Messages

91

General Mach Discussion / Re: ATC/ Rapid changer by Hightechsystems?????????????

« on: June 19, 2009, 03:27:32 AM »

Hi Willy,
  I know I looked like I was on-line, but I nodded off here....
      My router uses a Makita variable speed, but I run it on the lower end (8K to 10K rpms) when using the "quick change" tool.  I wouldn't go more than is recommended when using this tool holder system.
In my case, I have to use the 1/2" chuck adapter and put it into the makita's chuck which makes the quick-change protrude a bit much and increases vibration, although I have been able to seat it well and run it quite smoothly.   
Makita uses a proprietary thread on its spindle so i got an extra chuck and plan to turn/thread the outside to fit the quick-change thread directly which would shorten the tool extension considerably....then I was going to do tests to find out just how much (within reason) I could increase the rpms. 
  I don't think this system will be safe at your desired 24K rpm.    BUT, I would contact HighTechSystems and see if they have developed  their system further to work reliably at higher speeds.

the problem, I believe, is that the spring loaded tool collet holder tends to release from centrifugal forces above 10K....When I got mine, they had just upgraded the spring to allow the 10k rpm .  Before that the tool could only safely reach 8k (I think).  Who knows for sure?.... Maybe HighTech is being very conservative to avoid flying destructive/injurious sharp metal parts.

92

General Mach Discussion / Re: ATC/ Rapid changer by Hightechsystems?????????????

« on: June 18, 2009, 09:18:12 PM »

here's a more lengthy WMV of the changer in action:

93

General Mach Discussion / Re: ATC/ Rapid changer by Hightechsystems?????????????

« on: June 18, 2009, 08:45:25 PM »

hre's a little info from CNCZone. 
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=227779&postcount=5
It's just a page, but you dele into the thread formore info.   This changer used to be on the "Hightechsystem's site as a demo..but i think IMS got the actual production.. I might be wrong.   But anyhow, I have several collets for that quick change system....BEFORE they skyrocketed in price.   I still have plans to turn my own collets for the receiver.   
   If I find all the data I saved(somewhere) on the design specs of the tool rack and macro scripting for getting the tool to move into the slots, i will post them...but I have no idea what hard drive it is located on....and I have many small hard drives that aren't indexed(or installed) so locating the info isn't easy.....


Here's a WMV of the changer in action....I think....
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=27023&d=1165717839

another quick linkto a page with closups of rack:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=228926&postcount=37

and here are the files with dimensions:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=228938&postcount=41

oh hell....just keep reading that thread and the macros are in there too.....

hope this helps....

94

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Success! Mini Machining Center under Mach3 control - Video link

« on: June 18, 2009, 08:08:20 AM »

Thanks loads!
...just a question about the motor mount parts...did you bead-blast those to get the color/texture?  Or maybe you vibrated/tumbled them?   You might have already mentioned someplace but I didn't see how you "finished" the parts.

Nice!

Simpson36, I'll probably never make the "fitting" that you carved out in your super video, and the actuall G-code in its original state would never be used "as is" by me.  However, a step by step study of that g-code in conjunction with the macro usage might really make this process come clear.
.....you've undoubtedly got many things going on, so with reservations, am I asking too much  to post the actual g-code running in your video.?  Would this be possible?  Somehow, in the future, in some way I hope to return your generous favors.  (Continuing to compliment your work as you demonstrate it just won't suffice...  )

Thanks again,
  John

95

General Mach Discussion / Re: Sign done in relief (background routed out leaving the letters).

« on: June 15, 2009, 01:40:30 PM »

The only problem I see with that is registration, each file must exactly be aligned with the others or else there would be problems.
Thanks,
Lindsay

I wouldn't worry about that........your program should be able to make multiple files all with the same(exact) referrence point, but with different directions(depths) to carry out. Or, you can set it in each rendering to align. Just have each drawing contain common information from which to register.

96

General Mach Discussion / Re: Sign done in relief (background routed out leaving the letters).

« on: June 15, 2009, 12:11:58 PM »

The easiest way(if complex) is to use a CAD/CAM program.   Other wise, you can write the G-code all at one depth, open it in a text editor and alter the sections of G-code that you want Mach3 to control the depth differently.   
In the picture included here, I roughed out at two depths to gently reach the full depth.   I could have left some areas shallower but this was not the case here.  Howver, the perimeter cut around the outside is only a small percentage of the depth within and around the letters.
  If you are looking for letters that have altering dimension vertically, you may use a standard degreed(angled) bit , but you still have to edit the G-code to achieve your desired result.
  Cad is the way to go....whether you use ball-end cutters, straight cutters, or "v" shaped cutters.
Look around...there are all kinds of Cad/Cam(drawing-g-code) programs within this forum that would work for you.

Right within Mach3 is the lazycam program.
  To actually "say" how to do it would require a lengthy group of words here, but there is great documentation for your reading enjoyment.

97

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Success! Mini Machining Center under Mach3 control - Video link

« on: June 15, 2009, 10:47:48 AM »

For those who asked, I will also be posting the swap axis macro and mayby some others.

After seeing Ray L.'s beautiful macros, I'm just too embarrassed to publish my sloppy code until I get it spruced up a bit . . .

Hi simpson36,
  When you post your "improved" code, would you also include the original that worked for you before "cleanup"?   
It would be interesting to see what works without being "elegant".    Don't be embarrassed....  I'd just view the process as a "development".     

Great details in the photos.  Nice setup!
Thanks,
Bloy

98

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Success! Mini Machining Center under Mach3 control - Video link

« on: June 08, 2009, 12:15:36 PM »

Hi everyone,

After much study and work and help from this forum and other resources, I have my servo powered 4th axis up and running. It does everything I wanted it to do.

In the current arrangement, the mill spindle stays active and still functions as normal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KNit__LJE4

For now, some interesting programming is needed along with a custom macro to do the thread passes, but in time, I think Mach3 will have features to make this much better.

I don't plan to make aluminum bolts from round stock. The part just demonstrates the various functions I wanted to get working.

I just can't get over your video.  it's so neat!
  I want to apply this to my router to accomplish custom threaded dowels, or spirals, along with the other variations in the piece form you demonstrate(hex head in your case) ..all done in single code file.     That's why I am so interested in your "basic" (as you say) macro coding.
 ....gotta play catch-up....been doing other things while my machines were covered with sheets for way too long a period.

99

General Mach Discussion / Re: Has anyone used Viper Servo drivers?

« on: June 08, 2009, 11:38:00 AM »

What it the purpose of the resistor across the CAP?

I believe that resistor is simply a "bleed-off" to discharge the cap after power is disconnected.  It isn't real quick at discharging, but allows you to work with the circuit after a shorter time.....a safety practice really.
 While powerd up, the resistor has little affect on the circuit's performance.

Don't get me wrong about the Geckos...I like them and have 9 320s and a couple of the multipliers.  All my motors/encoders (save the two pictured above) fall into their operating range.  A while back, I considered getting 250(1000ppr) encoders  instead of the existing 500(2000ppr) encoders for those two motors to increase the speed (I think), but lose resolution. I decided, for now, to keep it as is.
  For the toroid and voltages pictured by JHChoppers,  I would just remove several coils/rounds of wire to bring the voltage within the gecko's limits.  In fact when I did this to my toroid I removed too many loops and cut them off in bits before measuring.    Now, I didn't have any coated wire to replace, so I took regular #10 (or 12) house wire with the insulation still on and spliced it in to rewind it to get the maximum (72VDC) recommended for the gecko 320/340.  It works great and doesn't get more than a little warm...but it is an 8" diameter transformer.   ...granted, it is quite an operation to go through(sore fingers and all), but after taping up the tranny, it looked like the original.

100

General Mach Discussion / Re: Has anyone used Viper Servo drivers?

« on: June 06, 2009, 07:44:07 AM »

  I'm using the G320's on a slaved axis and the motors are 1000rpm/60Vdc-max 3000rpm, so basically the motors are 180VDC.   

This is interesting. What is the proper way to interpret motor specs? From your example, it would seem that the relationship of voltage to RPM is linear? Which of the numbers you quoted are the published motor specs, and which are you extrapolating?

Increased voltage increases the RPM, so what property actually causes the real world limit on RPM?

Same question on voltage. What property dictates the practical limit?

Here's a pic of the actual motor specs:
The motors of the other axes are rated at 55VDC max and they fly during rapids under the 75VDC gecko320s(required for the "one fault all fault" setup), but when creating Gcodes, if the rapids are kept to a minimum, they never get more than warm....although the brushes take a hit during the short spurts of rapids.
When winding the toroidal transformer I originally installed a secondary tap for the 55VDC to run the other motors, but lost the "fault all" feature.

 This is getting slightly off track, but here are the figures for putting these "under votaged" motors in use:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=79685&postcount=14
 I'm sure if they had more votage(more than the 80VDC geckos), that they would move much more above the 323IPMs without lagging and consequently causing the gecko320 to fault.
Heh, as you can see, I don't really understand the BEMF rating...but it worked.
....Anyway, all this extra posting stimulates activity...hopefully.