Machsupport Forum
General CNC Chat => Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) => Topic started by: mc on September 21, 2013, 07:36:46 PM
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Whilst lounging about on holiday last month, this popped up on the radar
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5454/9861412773_6a1ddb06ed_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/9861412773/)
New Toy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/9861412773/) by mc_mtb (http://www.flickr.com/people/mc_mtb/), on Flickr
Once back from holiday, I had been planning to order all the bits to get my Matchmaker mill up and running, then look at getting something bigger to replace my little Conect lathe, however this Cyclone happened to pop-up just before I ordered anything.
My main reason for purchasing it, is it's a 35mm through hole version, which ties in nicely with my future plans. It also comes with a 6 position toolchanger.
Initially I was going to go a for a quick retrofit using a PLCM-E3 controller coupled with the PLCM-B1 BOB as the BOB is 24V tolerant, so connecting everything would of been reasonably straight forward, with the only other items needed being a couple stepper drivers, a bridge rectifier, and a big capacitor to give me a power supply for the steppers, however the PLCM stuff was out of stock in the UK with a lead time of two weeks. Also some reading up that the PLCM doesn't support threading, and all english pages disappearing from their website put me of using it.
Instead I've opted for a bit more involved retrofit, using the Dynomotion KFlop+Kanalog I had already bought for the mill, and fitting servos.
Here's the control cabinet prior to delivery -
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2833/9861320395_bcf457dd54_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/9861320395/)
Electrics as Delivered (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/9861320395/) by mc_mtb (http://www.flickr.com/people/mc_mtb/), on Flickr
The original setup used an Optimised Controls rack fitted with a Eurostep controller, and rack mount Parker SD15 drives.
I spent some time today removing the old rack along with the wiring I know I won't need, and getting the Kanalog and servo drives mounted in place. I also managed to get an extra single phase contactor for the servo drives in place and connected into the E-Stop controlled supply.
As of this evening, this is how the control cabinet sits-
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5345/9861364796_ea52067ecf_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/9861364796/)
Out with the old, in with the new (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/9861364796/) by mc_mtb (http://www.flickr.com/people/mc_mtb/), on Flickr
I'll hopefully start getting things wired up tomorrow.
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Look forward to see the progress on this, always good to see another lathe :)
Hood
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I got as far as getting the 240V input/switch panel made today, and power from the main contactor to the drivers. I need to go shopping for some heavier wire to get the contactor connected to the inlet socket. I'm aiming to get started on swapping the stepper motors for the servos tomorrow, which will involve a bit bracket modification on the Z-axis to allow for the change in pulley size.
Hood, I'll probably be racking your brain at some point regarding the Toolchanger.
In fact, I'll do it just now!
I'm going for having it PLC controlled over Modbus, however I'm not sure on how best to handle interlocking it. I was thinking of having a ToolChanger OK signal from the PLC into the KFlop, which goes low if there is any fault (i.e. the toolchanger becomes unlocked for some reason), or if the current position doesn't match the commanded position. The only issue I can see with that, is I'd need to make Mach stop in case of a fault, yet ignore things during a toolchange.
So I'm thinking have two signals into the KFlop. One for faults, and one to signal a toolchange is complete.
I could check tool change is ok over modbus, however that would involve continual checking, and at somepoint I'll be looking to add some controls via modbus, and don't want to be using the modbus too much.
I know you use PLCs for toolchangers, but how are you making sure things stop if there's a fault?
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Just a quick update.
Things are progressing, but a real job and sideline jobs are keeping me away from getting this finished.
I've got all the new electical bits mounted and the power wiring almost complete. The new pulleys and mounting brackets are just about complete, with only a few holes left to be drilled and tapped.
I'm aiming to get the control wiring mostly done this week, so I can test the servos before I bolt them on, then that just leaves the tool changer and tooling up.
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I got started on the KFlop and servo wiring today, which is going reasonably well. Took a quick photo before I gave up for the night -
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5329/10127452623_e0bf49b0e8_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/10127452623/)
Progressing (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/10127452623/) by mc_mtb (http://www.flickr.com/people/mc_mtb/), on Flickr
And here's the shiny 240V input panel-
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3827/10127473843_0569d5e6ed_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/10127473843/)
Almost professional (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/10127473843/) by mc_mtb (http://www.flickr.com/people/mc_mtb/), on Flickr
(don't look too closely, as I got carried away with the filing and filed a corner I shouldn't of!)
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Servos work!
Took a bit head scratching with the instructions to figure out all the required settings, but they're now working under KFlop control. Still got to add in the fault relays/wiring, and attach them to the lathe, but they spin.
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Looks like its coming along :)
Hood
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Managed to get the Z-axis motor bolted on during the week, along with various bits of wiring. I ran the auto-tuning for it today which shaked things about a bit, but not anywhere near as much as hitting the step button in the KFlop step response screen. I had meant to hit the move button, but clicked the wrong button, which resulted in moving the servo motor a quarter turn and back again as quickly as possible.
I went to connect in the home sensors, but turns out they're NAMUR output which means there's no easy way to connect them into the KFlop, so I'll need to order some new ones.
I got the spindle wired up today, and tested it. Spins up nicely, however the encoder doesn't appear to output B signals, just A and Z despite the label and wiring having the full compliment. I'll need to get a scope on the extra wires and see what's happening. I'm not too bothered about the lack of B, it's just I'll need to figure out how to set-up the KFlop to handle it.
Also spent some time removing all the remaining extra bits and wiring, and the cabinet is looking neater already -
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5442/10254736865_20723ecd7f_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/10254736865/)
Looking Neater (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/10254736865/) by mc_mtb (http://www.flickr.com/people/mc_mtb/), on Flickr
I started to finish of the X-axis motor mount, but can't find a suitable tap, so I can't get the X-axis bolted on until that turns up.
And I'm still waiting for the additional IO module for the PLC to turn up.
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I've managed to get the new home sensors wired in. I still need to test/adjust them, but they're both in ready to go.
The X-axis servo is now bolted up, and ready to go.
All wiring outwith the control cabinet is now in place. It's just a case of securing the servo wiring, bolting the Z+ limit switch (the home switch is mounted onto the switch block) back on, and putting the various covers back on.
I'm still waiting for the additional IO module for the PLC so I can get the tool changer wired in, but the majority of the wiring is in place already for that. It's just a case of connecting up the turret sensors/control cable and the contactors.
Other than that, I just need to finish wiring in the servo fault relays so the drives all stop on a fault, and connect the KFlop enable relay into the E-stop circuit so nothing powers up until the KFlop has booted.
Nothing much will happen this week though, as I'm away until friday on a training course.
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What kind of PLC are you using?
Hood
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One of the Automation Direct Click PLCs.
Originally picked them for cheapness, but miscounted the number of inputs/ouputs needed, so had to buy one of the additional IO modules. One feature I skipped over during the orignal decision to use a Click PLC, is the Kanalog has a connector designed to connect directly to the Click plus comes with sample code to talk to the Click.
The order is late as apparently the courier has lost the last UK distributor order, so everything has had to be reordered.
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Have looked at the clicks and I know Brett used one on a changer, he was integrating for an oem, and he likes them. I know the DL06's so I tend to use them however on a new build I am helping a friend with (Beaver TC15 Lathe) there will not be a PLC for the toolchange as the controller will be the IP-A and thus checking the turret is where its meant to be will be easy enough.
Is that Lamonde? They dont seem to stock much, everything seems to be ordered from the USA or at least thats the way it seems as it always takes at least a week before you get anything.
Hood
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The IO module finally turned up today.
I've got it in and mostly wired up. The turret locked/thermal switches still need to be connected, and the Click to the Kflop (2 IOs and the serial cable), which I'm aiming to get done over the weekend.
After that, the main thing left is dealing with all the programming. I need to get the ladder logic finished, finish tuning the servos, sort the C code for the KFlop, and get the KFlop talking to Mach.
I'm considering switching the servos to torque mode, as most of the latest debates I've seen about Torque via Speed seem to say Torque gives better performace.
Yes, I ordered the Click via Lamonde. I had to wait for the main module to come from the states aswell.
I could of done the turret directly through the KFlop, however I would of had to make an interface board to make use of the low voltage inputs on the addtional header. I'm going to use the lathe as a bit of a test bed to see how well the KFlop works with a PLC for extending ins and outs, as I'm still undecided on how to handle the matchmaker as it's going to need a good bit more IO. I had been considering some custom arduino boards with modbus and 24V IO, but a couple Clicks may make life a bit easier.
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Nice machine and build! Waiting forward to seeing running.
Dan
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Yes 5v is a real PITA, had to do the same with the SS/ESS and use a PLC to get buttons etc into Mach, CSMIO solved all these issues for me and the IP-A is exactly what I had wanted for many years from Greg.
Regarding torque v speed mode the debate has been going on for a long time and the favoured method seems to swing back and forth but from what I have seen all the main players use speed mode. If I get some time I may change the Chiron to torque to see if there is a difference, suppose the only way to tell which is better would be to see how low you can get the following error for a given set of parameters.
Hood
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Finished most of the wiring tonight. I've got 4 stray wires that I need to deal with. One is definetly the lubrication low switch although I may of disconnected it's partner when removing the old controller so that makes two, but I've no idea what the other two are :-/
I still need to tidy up the tool changer wiring as I just used the existing lengths to make sure it was all going to work, and deal with all the other loose odds and ends like getting all the wiring into the trunking.
I grabbed a quick photo with the phone before i headed in tonight-
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3710/10500394085_c744f886c5_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/10500394085/)
Getting Tidier (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/10500394085/) by mc_mtb (http://www.flickr.com/people/mc_mtb/), on Flickr
I've just remembered I still need to find out why the spindle encoder isn't outputting the B pulses.
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After several hours trying to figure out the ladder logic for the turret, I have come to the conclusion I hate ladder logic.
I can appreciate it's uses, but what could take a couple lines of reasonably simple code in a microprocessor, takes far too many rungs and holding variables and contacts. Plus it's a nightmare to move things around when you need to change things. I'm probably not helping myself by programming for the turret to spin both directions, but even the locking for one direction gets a bit complicated.
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I think it all depends how your brain works, I find ladder much much easier than writing code, others are the opposite, obviously you fall into the latter category :)
Hood
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Ok, I think I've finally cracked the ladder logic. The proof will be if it actually works...
I still need to add a couple additional timers to trigger a fault and disable the motor/solenoid if the turret fails at any point during the move.
The annoying thing is, I got an email from Dynomotion this morning telling me all about their new Konnect IO expanding board, which would of given me more than enough IO to handle what the PLC is handling. If only it had of been available a couple weeks ago when I ordered the PLC!
Only thing I'm not too keen on is the price of the Konnect as it's $199, which puts it at roughly twice the price of a CS IO module for an identical number of IO's.
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Just looked at the Konnect and it has double the I/O of the CS-Lab module so not so expensive, actually a bit cheaper.
Hood
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I noticed that earlier when I was comparing prices for a complete package (mostly out of curiousity), and realised that CS mention the IOs for the main modules on the IO module page. The CS has the benefit the main modules have more IO (32In/16Out) on the main modules compared with the Kanalog (only 8In/8Out that are 24V, along with 8 80V relay drivers).
Price wise there's not much between them. To get a Kflop with analog and comparable IOs to just a CS main module, CS is a bit cheaper, but if you then need a threading module, then Dynomotion is cheaper.
Anyway, I got the Click programmed. Then followed by a bit head scratching, and flipping all the logic in the position detection subroutine, the turret spins, locks, then starts spinning again :-\
I need to run through all the logic that calculates the move direction and number of positions, as if I request position 3, it always moves in reverse, stopping and locking at 1 and 5. I'm hoping it's just something simple in my code.
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The turret works!
Found a couple issues in the ladder that were causing the wrong move to be calculated, so fixed them and also added in rungs so it only attempts to move once for each toolchange attempt. I still need to add a couple time outs so the turret can't sit spinning endlessly if something goes wrong, but I'm happy the basics are now working.
I grabbed a quick vid - http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/10582127085/
Now onto configuring the KFlop, so it works with Mach, and can talk to the PLC.
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Cable trunking hides a multitude of sins :)
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3774/10679267344_6e6e927cbc_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/10679267344/)
Wiring Tidied (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/10679267344/) by mc_mtb (http://www.flickr.com/people/mc_mtb/), on Flickr
I've started modifying the basic lathe screenset to get a layout I'm happy with, and so it can handle the KFlop, as various buttons need to be changed so they notify the KFlop plugin, and the DROs changed so they read directly from the KFlop.
I'm also working on configuring the KFlop, and trying to decide how the various functions I need are going to be coded. I'm aiming to have the KFlop handle as much of the critical stuff as possible, and then just notify Mach when things havn't worked how they should. Things like halting everything when a Servo faults will be handled directly by the KFlop, along with talking to the PLC, and things like stopping when the door gets opened.
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After some input from Tom at Dynomotion, I've started on the KFlop initialisation code, and one thing he mentioned was for spindle feedback, KFlop has to receive full A & B quadrature input.
So I dug the oscilloscope out tonight, and after some probing, it turns out for the British Encoders encoder that Denford originally specced, British Encoders simply cut the B wires where they enter the encoder housing and never soldered them onto the encoder board. I've probed the board, and the signals are there, so it'll just be a case of figuring out what is the high and low (just need to find a datasheet for the differential driver chip as the tracks from the chip to the holes are nice and visible), and solder in the extra couple of wires, then we'll be good to go :)
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I now have a fully functional spindle encoder, after soldering in a couple extra wires, so the KFlop channel it's connected to actually increases and decreases when the spindle is moved.
Mach has now also been introduced to the loop.
Setting up the KFlop for basic use is actually pretty easy, and the instructions on the Dynomotion website cover the basics pretty well. The hardest part is setting up all the output values, as it's a bit more involved than doing it in Mach alone. First you need to configure and tune the motors using the KMotion software, then copy those settings into an initialisation file that gets loaded when you hit Reset in Mach. You then need to configure the motor tuning in Mach.
One thing I discovered, is the lower settings in either the KFlop or Mach will take precedence. Provided Mach is set slower, it's not an issue, however if the KFlop settings are slower than those in Mach, the Mach DROs will show the motion as complete, even though the KFlop is still processing the motion. On single moves, that's not an issue, however during programmes it would eventually cause the motion planner to overflow, so it's something to be aware of.
Now I've got the basics sorted, the next couple steps will be modifying the Mach lathe screen to add LEDs for the servo ready/fault signals, and also adding the KFlop code to handle servo faults/estop activation.
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Things are now progressing, after a few issues that took longer that I'd hoped to solve.
The major headache of the past week has been getting the KFlop to talk to the PLC using modbus, and retrieve the information I needed.
First up the Kanalog port is numbered backwards, so what should of needed a straight through cable, actually needed a crossover cable. Once this was realised, I just had to cut the cable and crimp on a new RJ connector, and the sample script provided with the KMotion software burst into life and worked flawlessly.
Then there was the case of figuring out how to read and write to the correct Holding Registers within the PLC, which I only figured out after sitting and going through the Address Picker within the Click software to figure out exactly the sample script was working, and realising you can access the inputs and outputs using two different methods.
Once I'd managed to get past those issues, I managed to get the KFlop reading the current tool position, and writing a new commanded tool position.
The spindle is now setup as a closed loop servo (albeit a very slow reacting one due to still being VFD controlled), so the set speed is highly accurate.
I did have an issue with the spindle reversing direction whenever a new speed was set with it already running, which Tom at Dynomotion explained was due to Mach not issuing a direction command to the plugin on a speed change, so he quickly sent me a modified sample script that stored the previous direction command.
I've also got the homing routines working, so they use the proximity switches followed by the servo index.
I'm now working on getting everything working together,, and getting it all combined into the one initialisation file that gets loaded via Mach.
I've so far got most of the code done for the KFlop monitoring, where an E-Stop has to be activated. For this I've essentially got two levels of E-Stop. First there is the physical circuit that triggers when a limit or an e-stop button is activated, and second there is the monitored circuit for things like a servo fault (the servos are connected and configured to do a fast stop if any fault) or tool changer issue, where the KFlop will stop things and notify Mach.
As Mach can only accept one E-Stop input, all E-Stop control is ultimately mapped to a single virtual bit within the KFlop, that Mach monitors just like a normal input pin.
Next up is the tool changer, which will require several parts. First up the macro within Mach needs to notify and transfer the requested position to the KFlop, then the KFlop has to transfer that position to the PLC, followed by the Tool Change allowed output being activated, then once the TC Ok input is activated again, I need to read the position back into Mach. I don't really need to read the position back into Mach, but I can use it to avoid commanding a tool change when one isn't actually needed.
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Sounds like a lot of work to get things set up but it should be worth it in the end :)
Hood
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It is, but that's probably more to do with lots of things being new to me, and this isn't exactly a simple build.
For example if the Konnect board had been available a month or so earlier, then I could of avoided the pain of adding a PLC and modbus to the mix, and all the coding could of been done directly in the KFlop.
If you were just going for a simple machine using step/dir, then setting up the KFlop isn't much more involved than anything else as you can access all the in/out via ports and pins. Just use the standard init.c file, and you're pretty much good to go.
Although having said that, I'm probably still going to use a PLC for the tool changer on the Matchmaker, as I don't fancy running 30+ wires from the tool changer cabinet around to the main cabinet! Just a few wires for power and modbus seems much more appealing...
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Although having said that, I'm probably still going to use a PLC for the tool changer on the Matchmaker, as I don't fancy running 30+ wires from the tool changer cabinet around to the main cabinet! Just a few wires for power and modbus seems much more appealing...
That is one thing I like about the CS-Lab modules, they connect together via CANBus. I have the MPG unit and an extra I/O unit in the control panel of the Chiron which allows me to connect all my switches and MPG etc with short wires and then all I have to do is run a CANbus cable back to the main electrical cabinet.
Hood
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The issue is a KFlop+Kanalog+Konnect work out about £250 cheaper than a CSMIO/IP-A+MPG+ENC+IO(x2), assuming all the tool changer requirements could be handled by a single CS-IO. That £250 can buy a couple PLCs, and several expansion modules. I won't make any decisions until I've got a full IO requirement list done for the tool changer.
Anyway, getting back on topic, I've got a new screen, macropump and some new KFlop code to go test.
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The big benefit I see to the kflop and its addons is its versatility but that is also its greatest detraction. If you are comfortable with C++, or whatever it is, then it will work well, if you just want to hook things up and have them work then its a poor choice.
Hood
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Progress had stopped on this due to a couple other more pressing jobs, plus I was still dithering over how best to make the required toolholders for the turret.
However I've added to the Denford collection in the form of a Novamill, and the first toolholder has had the underside machined. The critical size came out perfect being a nice tight fit in the turret, so I just need to drill & counterbore the mounting holes, face the sides, then get it drilled & bored to size. Oh, and make several more.
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What size boring bars can the lathe take?
How you going to bore them?
Hood
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Whatever I can fit in the holders!
The original holder drawing states a 22mm drilled hole, finished to 25mm fitted to the lathe turret, which suits me. I can get sleeves for whatever boring bars I'm using, which are 8 and 10mm just now, and I can also use the same ER holders as I made for the Connect which avoids lots of custom holders for various drills.
I'll drill them so far on the lathe itself, then swap them to the big pillar drill to drill them to whatever drill I have near 22, then refit them and bore them to size using a boring head in the lathe chuck. That way I can get 6 done per borind head adjustment :-)
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I did similar, tried using a reamer but it wasnt the best, probably because the reamer was half knackered but got a decent job with the boring head.
Will you not manage to poke the hole through at the 22mm on the lathe?
Hood
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I'm not sure if the spindle and Z-axis would have enough power for a big drill.
It's only a 2.0KW motor at 2450rpm, so at big drill speeds I'm not sure if will have the torque, plus the Z-axis gearing is on the conservative side for force.
According to HSMadvisor, a 22mm drill should be aprox. 850RPM requiring about 0.9KW, and assuming the spindle motor is roughly constant torque, at 850rpm it's only capable of 0.7KW. However that doesn't allow for a pilot hole...
I'll run the figures through my more advanced spreadsheet at some point, as it's always worth a try!
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worst that can happen is you fault things and have to remove and drill on the pillar :)
Hood
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I know. Still has the challenge of securely mounting a MT taper drill in the lathe though!
Bit off topic, but what version of Dolphin do you have for mill?
I've got a 3D profile saved as a STL that I'd like to machine as a gift for a mate, but I'd like to do it with a custom toolpath to get the cutlines going a certain way, and was wondering if Dolphin Pro would be able to acheive it.
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Probably get enough grip on the end of the drill before the taper, have done that plenty of times but think I may have used a capstan sleeve when I did mine.
Its just the standard Dolphin I have, not the 3D, never used it for Mill at all, only Lathe. Now using BobCAD and it seems nice from what I have done so far in it, again mostly Lathe stuff.
Hood
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I'm using CamBam for the mill, as I just didn't get on with the Dolphin trial, however I'd like a tool path that CamBam can't currently create.
I'll be in the market for lathe CAM early next year (I need time for the finances to recover after this retro, and buying the Novamill!), so it would be good to hear what you think of the options.
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Dolphin Lathe was pretty good but BobCAD is definitely way ahead of it. There have been big changes in BobCAD in the last few versions and Lathe actually got a big update in V26 which was nice but still a few things not quite right. More annoyances than problems though.
Hood
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Progress.
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2874/12883127773_91bb8e63a8_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/12883127773/)
Covers on and blocks ready for boring (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/12883127773/) by mc_mtb (http://www.flickr.com/people/mc_mtb/), on Flickr
I had a bit of an extended run on needing to make bits, so had been suffering from a chicken and egg situation, in that the little lathe takes too much time/manual input to make the bits, so I've not had time to get this up and running, and then when I have had time, things have stalled due to needing some stupid part I should of ordered weeks ago.
The tool holders have now been milled to the correct height, and the other faces tidied up to look a bit neater. Took a couple weeks to get hold of suitable length bolts, as they need to be a specific length, and the supplier sent them to the wrong address.
I was going to risk just relying on the grub screws to hold the X servo pulley in place, however after I realised just how much effort it takes to get all the slideway covers off/on, and that I really want to minimise knocking any of the tooling of line by anything slipping, I ordered up a suitable broach set, and took the pulley back of.
Everything is now back on how it should be.
I'll take the Z servo pulley of and broach it at some point, but I'm in no rush as it's far easier to get into and not as critical if it does slip.
I've got a dedicated computer setup now, so have been working on the final coding, during which I discovered an issue with the PLC ladder causing the toolchanger to go into an endless spin if an invalid position was requested. That's now sorted, so that it shouldn't do anything if an invalid position is requested, and if it does somehow go into an endless spin, it should stop after 10 seconds (I could probably reduce this, as the maximum change time should be sub 3 seconds).
Thanks to Hood, I've also added some extra lines to the tool change macro so any program should halt with a warning message if an invalid position is requested during a program.
Main things I have left to do are bore the tool holders, and properly tune the servos. I done a quick tune earlier, and have the X-axis holding sub 50 pulses, and the z about 14 pulses, but I think X should be better.
I also need to make a proper stand, but that won't stop it working!
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Good to see the previous owner drew you some info on axis direction ;D
Looking good, you will love the turret.
Hood
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X axis following error is now sub 10 counts.
After not getting much improvement in Speed mode, I tried Torque mode, but despite trying all sorts of PID values, the results were even worse. So swapped it back to Speed mode, and with a bit filtering and further PID adjusting, managed to get a reasonably good result. 10 counts works out at 0.0025mm of error, so I'm pretty happy with that.
I also had an issue with the spindle VFD, in that it started tripping the RCD while I was in the middle of changing settings in the servo drive. I just turned it off so I could tune the servo. I took the cover of to check for anything obvious, but other than lots of dust it all visually looked good, so gave it a blow out and it's working again. I'm hoping it was just the dust and a bit dampness causing the problem.
Just got the Z-axis to tune, and then I might get to cut some metal with it.
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Last weekend I managed to get everything pretty well tuned, got the tool holders bolted on, and managed to get them drilled out to 20mm before the spindle ran out of torque, beforing swapping to the boring head.
I got to around 24mm before I had to sharpen the boring, then proceded to rezero things, and command a tool change without moving the Z-axis back to clear the tool holders. All I'll say is the tool changer won, and I now have another paperweight :-\
Being the last boring bar long enough to get full depth through the holders, I ordered some new ones, however they've still not shown up.
I needed 1/2", and given 99% of the time now I only use insert tooling, I found that Chronos do a 1/2" boring bar set that take inserts, so thought I may aswell give them a go.
However I should of known Chronos are still hopeless at sending things out in a timely manner, so I'm still waiting. I used to use them a few years ago, but got fedup with them taking four days to even bother sending the stuff out, even if I'd paid for express delivery, and it looks like they've managed to downgrade their dispatch times even further.
I'm a bit annoyed because finishing up the tool holders is all that's need to be able to get the lathe making parts.
I may just bite the bullet and order up a boring head that takes 12mm bars, as I've already got a couple 12mm insert bars lying around.
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Never had that issues from Chronos, always been next day for me even with just standard post, then again not ordered too much from them, only maybe 4 or 5 times. RDG on the other hand...........
As long as the toolchanger won thats the main thing, having a draw could turn out expensive ;D
Hood
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The tool holders are finally bored!
I gave up waiting for Chronos (the excuses have started, and it was meant to be dispatched on Tuesday...), so ordered up a 12mm boring head from RDG which arrived next day, and got the toolholders bored inbetween keeping the Conect running today.
Just need to get them drilled and tapped for the lock screws now.
Then I can get some drills mounted, along with a boring bar and get some more ER collet holders machined up to mount all the drills I'll need.
I can't wait to get it up and running fully, and only have to deal with loading stock, instead of continually changing tools!
And yeah, I'm glad the tool changer won!
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I have a few more of these Cyclones if anyone is interested
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I have a few more of these Cyclones if anyone is interested
Where are you / they located ?
Thanks,
Russ
:)
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Where are you / they located ?
Wales.
Angel tech, any 8 position turrets on them?
I'll live with my 6 position, but am curious to see an 8 position.
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I have a few more of these Cyclones if anyone is interested
Where are you / they located ?
Thanks,
Russ
:)
Cardiff, South Wales
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Where are you / they located ?
Wales.
Angel tech, any 8 position turrets on them?
I'll live with my 6 position, but am curious to see an 8 position.
yes they have 8 station turrets
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It lives!
First job were the ER collet holders to fit the tool holders -
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5129/13436004323_bf9d3a4cba_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/13436004323/)
ER20 collet holder (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/13436004323/) by mc_mtb (http://www.flickr.com/people/mc_mtb/), on Flickr
Ran it's first batch of paying parts earlier, and things went well. Still need to tweak the parts files to make use of the additional spindle power and speed, however being able to load the bar and walk away until it stops is good. Just need an auto-chuck and bar feeder now...