Messages

21

General Mach Discussion / Re: Duplomatic turret for Colchester

« on: October 09, 2011, 12:59:08 PM »

Well,
...almost 2yrs and at last major progress to report:-

Turret conected to a separate PLC controller.
Pokeys configured and connected to PC/PLC controller via CNC4PC opto isolator boards.
Chunky base plate machined to mount the turret onto the Colchester to slide.
Mach set up, tool change macro written, home limits setup.

A few bits of VDI tooling sourced from 3bay
Next step - remove the dixon tool post, bolt on the turret and enjoy
Photos to follow.

ATB
Derek

22

General Mach Discussion / Re: limit switch accuracy

« on: September 25, 2011, 12:52:25 PM »

This one with 1um accuracy is about £63.00

I'm not wanting to be a negitive nellie but rather want everyone to get the 'whole picture'. There are many factors involved and you can't just fixate on impressive sounding numbers from one sensor/switch and ignore the rest of the system.

No one is fixated on the numbers or ignoring the rest of the system- rather the price to performance which appears to be rather good.
I don't expect a My-Com switch to eliminate all the inaccuracies from a machine / machining process, or anyone elses for that matter - that would be silly :-)...but it looks to be a good starting point for anyone looking for a accurate home switch.

23

General Mach Discussion / Re: limit switch accuracy

« on: September 25, 2011, 05:06:34 AM »

RS sell the My-Com range.
This one with 1um accuracy is about £63.00
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/precision-position-switches/0341418/

It says the hysterisis is 2um..but I recon we can live with that amount of slop 

ATB
Derek

24

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lathe as mill

« on: September 13, 2011, 02:09:29 PM »

Another option is to keep it as a "lathe" but fit a Y axis onto the cross slide ( X axis).

The spindle would be a C axis + live tooling.
You would keep your lathe functionality but now with milling.

ATB
Derek.

25

General Mach Discussion / Re: Repeating Wizard At Different Work Offset?

« on: September 04, 2011, 04:51:55 AM »

Gerry, thanx for the reply.
What I have in mind is for the wizard to go to the next offset without having to stop to input the next offset.

Wizard runs on G54....after finish it reruns on G55...etc.
Is there a line(s) of code that could be added to the end of the wizard to accomplish this?
Thanx,
Rex

Hi Rex

I'd put the the G code in a sub routine.
Set the offset required and then call the subroutine, and repeat as many times as necessary.
%
(all your normal header)
( 1st tool call here)
G54  (sets the 1st work offset)
M98 P1 (runs the wizard part of the code)
G55   (sets the 2nd work offset)
M98 P1 (runs the wizard part of the code)
G56
M98 P1 (runs the wizard part of the code)
etc
M30


o1 ( start of your codeplaced in the subroutine)
G1 X0 Y0 ( gcode here to cut your part)
G0
G2
G3
 .
.
M99  (ruturns to next line from the branch point)
%

26

General Mach Discussion / Who will be first to do this with Mach3

« on: August 16, 2011, 02:52:46 PM »

They say you learn something new every day, and today is no different.

I've never seen an Automatic Chuck Changer on a lathe....with sub spindle too !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOKK54gPST0&feature=related

Amazing !

ATB
Derek.

27

General Mach Discussion / Re: 4th axis problem

« on: July 05, 2011, 03:27:55 PM »

Hi Bob,

Go to the configure toolpaths menu, there is a tick box that says something like "show A axis rotations"

It will then show the 3d toolpath - and its flipin amazing to see the tool follow the path and the rotate in real time.

ATB
Derek

28

General Mach Discussion / Re: Cooling control panel & monitor venting.

« on: June 11, 2011, 12:42:57 PM »

Hi Jackal,

Most industrial machines have a control cabinet cooler, based on AC, peltier or heat pipe technology.
All have in common that the outside air does not enter the electrical enclosure so keeping in dust free.

Here is a link that has some useful info - never used them myself, and I don't know the cost.

http://www.eicsolutions.com/thermoelectric-air-conditioners.php

35°C is a killer and 53ºC !!! my melting point is >25ºC ..... 22ºC is just nice. 

ATB
Derek

29

General Mach Discussion / Re: Latest update problem

« on: June 06, 2011, 03:34:51 PM »

Hi,

Dredging my memory I had a similar problem a while ago.

I cured it by changing my cam settings to output arcs in max 90 degree section.
ATB
Derek

30

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lazycam posts wrong g-code? SO LOST!!

« on: May 22, 2011, 11:08:31 AM »

Hi Mpones,

Here is a DXF of your design.

Iserted the image, traced it manually in Autocad and then deleted the bitmap to leave just the line and arc geometry....
There are just 48 objects.

If you know the slot widths / overall size, it can be drawn exactly to scale.
My size is a guess, I supose the item could be as big as a battle ship 

ATB
Derek