Messages

1

Tempest Trajectory Planner / Re: Tempest Planning - Preliminary information and testing

« on: September 22, 2009, 07:42:48 AM »

Hi Art,

I have been away for quite some time but I am about to begin on a new project and I am trying to do some ketch up reading.

I am planning a cnc laser cutter. 100w co2 rf-pumped, yaskawa sigma 5 servos, I am leaning towards smooth-stepper or something else that Brian has on the back burner. 

I am planning on flying optics, super rigid really light. But I have been concerned about cv with the laser. I would also like to be able to vary the laser power with velocity.  My goal is REALLY smooth motion for a nice cut edge but I would also like to have decent speed.
Down the road I would also like to do raster engraving.

This is planned for sale and It is not just a hobby machine. I Think I am going to start ordering parts next week and begin the proto.

DO you see any advantages with this type of planner with laser?

chad
 

2

Mach Screens / Re: Haas Style screen?

« on: January 08, 2009, 11:08:55 AM »

Hi, I can also take some pics if you want. There is also some info in the haas manuals.
That being said I think copying the haas control would be a step backwards. There are some great thing about but some things can be done much easier.
There are a lot of hit F2 twice hit this, hit that. 
I think that time would be better spent drying to do a open source version of zealous's awesome ultimate screens. 
I really like them but $200 for a screen set that costs more than the program itself is silly. If it were 50 I would own it by now. Not saying it was not a huge amount of work and I really like them but the price is just too high.

Any way, Mach needs a face lift to make things make more sense.

chad

3

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: 5 Axis Mill (Trunion type), with Arm ATC, and Pallet changer control.

« on: January 07, 2009, 05:31:52 PM »

Sounds cool. Just a couple of questions.

How are you planning on handling the 5 axis cutter comp and tool length offset? Mach does not handle this yet. Just talked to Brian about it this morning and it is not going to happen any time soon. I have been hoping for 5 axis support for years. then there is the problem with the cam. There is still not a reasonably priced 5 axis cam package.

chad

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: Source of noise

« on: September 27, 2008, 01:28:29 AM »

Under File/General Logic config look for Debounce interval and set that to 1000 or so. This makes mach wait a bit after it sees a switch trigger to make sure it really is a switch hit and not just some noise.

chad

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: Problem with engraving single storke font

« on: September 27, 2008, 01:16:57 AM »

Cut all of your speeds in half and try that. If that doesn't work cut it in half again.
It looks like mach is sending commands faster than your machine can react.

Leave cv on.

chad

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: Need Help In Denver

« on: September 12, 2008, 12:52:47 PM »

HI I am in Denver.

hello I just looked at your website, and it looks like you already sell a CNC router is mach for one of these or are you planning on building your own?

What controller are you referring to?

Send me a pm and we can talk.

chad

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 and 5 axis?

« on: May 27, 2008, 05:44:11 AM »

Unfortunately not yet.

chad

8

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Chads new machine

« on: May 23, 2008, 06:16:43 AM »

Rich, Thanks for the kind words.

I certainly am not an engineer, although I did stay at a holiday inn last night. Any way this machine was a big learning experience for me.
I have been busy with cutting metal on the other machines but we are  planning on getting back on the big one.
I have started penciling revisions for version 2 and should start getting them into solid works soon. We have a full office premium seat and I have yet to touch simulation or cosmos yet.
Assuming I can figure out the other modules I then have to try to translate engineer numbers into something I can get my head around. Hopefully I can simulate out some of the big gotchas before I actually build it this time.
All in all the damn thing works pretty well for a first version. The second has lots of changes. AC servos, smooth stepper, get the 5 axis working correct, stiffened up everything, way faster rapids, rack and pinion, on and on.....

Darn it, now you have me thinking. Ok so this is what I would think would be needed to simulate a resonance please don't laugh too hard and correct me me when I make a fool out of myself.

1) 3d model everything, assign mass properties- done
2) apply a static load to the tool bit ( to simulate cutting force) I have no idea how to start to figure out how much force it takes to cut through mdf at a given flute quantity-diameter, rpm, ipm, wood density, depth/ cutter engagement.
3) assign waveform oscillation (sin?) to tool bit ( to simulate two flute cutter going through mdf) lets say 24k rpm so that would be 24k*2/60=800hz? fundamental?
4) Watch the pretty animated graphics from cosmos, scratch head.

Chad
 

9

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Chads new machine

« on: May 04, 2008, 02:11:59 PM »

machine looks great but got some basic questions for you.
I'm trying to do something similar (machining large molds and plugs)

-How did you picked up the required 10x12x4' machine work area?
except for aircraft part, I really cannot find any part enough large to require this size
Even if a part was big enough, with 5 axis it would be quite easy to create 2 molds to join together.

-do you have a cost breakdown somewhere you can share?

-why did you went with the "X axis motion" legs moving instead of fixed?
(aka why classic gantry over overhead gantry style)

thanks, math

We were making parts for our F1000 race cars. The goal was to make a new body, so the dimensions were chosen for that. We have made wings, diffusers, and under trays. The under tray used most of the cutting area so we were glad that it it was that big.

Cost: ~30k


We went with the moving gantry design because the space required for a moving table, roughly twice that of a moving gantry would not fit in our shop.

Chaoticone: lol I have been slowly working on the drawings and we are working on version 2. Now We just mach to support the 5 axis kinematics. Brian ??

Chad

10

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Chads new machine

« on: March 19, 2008, 11:44:01 PM »

Unfortunately no. I have been cutting LOTS of aluminum on my other machines and have been really busy. I am going to start going through the 5 axis head pretty soon and go over the drawings and get it back in the loop. I haven't even turned on that machine in months.

Chad