Messages

7161

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

« on: October 05, 2009, 12:46:46 PM »

H Barry,

Thanks for the kind words. I can't say that I would recommend doing this yet, as a project it will certainly keep me busy for a few months and I am enjoying every minute but it is a lot more involved than it at first seems. I could write a book on what I have learned so far and I have only really scratched the surface. If the end results are successful then it will all have been worthwhile but at my rate of progress it will be some time before I know for sure.

Tweakie.

7162

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

« on: October 05, 2009, 08:32:39 AM »

A bit more progress - I have started on the focus lens mounting which will be fitted on the moving part of the Z Axis. The lens I will be using is 12mm diameter and made from Zinc Selenide with a focal distance of 40mm. I have still to make and fit the lens retainer sleeve, air inlet barb and output nozzle components etc.

Tweakie.

7163

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 screen

« on: October 04, 2009, 01:26:58 PM »

I think you need a minimum of 1024 x 768 screen resolution to display the page correctly.
Right click on desktop then click on properties, settings and check your resolution.

Tweakie.

7164

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: emco pc5 lathe

« on: October 04, 2009, 12:49:05 PM »

Its all impressive but the ballscrew guard is extra impressive. Nice documentation and photos and a credit to your engineering skills.

Tweakie.

7165

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: CNC CONVERSION - 6" ATLAS LATHE

« on: October 01, 2009, 03:23:59 AM »

Very neat. It is often the simplest of ideas that are the best.

Tweakie.

7166

Share Your GCode / Re: Christmas Tree - Clear Lexan/Acrylic

« on: October 01, 2009, 03:19:54 AM »

Nice work Andrew - I have just got to make a couple of those for Christmas. Thank you for posting the code and pictures.

Tweakie.

7167

General Mach Discussion / Re: Plasma cutter for retangelar and square tube?

« on: September 29, 2009, 07:23:35 AM »

Hi Michael,

I see no reason why Mach 3 cannot control a machine to perform this task. Obviously round tube is easy but rectangular section would require a nifty bit of GCode programming if it was to be cut in one pass (rather than rotating the work, cutting one surface, rotating the work, cutting another surface etc. in steps and turning the torch on and off as required).

Tweakie.

7168

General Mach Discussion / advice please

« on: September 28, 2009, 02:50:39 AM »

Hi Ridwan,

Everything I think you will need to know is already contained in this forum, all you have to do is carry out a search for the topic you are working on at the time and others experiences are detailed and discussed. There is a mine of information here.

I, for one, built my own router using this method and, if you wish, you can view my progress on my website :-

http://www.cooperman.talktalk.net/

Hope this helps and good fortune in your build,

Tweakie.

7169

General Mach Discussion / advice please

« on: September 27, 2009, 12:39:41 PM »

Hi Ridwan,

For a simple machine why not purchase one of the cheap Chinese driver boards, which are fully Mach compatable then all you need are a 24Volt power supply and set of stepper motors if you do not already have them.  http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-Axis-CNC-Stepper-Motor-TA8435H-Driver-Board-Mach-2-3_W0QQitemZ250504766065QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item3a533f6271&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

Tweakie.

7170

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

« on: September 27, 2009, 12:26:25 PM »

Now that the geometry and dimensions have been established from the MDF 'mock-up' the beam steering fixture can now been constructed from aluminium box section. Not much to look at because the mirrors and Newport mountings are internal to the section.
Still a long way to go but I am getting there, slowly.

Tweakie.