Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Drivertest ???

« on: December 08, 2008, 12:31:18 PM »

Ha, Idiot.... try showing all file types .... (exe etc files hidden when kiddies play at weekends)   

It must be Monday!!

2

General Mach Discussion / Drivertest ???

« on: December 08, 2008, 12:21:56 PM »

Stupid question .... downloaded Mach3 to a new PC ....Next ... run drivertest as found in Mach directory ......Hmmm not there so where is it??

TiA
GC

3

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Afew things I have made

« on: October 08, 2008, 07:36:07 PM »

My former Troop Sgt. used to fire the 2" mortar over his head, lying on his back, knee raised with the baseplate resting on his thigh.  (the damn things were only any good for para-illumination)

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: First Project ... ALL help and advice greatly accepted

« on: October 08, 2008, 07:21:34 PM »

Cheers Hood ....

Now I don't know which way is up!! (The joys of a knowledgeable forum)

I am going to proceed with the Mk1 plan and keep the lathe. Work out what electricial goodies I will need ... 3 Steppers, Drivers for the motors, PC, the encoders you mentioned . . . . . . . . . . . .any idea on what size motors?? I do not wish to be underpowered.

Oh just one small silly question (then I promise I shall go away)  How does one control the Lathe spindle speed??? Hegner is a 1hp 3phase with variable speed over 3 ranges (belt and 3 pulleys)  70 - 3800rpm, plus reverse all running off 240v 13a

T

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: First Project ... ALL help and advice greatly accepted

« on: October 08, 2008, 05:44:03 PM »

Thanks Ian,

I admit you do have a valid point re the big metal lathe but I already have the Hegner and the credit crunch has taken hold of my wallet!! Even more so since I managed to trash my wrist, which, even with the Orthopods plates and screws has failed to return to any form of usefull mobility.

Dust extraction is not a problem, I have a very efficient system (I did a lot of flat work with MDF a while ago).

I may have to re think the whole idea as I now realise Mach may not take to kindly to halting a cycle. I can feel a 'thinking night' coming on.

Tim

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: First Project ... ALL help and advice greatly accepted

« on: October 08, 2008, 06:51:50 AM »

OK, got that ... and yes, the way you put it, encoders would seem to be the way forward for the sort of thing I am looking for.

Thanks, that's one less thing to overcome.

Regards,

Tim

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: First Project ... ALL help and advice greatly accepted

« on: October 08, 2008, 06:35:07 AM »

Hi,

Thanks for the prompt reply, I understand what you say in the physical sense but encoders???  mpg???      Ah, you guessed it total and complete gibberish to my newbe ears.

Tim

ps now feverishly googling all sorts of stuff.

8

General Mach Discussion / First Project ... ALL help and advice greatly accepted

« on: October 08, 2008, 05:27:20 AM »

Hi Folks,

Firstly I hope this is posted in the correct section, if not .....sorry!!!   

OK,  My task is to convert (if possible) a Hegner HDB200XL ( http://hegner.co.uk/system/ ) wood lathe to CNC and Mach3. The linear slides, bearings etc are no problem. I am hoping to fit a rotary table style mechanism where the tool post would reside on a metal lathe to allow for undercutting of rims etc. I would also like to incorporate the use of a powered cutting tool e.g.  Kress 1050.

I wand to be able to produce the standard range of goodies i.e. Hollow forms, Bowls Vases, Goblets, Platters, Pens, Furniture legs etc. etc. etc.


The thoughts bugging me at present are.

Is Mach Turn suitable for this task?

Does anybody here have any experience of such a conversion?

Can I have Manual Control at any time and if so how? As Wood is an organic product, right down to putting on the last coat of finish or whatever plans etc can change. Producing a CAD drawing and converting that drawing to a finished aluminium lump should be relatively straightforward, wood is a little different, hard spots, soft spots, voids, knots and even dormant bugs will be encountered. also what appears pleasing to the eye on a PC screen may not do so when the thing is sat in front of you. I would not want to have to write gazillions of lines of code to alter the sweep of a bowl rim but would prefer to take charge and finish it under manual control.

The initial idea was to run the ballscrew under the ways driving the 'Saddle' with the stepper tucked at one end away from most of the debris. However life would be a little difficult trying to turn a handwheel at the end of the lathe while trying to watch the cutting tip!! So any ideas on constructing the 'Saddle assembly' with a handwheel in the 'normal place' would be greatly welcomed.

Sorry its so long ...........

Thanks in advance.

Tim

9

General Mach Discussion / Stupid question

« on: June 04, 2008, 07:16:23 AM »

Greetings, Just a silly question.

How many functions can Mach control? As in max number of axis plus spindle control etc? I ask this as I am looking at the possibility of building a combined Lathe / Flatbed Router and can see no way round having less than 7 axis. The material to be machined is wood not metal and the dimensions are not small.

Thanks in advance  (and I do have a sense of humour so all comments are accepted).

Tim