Messages

41

General Mach Discussion / Re: Boss 9 retrofit querry

« on: March 04, 2007, 10:12:31 AM »

Yup
I looked at one just the other day... I was thinking about the Teknix Tek 20's for the next one that I work on. The drives Ihave used in the past are AMC Digiflex drives... they are about 750.00 each but I have had good luck with them in the past.

Brian, what are the advantages of using these more expensive drives.
Why not just Gecko or Rutex drives?
The drive specs for the Tek 10's are practically identical to the less expensive
counterparts.  The gecko's are big enough to drive any Bridgeport knee
mill that was made, of course providing the servo is a proper match to
the Gecko. 

Scott

42

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to size motor's to application

« on: January 14, 2007, 07:23:39 PM »

Well, what kind of reduction ratio are you thinking about?
How big is the mill?


Scott

43

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to size motor's to application

« on: January 14, 2007, 03:27:24 PM »

I don't know how big the mill is that you are talking about.  Best bet for me
has been go with what is known to work.  800 to 1200 oz-in steppers for a
full size BP is comfortable. 
I am running 200 oz-in servos, 4:1 reduction on a full size series 1 BP
and it will cut anything I give it.  This gives me 800 oz-in at the ballscrew.
Servos also have a bit of reserve torque that you can tap for just a small
bit of time if needed. 
I say go a bit larger with the steppers because if you "lose" a step
you will never know it, plus there is no reserve torque with steppers.
Of course you can gear the stepper to increase the torque but you may
be dissatisfied with the speed.

Scott

44

General Mach Discussion / Re: Payment Question

« on: January 07, 2007, 08:41:07 PM »

I purchased a license file from Homann designs the other day.
I guess I just put it in my Mach 3 folder?
How can I tell if Mach is acknowledging the license?
I see no difference when I run Mach.

Thanks,
Scott

45

General Mach Discussion / Re: Sound Logic Encoder Interface anyone?

« on: December 30, 2006, 08:09:21 PM »

I have e-mailed Ron Rogers a few times with questions about his
pendant.  He was always VERY fast in replying.  I suspect he
has a few days off.

Scott

46

Tangent Corner / Re: CNC telescope mirror grinder.

« on: December 12, 2006, 09:02:34 AM »

There are commercial grinding and polishing machines out there.
http://www.kennedy-optics.com/shop.html
Here is a picture of a couple of them.
The final "figuring" is what needs to be done by hand.
A professional can easily spend 200 hours or more
working on one of these large mirrors.  A large amateur mirror
is anywhere from 16" to about 32", though others may have
slightly different opinions.   A 32" will cost you from $13,000 on
up. 
And yes, they are ground to high tolerances....to the tune of
several millionths of an inch. 

Scott