Messages

91

General Mach Discussion / Re: changing out bits but keeping bit length...

« on: January 28, 2010, 11:40:59 PM »

It's made of metal, but for cutting wood mainly.  Sometimes it'll be metal, but sparingly.  You can see the progress of it in this link:

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,13174.0.html

92

General Mach Discussion / Re: simultaneous vs index support

« on: January 28, 2010, 05:23:09 PM »

Ah, thanks!

93

General Mach Discussion / simultaneous vs index support

« on: January 28, 2010, 05:02:35 PM »

Hi folks, I was recently asked from a CAM vendor if my machine could do 5 axis simultaneous, or index.  My machine is using stepper motors, so I was thinking index, but they asked about the controller, meaning Mach3.  Can Mach3 support simultaneous, or is it just index?

Barry

94

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: That is no moon.

« on: January 28, 2010, 10:09:47 AM »

Heh, I thought for sure the title would explain the part, but maybe not.  This is a panel of the Death Star.  I'm doing a series of six panels for a show.

95

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / That is no moon.

« on: January 28, 2010, 02:46:28 AM »

Hey folks, this is the first part I have cut on my machine.  I'm still learning the ins and outs.  The resolution I've set on this is 1.375mm stepover in finishing, which was a good test, but I think it needs to be finer.  Also, I learned that I need a real tool setter for Mach, rather than relying on my home switches and fixtures.  Anyway, without further ado, here's my first part.



Be kind;)  Oh, the size of this is 8" x 8".

Barry

96

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: rough cut prob

« on: January 27, 2010, 12:03:09 PM »

Btw, I used the settings I mentioned above as a new test.  This finished no problems, and the cut is really sharp across the board.  I did put in the wrong bit profile for the finishing stage, but only mismeasured the length of the flute.  This made it burn in a couple spots, but otherwise, looking good.  Onward and upward.  Thanks for the info.  When this part finishes, I'll post picts in a new thread.

Barry

97

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: rough cut prob

« on: January 26, 2010, 05:05:16 PM »

Hi, yup, the bit was blackened and had bits of plastic still on it.  I didn't save the bit, threw it away last night.  There is a spot where the bit plunged into the wood just after melting the plastic.  There is plenty of burning there.  That's in the pict.  I'm trying to save the part as a surprise, so can't show it just yet.  I think people will really like it;)

That's good to know about you being the moderator for MeshCam.  I'll hit you up for tips I'm sure.  I may be switching to RhinoCam in the future though.  The machine is 5 axis, and I use Rhino to model with.

Ballnose bit?  You mean there are other styles?  I hadn't bought a ballnose yet, only flat ones.  I do have a 1/8 inch flat though.  Perhaps I should get a 1/8 inch ballnose for the finishing;)

Chip load?  what does that mean?

Barry

98

General Mach Discussion / Re: A Really Exceptional Vendor....

« on: January 26, 2010, 12:15:30 PM »

Heh, of course I did.  I found one that had very similar error codes and numbers from HSD.  HSD insisted it was wrong and the one sent from SIRCO was right.  At that point I vowed to never buy anything from them again and preach the gospel of the good vendors I did have.

I must say one of the exceptional ones was Home Shop CNC.  He met me on a Saturday to correct a milling problem I had.  I didn't expect that kind of service.

Barry

99

General Mach Discussion / Re: A Really Exceptional Vendor....

« on: January 26, 2010, 10:44:50 AM »

since, you want elaboration on 'bad', I'll elaborate on HSD.  They sold me both a Spindle and VFD to power it.  The spindle ended up being heavier than their specs listed on their website, plus they won't admit they are wrong to that.  Next is with the drive itself, it was shipped without a manual, which wouldn't be a big deal if they could send me a pdf manual.  They sent a pdf manual from 'SIRCO', which is an OEM product of the same form factor but completely different error codes, settings.  I called and told them this several times, and they said that's the correct manual, very very pig headed.  I ended up buying a Hitachi VFD instead, which came with a manual, and was able to power the spindle in about 30 minutes.  The HSD one is in a box.  It's a $360 paperweight since HSD won't even take it back.  Bad vendor to the extreme.

100

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: rough cut prob

« on: January 26, 2010, 10:33:45 AM »

Thanks, I'll check.  I've no idea if this is set for speed machining.  I'm currently doing this with MeshCAM, as I'm still deciding on a 5 axis CAM software.  In MeshCAM there is a quality level, which is currently at 2.  I'll increase that for the next cut too, which I'm hoping will be tonight.

Barry