Messages

4701

Tangent Corner / Re: AVO Douglas coil winding machine.

« on: October 02, 2013, 07:18:11 AM »

Hi Russ,

It is automatic reversing.
There are two, contra-rotating, lead-screws and alternate half-nuts are engaged when the pre-set (to bobbin width) end stops are reached. Quite a clever bit of engineering considering the overall simplicity of the design.

One thing I have learnt about hand operated winders, I would never want to challenge one of the coil winder girls at arm wrestling, especially if they have been winding with 0.5mm or so wire. 

Tweakie.

4702

Tangent Corner / Re: AVO Douglas coil winding machine.

« on: October 02, 2013, 01:39:43 AM »

After a couple of days hard work the Douglas No.1 has been cleaned up and is now back in full working order. Just trying it out with some small transformer bobbins it performs extremely well indeed.

Not sure what is going to happen to it now but hopefully my efforts have saved it from being broken up for scrap.

Tweakie.

4703

Tangent Corner / AVO Douglas coil winding machine.

« on: September 29, 2013, 08:45:48 AM »

Another little project for a rainy day...

Built in the 1930s by The Automatic Coil Winder & Electrical Equipment Co. (later to become AVO Limited) this little, linear, coil winder is in need of a bit of love and attention.
One day, it will again become fully functional. 

Tweakie.

4704

General Mach Discussion / Re: compensating for different stock thickness

« on: September 27, 2013, 01:36:13 AM »

Hi Tony,

I don’t know if this helps but I get this problem all the time with multi-layer engraving laminates, sometimes it is even just with different batches from the same manufacturer.

I always use an ‘auto tool zero’ probe to set Z zero at the top surface of the work then, if necessary adjust the Z depth of cut using the Z axis Scale DRO.

Tweakie.

4705

General Mach Discussion / Re: TB 6560 BOB LIMIT SWICH CONNECTIONS

« on: September 25, 2013, 12:10:57 PM »

"Mach3 won't move off a limit switch. You need to do that manually."

Hi Graham,

Gerry is quite correct, once tripped it will not move under GCode control it will only move off the switch when jogging manually (keyboard etc.).

Tweakie.

4706

General Mach Discussion / Re: TB 6560 BOB LIMIT SWICH CONNECTIONS

« on: September 25, 2013, 10:03:33 AM »

If I connect a momentary switch between the normally open and common on a limit switch so that when it trips from the normally closed position I can press it and press jog together to get off the stop?

Hi Graham,

Not sure if that would work or not (never tried it).

I would think the best option would be to enable Auto Limit Override (Settings page). Tick this and it will allow you to jog off the stops (assuming you move in the correct direction ). 

Tweakie.

4707

General Mach Discussion / Re: TB 6560 BOB LIMIT SWICH CONNECTIONS

« on: September 24, 2013, 08:56:09 AM »

Hi Graham,

I am pleased you got it sorted. 

Tweakie.

4708

General Mach Discussion / Re: TB 6560 BOB LIMIT SWICH CONNECTIONS

« on: September 24, 2013, 01:40:17 AM »

Graham,

Perhaps the MOBO header cables - something like this will do the job ?  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/StarTech-18-Internal-5-Pin-USB-IDC-Motherboard-Header-Cable-M-F-USBINT5PINMF-/350801109816?pt=UK_Computing_USB_Cables&hash=item51ad602338

Tweakie.

4709

General Mach Discussion / Re: TB 6560 BOB LIMIT SWICH CONNECTIONS

« on: September 23, 2013, 08:44:56 AM »

Hi Graham,

Can you post a link to, or information on, the TB6560 board you have (there seems to be many different types).

Tweakie.

4710

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: September 22, 2013, 02:41:44 AM »

An example of testing and early failures…

I built a small test rig which gives off similar RF emissions to an operating laser tube so I could test run the unit without using the laser. After a couple of hours the clock stopped. Cutting the clock apart revealed a long plastic shaving caught up in the gear train and although the mechanism was beautifully constructed the Chinese manufacturers of this device seem to have absolutely no idea of quality control. Cleaning, removing the debris then gluing it all back together seemed to have resolved the issue and the 24 hour test then continued without fault.
Prototype #1 is now off on it’s travels for further testing with professionally manufactured laser machines whilst prototype #2 is now running 24 / 7 until destruction.

Tweakie.