Messages

1331

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool Offset Macro...

« on: August 21, 2016, 04:35:06 AM »

Its just one of the really awkward bits to do i guess, I found the whole thing very educational, having a 300kg boiler on the bed of a Bridgeport really focuses the attention on clamping Or milling the centres of 48" rear wheels, 24" main gears....Happy days. I can't believe I even bought a massive horizontal mill just to cut gear teeth!

But, in the long run, if having some difficult bits pre-cut gets another engine in the build then it's all good;)

1332

General Mach Discussion / Re: G31 alternative

« on: August 21, 2016, 04:26:21 AM »

Can you not bring the electrical stuff on bit by bit and measure the leakage at each stage?

1333

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool Offset Macro...

« on: August 21, 2016, 04:23:54 AM »

Yes Roger, i have discovered the easy-edit nature already

I could have made good use of CNC years back - things like making expansion links for traction engines - in the manual world this means making jigs and contraptions for milling massive curve radii - long chunks of plate on pivots and a rotary table under one end, hours to set up, sometimes a whole day, just to mill a slot and a couple of curves - this would be a doddle with CNC. Many new builders now get these parts wire eroded or water jet cut.

1334

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool Offset Macro...

« on: August 21, 2016, 04:17:59 AM »

Single-ended encoder signals in - you may need pull-up resistors there.

Cheers
Roger

Nope - just checked the manual and it outputs a voltage signal, resistors built-in

1335

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool Offset Macro...

« on: August 21, 2016, 04:00:19 AM »

All good stuff, i did see the collar idea on the mini-tooling for the engraver;)

I've got 12 ER32 chucks a couple of weldon holders which i don't really like, and my favourite Clarkson Autolok - this is useful because the location method of the tool makes any tool repeatable as they are pulled against a pip in the chuck that locates the centre-drilling in the tool end, only works on threaded tooling though.

I think I will have enough to get going now, this has been a real eye-opener so far, you never realise when being manual-only how much needs to be done to convert to even basic CNC.

Need to make an R8 tool rack now though, usually just keep them in a drawer but needing to be numbered changes that.

There is also the TTS/ER25 holders I have on the watch list - these would be great for drills. The main down-side with R8 is the length of the tool, I will have to program the table to go max Y++ at tool-change  to allow me to get the tool in and out easily, luckily not a problem with CNC

1336

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool Offset Macro...

« on: August 20, 2016, 10:26:37 AM »

Found this in the lathe this afternoon, not much but it's a start;)

Once upon a time it was a mandrel for turning traction engine big-end bearings, now its an R8 socket mount

1337

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool Offset Macro...

« on: August 20, 2016, 08:05:25 AM »

Thanks for the thoughts Roger, appreciated, but the setter really is a neat accessory in this instance, the ability to change tools and reset in a matter of seconds is good too as i could only afford one batch of ER32 chucks at present, I chose the bigger '32 series as i wanted to keep the difference between the height of the Haimer and the range of tools i have to a minimum as i have limited Z travel on the Bridgeport.

If i can get it all going for a couple of quid then its a no-brainer really.

I will still need the G31 basic TOM routine for the engraving spindle though , but that does work ok so no worries there.

1338

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool Offset Macro...

« on: August 20, 2016, 07:58:28 AM »

Yeah, i can see the appeal of the setter, just need to get the parts in but i can start by building the mechanical parts now.

With the G31 idea, i just like to know why things do what they do, i don't like being beaten by the system In theory it should work but something is just not so with it. I think i have expended enough time on it now though so will have to brush it under the bench.

As i said before, the thought of NOT having to G31 with tools in a powerful (if weakly built) spindle is very appealing now, and if that IC works and the CSMIO plays ball then the total cost of the setter will be £3.90 so well within budget

1339

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool Offset Macro...

« on: August 20, 2016, 07:38:32 AM »

Nice stuff, i think this one will be ok on vero board mounted near the encoder and using a socket, keep it simple;)

Had another mess with the G31 routine and it certainly did nothing to enhance my trust factor!

I wanted to try after setting Z dro to zero but it made no difference.

It was repeatable but wrong, no idea why or where the numbers are originating really, and if i can get the height setter working i really won't care, but it is baffling to say the least.

1340

General Mach Discussion / Re: Tool Offset Macro...

« on: August 20, 2016, 04:02:17 AM »

Thanks,

just found this from Hood in the past on his Beaver Mill, looks like it really is that simple.

https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=21149.0;attach=29905;image

The encoder only has 1m lead on it so that can be shortened a bit, got a chip on its way, already got vero board and plenty of caps etc, sounds like a project coming on