Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Inter-Lock Question

« on: February 22, 2016, 07:27:24 AM »

Hello,
We are building a dual miter saw station with computer controlled miter stops. The movable stop on the left saw will be X axis and the stop on the right saw will be the y axis. Both saws will be set to opposite 45 degree miters. We are constructing this machine to cut aluminum extrusions to length for door frames. This station is to be about 24' when completed. Both saws will be controlled by Mach3 software. It will be similar to the one shown here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHXoMG2s5yE

Ours of course will be more more of a commercial nature in design. We will be using an R&P system for the miter saw stops.

My question is this: We will be using a pneumatic clamping system to hold down the extrusion as it being mitered. Once the hold-down is engaged on the work piece, is there any way to trigger a micro-switch so that the miter stop cannot be moved while the clamps are engaged. My concern is that accidental operator error could move the stop tighter against the clamped piece and stall and cause damage to the stepper motor.

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,
Brian

2

General Mach Discussion / Newbie Help

« on: February 08, 2016, 10:06:50 AM »

Hello!
Need help in automating our shop to aid in cutting aluminum extrusions to specific lengths.
Am looking to build single axis machine for a computer controlled miter saw stop.  Similar to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHXoMG2s5yE
I am very adept at metal working and computers, but some of the electronics are a bit baffling to me.

I want to use Mach3 to drive a LARGE stepper (around 900 oz or larger) with a R&P set-up on a rail about 120" long. I am using a high torque stepper so that when an extrusion is butted up against the fence with any force there is maximum resistance.

I prefer to use a touch screen set-up (Windows 7 32-bit) for operator ease. I intend to design a custom simplified user-friendly screen set for this build.
I need help in selecting a decent breakout-controller board and drivers for this project. Prefer parallel port setup if possible.
The steppers I am looking at draws about 7A peak so I'll need a driver with some serious current handling capabilities.
I've been looking on Ebay but all the choices really confuse me.

Please reply with any suggestions you might have. ANY help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Brian