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31

General Mach Discussion / Re: VB Is Laughing At Me....

« on: April 29, 2009, 03:09:57 AM »

Hi Ray,
I took a look thru your probing macros this evening - I like the general modularity.

I do have a question: I applaud the programming principal to save state on the way in and restore it on the way out of the low level macros. I see the code doing this for inc/abs mode and feed rate. However, the macros issue GO codes - which is modal change to the control - so the control will be in a G0 rapid state when the macrso exit (even if it was not when the macro was entered).

Is there a reason you did not grab the rapid/feed movement state up front and then also restore it on the way out?

Dave

32

VB and the development of wizards / Re: VB defines/header file?

« on: April 28, 2009, 08:00:36 PM »

Wow, that surprises me.

OK, I guess I'll roll my own list of constants to use in macros.
Thanks for the response.
Dave

33

VB and the development of wizards / VB defines/header file?

« on: April 27, 2009, 01:42:34 PM »

Hi,
I'm started to write some more macros and triggered my strong dislike for magic numbers in source code.
I'd just as soon use a set of names that are already in common use rather than invent names.

I think I remember seeing a post with a reference to a header file that defines names for all the mach DROS, LEDs etc. - but dang if I can find it now...

Is there a header file which is already in comon usage?
Can someone point me to such a critter?

Dave

34

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Smithy 1240 CNC and enclosure

« on: January 27, 2009, 11:09:46 PM »

Hi,
re the possible servo conversion... I'm just in the thinking stage on that one.
My design would be driven by the equipment I already have. I have a set of motors and encoders that I used on a prior knee mill that I converted to CNC. They are MCG DC servo motors, 2 850in-oz (X and Y) and one 1100 in-oz (Z).
First issue is that the motors I have are all N34 mounts and all the smithy mounts are N42.
Smithy needed the N42 for Z and then decided to use all N42 to save SKUs - they told me early mills were N34.

The Smithy N42 mounts are essentially mechanical interfaces that convert form a bolt pattern at the machine/table end to a N42 mount. They are deep enough to house the couplings that are used between the Steppers and the ball screw shafts.

Smithy made a couple of servo driven 1240s - but they direct couple the servos to the shafts - I'm not surprised they didn't find that satisfactory. I'm include in the design in a belt drive reduction to keep the servos in the desired RPM range (again I'd use the pulleys and belts I have). This does not look too hard on X and Z, but Y is a bit more of a challenge as the Y motor is under the column arch casting. So I'm thinking that a shaft and bearings to extend the Y shaft out behind the casting would be needed... that then involves clearance issues between the casting and the rear panel of the cool catch system that I built the enclosure on top of....

I expect this so be a longer term project - I thought about it some prior to purchase, and I'm convinced it's doable, but it's also not an immediate priority for me. Since the steppers do work, it's easy to put this off and use the mill as is for higher priority projects.

Dave

35

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Smithy 1240 CNC and enclosure

« on: January 25, 2009, 08:14:41 PM »

Ed,
He, he, No problem. I choose an R-8 machine on purpose as it lets me use all the r-8 tooling I had from the knee mill the 1240 replaced.
I actually started working on a pwr draw bar this weekend. I admit I'd love to have a full tool changer - but the expense and complexity is not justified by what I do as a hobby guy - but then I'd also love to have a Ferrari...

Dave

36

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Smithy 1240 CNC and enclosure

« on: January 25, 2009, 05:05:02 PM »

The mill itself is about 1200 lbs, the stand, wings, enclosure etc add around another 350 or so.
Dave

Quote from: Chaoticone on January 25, 2009, 04:51:28 PM

Very good job. Nice and clean.

How much does it weigh?

Brett

37

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Smithy 1240 CNC and enclosure

« on: January 25, 2009, 04:59:34 PM »

The vise in the pic is an Enco kurt copy that I've had for several years. I got spoiled using a real kurt in some CNC classes I took... so for xmas I bought myself a brand new kurt D688