Messages

31

General Mach Discussion / Re: Variable speed drive for mill spindle mach3 control

« on: September 28, 2012, 01:49:56 AM »

Sorry chaps, I didn't give all the information - having a bad time at present!

The VFD is for my Bridgeport clone.  I have a dual voltage 3-phase AC motor, and a single phase supply to the machine.  My intention is to use Mach3 to control the speed, not just on/off/rev, using as you say a spindle controller, I just need to get the right VFD to be able to do this!

Thanks

32

General Mach Discussion / Variable speed drive for mill spindle mach3 control

« on: September 27, 2012, 09:29:54 AM »

Is there anything special I need from a VSD for Mach3 to control it?  I want to get the VSD so I can start wiring up the mill to do one quick job which only needs manual, but I want to get the right one that can then be re-wired for Mach.

Thanks

33

General Mach Discussion / Re: Unequal Depth of Cut

« on: September 27, 2012, 08:47:28 AM »

We would generally use the largest cutter we could rigidly swing to do a job like this, normally a single point fly cutter, but I don't know if you can hold one.

34

General Mach Discussion / Re: Encoders - fit or forget?

« on: August 14, 2012, 07:50:59 AM »

We always reference after power down at work, its a habit I'm not keen to break, so my home machine I intend to reference every day too.

35

General Mach Discussion / Encoders - fit or forget?

« on: August 14, 2012, 07:34:58 AM »

Before I get too carried away, I'm considering the fitting of encoders to my Bridgeport clone conversion.  The Steppers I have are dual ended, and the X ballscrew at least has excess length so I have two options for the mounting of encoders.

Coming from an industrial background, it is my intention to fit home switches so I can reference the machine every time I power down, I know steppers can loose count sometimes so the ability to reference is important to me.

Question is though, is it worth me fitting encoders aswell?  and if so, to the back of the stepper or the end of the ballscrew?

Thanks

36

Polls / Re: Most Popular Motor Frames

« on: August 14, 2012, 07:12:39 AM »

I'm running Nema 34's, did any get produced?

37

General Mach Discussion / Re: Zapp Automation - anyone used?

« on: August 08, 2012, 04:14:49 PM »

Arrived this afternoon, well packaged, and sent with a trackable courier.

I think its safe to say, it was a good punt!

38

General Mach Discussion / Re: Zapp Automation - anyone used?

« on: August 06, 2012, 11:41:36 AM »

8.5Nm stepper ordered this afternoon....I'll let you know what sort of service I get!

39

General Mach Discussion / Re: re:CNC Lathe program

« on: August 05, 2012, 02:10:24 PM »

I thought Mastercam was hardwork, it seems like this Dolphin thing is ten times more difficult to get working.  I have to ask, with this much trouble, is it really worth it?

40

General Mach Discussion / Re: re:CNC Lathe program

« on: July 31, 2012, 08:37:01 AM »

Hood
OK i have been playing around with the program and managed to get it cutting in simulation on screen, question if i am using a front turret then i would select the lower profile correct?

If I understand you correctly, and I admit I use Mastercam not Dolphin, you don't need to select upper or lower, front or rear turrets, top or bottom profiles.  As Hood says, draw half the part in Top WCS, and in my case the front face is always Z0 and all turning is Z negative.  For an outside turning tool select the outer profile lines as the cut path, and for internal boring select that on the inside.  there is no selecting of turrets, although a little sideways thinking is sometimes required when using special tools.