Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: Denford Starturn(5) PC to Mach3

« on: September 29, 2013, 12:39:41 PM »

Cheers Hood,

I will try to PM him too

2

General Mach Discussion / Denford Starturn(5) PC to Mach3

« on: September 29, 2013, 10:25:14 AM »

Hi Guys,
 
Has anyone got any idea on how to convert this machine using Mach3?

Is it a case of total rebuild of control box and chase the wires back?

Or as simple of finding what wire went where on the multi wire plug connector and connecting to a break out board.

It has a 8 tool turret too and would like to get this going on it too.

It's in very good condition and hope to get it running to train my son on CNC turning.

My CNC milling machine is one I built myself and working very well.

Mel

3

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: My cnc machine

« on: April 02, 2009, 06:02:26 PM »

Hi there,

Magnificent machine, well done. Also sticking at to complete it.

What performance are you getting from it?
1, Spindle speeds
2, depth of cuts and feed rates.
3, Size of cutters you can use.
4, How rigid is it.
5, Does it ring when you cut aluminiums and steels.

Thanks

Mel

4

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: how the engavring for plastic

« on: April 01, 2009, 05:17:02 PM »

Hi there,

I done quite a bit of engraving on various materials.

The main problem people have is that the spindle speed is too fast.
Whist engraving material such as mild steel, aluminium and brass the key is to have a medium to high spindle speed with plenty of coolant to flush out swarf.
On acrylics, acetals and PVC the melting point of this material is very low. Just imagine the heat generated from the tool friction itself. it gets hot quite quickly and then this heat is transfered to the plastic surface. This then only melts the material instead of cutting it.

On acrylics and acetal plastics I run a speed of approx 1500 rpm to 2000 rpm with coolant.
While on PVC plastic I reduce this speed to about 750 rpm also with coolant.
Feed rates vary on the complexity of engraving. I usaully run at about 60 to 100 mm/min.

Also tooling counts too. You could spend alot of money for bespoke engaving tools or use small ball nose cutters along with small spot drills.
I use dia 1mm to 2mm ball noses or use up to dia 3mm spot drills. It saves alot of money on tooling and results are very good to excellent.

Try it out, see what results you get. You will be pleased.
If you need any more info, be my guest and contact me.

Mel

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: uk suppliers of cnc motors

« on: June 18, 2008, 04:31:09 PM »

Hi,

I have used these suppliers.

ArcEuroTrade                           Very Good Service. Good value for money.

Motion Control Products             Very Good service and support. You name what you are after or if you don't know they help. Mixture of Electronic and Mechanical products.
                                             
DIYCNC                                    Excellent Service and support. Just started using them, very experienced in electronics.

If you have any problems or just get stuck where to go next this forum is this best one I have seen and used.

You will have to shop around if budget is tight.

Any problems or you need pointing in the right direction you can contact me or put it on the forum for international help.

Hope this is of any help for you.

Regards

Mel

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Explanation of "Charge Pump" needed

« on: June 17, 2008, 08:26:37 AM »

My charge pump is simple.

Switch on CNC mill all is dead.

Switch on the PC and start up Mach3. All is still dead.

Press the space bar and all comes to life.

The whole board is dead until reset button is pressed. Pin 1 is still spare and can be used to wire up extra boards when needed.

www.diycnc.co.uk is where I purchased mine from. All for £14.00. Wire up a power supply to it, in my case a 24V supply.

Red led off for dead board, press the space bar LED lights up and away you go.

Mel

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Drilling code

« on: April 25, 2008, 05:38:52 PM »

Yep.

Probably the best one out the lot.

I have seen others but none as informative as this one.

Just need more time to post more, I am developing a new CNC milling machine from scratch, hopefully might be able to sell it once done.

Currently designing high power control box. This will be available soon.

Mel

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: Drilling code

« on: April 25, 2008, 05:29:40 PM »

Bedfordshire, I'm 45miles from London.

Smack in the middle of Milton Keynes, Luton and Aylesbury.

Mel

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: Drilling code

« on: April 25, 2008, 05:24:22 PM »

Sorry didn't see your location there, I must be tired.

Mel

10

General Mach Discussion / Re: Drilling code

« on: April 25, 2008, 05:20:40 PM »

Hi there,

Yep, it does work on simulation. I will try this tomorrow morning on the machine.

Being in the UK its nearly time for bed for me.

Thanks

Mel