Messages

241

General Mach Discussion / Re: A axis display

« on: August 25, 2006, 12:35:20 PM »

Thanks Brian.  I tried the A dia settings but it still does not display correctly.  Here are pics of the toolpath and settings screen.

Dan.

242

General Mach Discussion / A axis display

« on: August 25, 2006, 09:16:39 AM »

Created a program to engrave a design on a cylinder.  When I try and display the toolpath it does not properly display the A axis (Version D1.90.071). It shows the X axis movements but there is no rotational movement, although the A readout looks correct.

I am not sure if I do not have something turned on correctly.  Would appreciate any insight.

Thanks

Dan

243

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Mini Mill retro

« on: August 13, 2006, 10:20:41 AM »

John,

This is a Grizzly mini mill.  I saw your X3 and was very impressed.  I have small motors on this so I kept the gas strut on the head but mounted on the outside on the left.  You can see it in the top photo.  I got roller ball screws and oversized ballnuts which I ended up with less then .0005 backlash on the x-y.  The z mod I was not happy with I ended up with .002 backlash and it is all in the fixture and not the screw.  The rotary table is a Phase II that I modified.

Dan.

244

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Mini Mill retro

« on: August 11, 2006, 10:23:11 PM »

Not as nice as some of the machines on this forum but still my little baby!

245

General Mach Discussion / Re: Rotary table, home switch & backlash . . .

« on: August 11, 2006, 07:10:09 AM »

I have never used backlash comp on a rotary table but I know it does work fine on the x-y axis.  The problem will not be the backlash comp it will be movement of the table when you are milling.  Basicly the table can move freely while you are milling unless you either ensure the direction of your cut is not going to allow the backlash to effect the cut or you can lock the table down during the cut.

Just my thoughts.

Dan.

246

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: 3D surfaces?

« on: August 10, 2006, 10:36:40 PM »

HA... My 3D file was for a time machine... so I guess we're both screwed.

No problem, I really like your product and I would rather wait for the quality that I know you guys can deliver then to get something half baked.

But then again it is a time machine!

Dan.

247

General Mach Discussion / Re: Rotary table, home switch & backlash . . .

« on: August 10, 2006, 09:27:59 PM »

I have a Phase II 4" rotary table that I retrofitted.   I am only going to use this table at low speeds and light milling mostly wood and aluminum.  Also I only use the table with the controller and never manually.

What I did, and by no means am I an expert,  I started by stripping down the table.  With the Phase II there is an eccentric bushing to engage and dis-engage the drive gear to the table.  I am never going to dis-engage my table. So I found the high spot on the bushing and tightened the set screw that adjusts the tension on the bushing.  The bushing no longer moves.  I used lithium grease on the gears and I do not plan on using light spindle oil as suggested.  After some extended use I disassemble and add more grease.  The grease allows for a good fit and also allows the gearing to move with much less friction then the oil. 

I also removed the handle and the dial gauges (the scribed dials) since I never use them as a reference.  I would think you can leave them on if you want but I did not even try.  The shaft attached the handle and held the shaft in tension with a double spanner nut and thick keyed washer.  I removed the spanner nuts and washer and replaced the washer with a steel needle-roller thrust bearing and washers and the spanner nuts I replaced with a threaded clamp-on collar.  I purchased these items from Mcmaster.com.

I mounted the motor and basicly now have no backlash.  I did not add any home position switch, again I would never use it, If I needed I can make a jig to find a reference zero.

Dan.

248

LazyCam (Beta) / 3D surfaces?

« on: August 10, 2006, 09:00:18 AM »

Does Lazycam only accept 2D geometry?  I tried reading a complex surface and did not get anything.

249

General Mach Discussion / Re: Auto tool height offset measurement

« on: August 07, 2006, 10:35:51 AM »

Keith,

I would really like to hear your electronics tips for make a touch off probe. 

250

General Mach Discussion / Re: keystroke for reset

« on: August 05, 2006, 08:55:08 PM »

Thanks Hood,

I was looking for that key for 30 minutes and for some reason I could not find which one it was.  I had an old wingman gamepad laying around and it works great.

Dan.