Messages

5711

Works in progress / Re: Lathe screen re worked

« on: September 23, 2009, 07:26:15 AM »

Thanks for the updated posting.
RICH

5712

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

« on: September 23, 2009, 07:21:59 AM »

Sam,
Thanks for the link. All the info would make a good posting in Members Docs on how to make a generic tool setter.
RICH 

5713

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Mach3 plus xylotex wiring

« on: September 23, 2009, 07:04:31 AM »

Hmm,
One of the 10th grade boys on the robotics team built a little router table out of wood ( 12" x 12" table ). Just used reqular threaded rod and bought a controller board for about $60. He is using a dremel for the router. Somebody gave him a power supply, and he bought three small steppers for around  $ 40. So he has maybe $100
into this thing from his paper route money. He uses a free Cad program and Mach demo. He is having a blast. He said if he takes a liking to it maybe he will save up and do a beefed up version.
Point is, that this kid will have learned so much on most about the major components of the system and software and will be very prepared to make decisions on his owne. He knew nothing about electronics, Mach, CAD, and his dad cut up the junk wood to make the router.
Now it's not fancy, but he sure is learning and having fun. Dad is stsrting to ask about higher end stuff and we are on the look out for that lab machine for peanuts so he can have some good parts for the next nachine.
Now i don't think that $100 is going to waste by any means.
So, why not go supper economy,learn a heck of a lot, have a lot of fun, and then build or buy what you really may want.
If a 10th grader can do all with some help, so can you.
RICH

5714

General Mach Discussion / Re: Current list of G & M Codes for Lathe

« on: September 23, 2009, 06:17:42 AM »

The Using Mach3TURN MANUAL has a listing, and it includes in the listing lists the Gcode ( associated macro ) for G77  ( M1077.MIS ) and G78 ( M10778.MIS ). If it dosen't list it there I'll  assume that it's not supported.
RICH

5715

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Mach3 plus xylotex wiring

« on: September 22, 2009, 08:06:52 AM »

You should think hard about what you are going to do today and what you may do in the future.
I quess it comes down to your budget. I personaly like individual / or replaceable drives.
Take a look at Camtronics Inc as they sell kits. Would recomend Gecko drives. Think hard about what kind of motors you want,servos or steppers.
 I have a flexible controller such that it could be used with any of my machines and is portable.
RICH

5716

General Mach Discussion / Re: MachTurn problems and questions

« on: September 22, 2009, 07:14:04 AM »

Thanks for the posting Phil. I took a quick look and it is an improvement.

Bertho,
There are a few other screens which you may want to try.

Scott did a nice screen set for the lathe. It has a nice large graphics area on one of the screens.
You may want to read through the thread as there are  a few different versions.
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,3653.msg27354.html#msg27354

Just remember, that if you are using a different screen set than what Mach provides, and you have

questions, most folks may not be able to realate to what your posting.

I have seen few out there that you can purchase.

Maybe I'll even get into the screen designer and do one some day. That would be a learning trip
not taken yet!

RICH

5717

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach Workshop at Cabin Fever Expo

« on: September 21, 2009, 10:58:15 PM »

Ron,
Keep us informed as it progresses. I thought the full seminar was a good last year at Cabin Fever.
RICH

5718

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

« on: September 20, 2009, 11:41:01 PM »

Just a little update on the conversion. The pictures show the X and Z axis ball screw covers done and attached. The telescoping Z ones work great and are made from Al angle while the X axis was bent and then welded. Shouldn’t have any debris getting on the screws. What is not apparent is that the carriage drilling was completed and that to install the gibs on the operator side of the carriage the Z axis needed to be removed. So all was taken apart and put back together, realigned, gibs shimmed just so for a nice slide of the carriage, etc. The Z now only takes 16 in oz ( with out motor attached ) to just start movement. That gave me an extra 40 IPM to the Z max velocity.

The X travels within 0.0005” perpendicular to the Z axis over it’s 4” travel. Remember that the carriage was re-machined where it sits on the ways. The chuck ( a set thru ) was re-checked holding a ground rod in it and centers to within 0.001” . The Z run out is within 0.0015” /  8”away from the chuck. So I will just leave the chuck as is. Just ran the spindle at different speeds (  from low to high rpm ) for about four hours since the lathe was not used since new bearings were installed a long time ago.

X axis backlash is 0.0003” and the Z is 0.001”. Trying to bring the Z backlash done just a little required
to much preload on the anchor bearing and the ball screw nut. You can’t get zero!

Still need to make a new pulley cover for the head stock and wipers for the Z axis. Also need to make and mount the index disc for threading and get the limit switches installed. The other stuff for accessories will
come over time.

Since the lathe is basically checked out and usable as is, maybe I will just try it out for kicks.
Lot of work ……but also a lot of satisfaction!

RICH

5719

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Pro Demo.No GCode

« on: September 20, 2009, 10:31:45 PM »

The unlicensed version will not do many of the advanced features and the number of lines is also limited.
RICH

5720

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: macro to export G-code from within AutoCAD

« on: September 20, 2009, 10:25:20 PM »

Thanks for the update Gerry. I do plan on trying the program out one of these days and when i do will give you some feed back. Till then, it's back to my lathe conversion.
RICH