Messages

3961

Machscreen Screen Designer / Re: MachScreen releases

« on: December 28, 2010, 06:19:07 PM »

Klaus,
Keep up the good work.
Even this dummy may go in and try his hand at screen design......then you can truely say that you accomplished more than you ever expected.....
Thanks for the video.

RICH

3962

General Mach Discussion / Re: Question about turning profiles and G-Code

« on: December 28, 2010, 06:53:38 AM »

You could use LazyTurn to generate the profile code from the dxf profile and it is free. The manual is in Members Docs. Code generated accounts for a button tool.
Doesn't do what Dolphin can do. I would image that the profile should be standard depending on the track it will run on. Would need to ask a friend since their shop manufactures  / rebuilds
custom railcars.
RICH

3963

Video P*r*o*b*i*n*g / Re: Slow setup speed with my video probe…

« on: December 27, 2010, 04:16:39 PM »

The only video probing, etc i have done is with COPYCAT. To use it you will need an NFS license and it will do more than just finding a center and edges. A write up on COPYCAT can be found in Members Docs.
It has appendixes which describe modifications  to a video camera. I also use an XBOX 360 along with it.
The above is just one way.

You say not satisfied with setup speed .......are you meaning how long it all takes?
I just put ground piece in the chuck and visualy find stuff many times as it's easier and quicker and just as accurate.

RICH

3964

General Mach Discussion / Re: polished aluminum

« on: December 26, 2010, 03:09:01 PM »

If milling a surface a single fly cutter will provide a better finish then say one with multiple cutters. Of course other replies apply.
RICH

3965

Newfangled Solutions Mach3 Wizards / Re: Odd Issues with NFS Wizards

« on: December 26, 2010, 03:05:10 PM »

Do you have a license for the NFS wizards?
RICH

3966

General Mach Discussion / Re: Making a tapered thread. Please help

« on: December 26, 2010, 02:57:29 PM »

How to change the m1076 Machro can be found in the Threading on the Lathe write up , Section 7.2 / page 47.
How to set the Mach Lathe for different cut type and infeed-    "                 "       "       , section 7.1 / page 44. ( not documented anywhere else i may add)

How to measure a taper: Use an indicator accurately located on the lathe center line, move along Z and note the change in X required to maintain same indicator reading,
ANGLE= Arc Tangent of X axis move divided by Z axis move  ........you can use the DRO values....just one way.

How to cut a tapered thread? Haven't had a chance to write something up.............!
The problem is the wizards for both cutting just a taper and taper threading post code pathing that starts away from the end of the piece and cross the X & Z axis.
You must have that since the axis must accelerate to the feedrate requested. So you need to to be able to know how to set all up or combine the codes from the wizards. Now somewhere, i have a modified wizard from a friend which will cut a taper from where you define the small diameter and where it finishs without doing that ( if i can find it and test it as that would simplify things some), but, you still need to adjust the threading inputs accordingly. Now i will add that  it depends on how one defines a tapered thread; add threads along the taper, cut a NPT ( and there as are different definitions / accuracy / formulas for an NPT thread...may as well add the Britt part to it! ).
One also needs to ask what the tapered thread will be used for.

So in time and until then if your playing around be carefull, and yes a prayer can help......

RICH

3967

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: AL54b (lathe) project from New Zealand

« on: December 24, 2010, 12:13:09 PM »

Hey Russ, when i bought that $600 gauge for $40  and my friend asked what in the world i wanted it for.
I told him it was part of my "collection" of stuff to gather dust from the air. It has  really come in handy.
It can give you definitive info on binding that would otherwise be very hard to pinpoint.
Keep the eyes open for that useless stuff if one can rationalize buying it. Sure does beat a stick with a rock on the end.

Another one is the small adjustable torque screw drivers ( they allow nice adjustment of set screws so you tighten the gibs just so ).
The set i have is from Utica, are calibrated, and cover 1 to 100 in oz. Like new for the cost of a can of beer.......

Sorry JH, but hopefully the tools used here relate to the retrofit adjustment,

RICH

3968

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: AL54b (lathe) project from New Zealand

« on: December 24, 2010, 11:24:25 AM »

JH,
The x axis is a tough one since it is short travel. So every thing needs to be able to float some to make the initial adjustments and then it gets locked in.
You may want to consider drilling  small holes ( tap also so you can plug the holes ) so you can adjust the ball nut mounting screws since they are hidden when everthing is put together.
They would be located when the axis is nearest and farthest from the bearing. A little thought now on how you will adjust everything will save a lot of fooling around later.

From a design point of view, one could go in and analyze the axis and use calculations to guide ones decision on what to do or being done. 
Not as easy as one would think since the calc's are subjective. Sometimes just easier to make and modify as needed.

BTW, you want to preload the two bearings as that may be a greater source of backlash than the nut. I just assume you'll do that with a nut on the shaft. Would be nice to be able to measure the torque
differences due to preloading. I am lucky as i have a good torque gauge.

Just a few thoughts,
RICH

3969

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: AL54b (lathe) project from New Zealand

« on: December 24, 2010, 10:32:37 AM »

I think it will be just fine all considering. Post adjustment and preload of the bearings just a few drops of crazy glue will make that bearing an intregal part of the mounting.
Retrofits require trade offs and in this case not reducing the depth section of the above cross slide is probably to the better.
Rich

3970

General Mach Discussion / Re: can threading be done in mach without an index pulse?.

« on: December 24, 2010, 09:29:55 AM »

Planning is built into the threading cycle such that variations in spindle rpm are monitored and the Z axis movement is modified to maintain the lead.
It automaticaly adjusts the feed should there be spindle slow down to a fairly large % but no longer can it do a stopped spindle ( 100%).
That was done to help the hobby users with punny lathes and works, but......, accuracy of thread cutting will vary. Nothing beats a stable rpm and good lathe system.

The user should really experiment by trying different cutting methods to find out what THEIR lathe system is capable and adjust accordingly.
I won't go on as all is in the write up.

CNC thread cycle is complex in what it needs to accomplish and if the user pursues a work around he is on his owne.
 I say that since we spent a lot of hours fixing & refiining  the threading cycle and I just don't have any energy to address work arounds to something that works in the first place.

RICH