Messages

7851

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Another Turner's Cube.

« on: December 07, 2008, 04:04:00 AM »

Hi Guys,

When I was freeing the center cube, I had machined 5 sides and it looked as if the cube was still attached at all 8 points. I seriously considered Marcel's suggestion of the epoxy but decided to have a go at the final face anyway (impatience on my part). I was quite surprised when the cube dropped free and of course I was extremely lucky not to ruin the whole thing and break the cutter. You have to have luck in this world. If I ever make another I will certainly use supports for the inner cube when final machining.

The cube was polished by hand using 'T-Cut' and a piece of cloth folded round a flat needle file. The polishing took longer than the making.

                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am still not sure about this skills issue. I really don't think that a 'CNC machine operator' needs to have engineering skills (some knowledge yes but skill no). But does a program writer need engineering skills ? (again some knowledge yes but skill no).

Coming back to this cube - if the programs have been written then surely anyone could make it whether they have skill or not.

I would be really  interested in your comments on this folks.


Regards,  Tweakie.

7852

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Another Turner's Cube.

« on: December 06, 2008, 09:19:41 AM »

Hi Rich,

Nothing was holding the center cube in place, it did just drop away. I was holding my breath though.


Tweakie.

7853

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Another Turner's Cube.

« on: December 06, 2008, 08:16:37 AM »

Sorry, I missed a photo in the above sequence.

This is the point where courage or faith in your programing is required. Total conviction.


Tweakie.

7854

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Another Turner's Cube.

« on: December 06, 2008, 07:34:54 AM »

I have made many things with the use of CNC that I would otherwise not have the necessary skills to make. The Lithophanes and Wood Carvings I have made are good examples of this.

So with the inspiration of Marcel, Poppabears 'Magic Cubes' thread and N4NV's reference to 'Digital Machinist' I set about making this Mini Turner's Cube (it is this size because that was the size of the alloy plate that I had).

I certainly do not have the necessary lathe skills so this was made on my recently acquired Boxford mill. In the end I used the Mach Wizards 'Circular pocket' and 'Cut circle' (thanks to Brian Barker and Kiran) for the code, which only required slight modification. The tools used were a 4mm slot drill for the pockets and a 10mm 45 degree undercut (dovetail) to free the center cube. A bit of polishing and it's finished.

Controversial perhaps, but something this exercise has shown me is that, in the fullness of time, CNC programing skills will replace the traditional trade skills for almost all manufactured items. Is that a good thing or a bad thing ?.


Tweakie.

7855

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Lithopane

« on: December 06, 2008, 02:50:47 AM »

Brilliant.

Tweakie.

7856

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: complex turnings

« on: December 01, 2008, 08:15:18 AM »

Something I came across the other day - A machine, costing more than everything I own, making a Turners cube. If you haven't already seen this video then it is well worth the look.

http://www.cnccookbook.com/index.htm


Regards, Tweakie.

7857

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: oscillating knife

« on: November 29, 2008, 08:10:21 AM »

Hi Jacko,

Tailors and dressmakers use an oscillating knife to cut multilayers of material to shape - they should cut cardboard. I have checked with ebay uk but none to be found at the present.

Tweakie.

7858

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Some things I've made and did.

« on: November 29, 2008, 03:20:34 AM »

Thanks for understanding Ed.

Rich - your last pic of Logan would make a super lithophane if Kent is following this thread.


Tweakie.

7859

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: My cnc machine

« on: November 28, 2008, 08:26:58 AM »

Hi Christer,

You have certainly built a machine to be proud of. Please post pics of items that you have made with it.

Regards,

Tweakie.

7860

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: New CNC Machine

« on: November 28, 2008, 08:20:56 AM »

Wonderful setup Rick - how do you manage to have such a tidy workshop ?.


Tweakie.