Messages

561

Tangent Corner / Re: E-Stopping a PLC

« on: November 22, 2013, 05:39:27 PM »

I've always had E-stop applied only to PLC outputs, as when there is a problem I still want to know what the inputs are, especially if they are analog.  So I usually kill the common supply to outputs.  Turning off the PLC will lose the status of any latch relays which may or may not be desired.

562

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: November 18, 2013, 05:11:09 PM »

I'm frankie from Socal, and I am new to this but really interested in all of this


Frankie Yepez
Motion Marketplace
www.motionmarketpace.com

Hi frankie, you have missed an l (place) out of your link so it doesn't work as posted.
Nice web site so much as i've seen. Where is Socal

That would be Southern California, and yes it IS like another country!

563

General Mach Discussion / Re: Best simple CAD/CAM software

« on: November 17, 2013, 06:34:09 PM »

Jim,
Install CamBam on the CNC machine too.  You really want to be able to jump back and forth into CamBam and Mach 3.  When you measure a part and it is a little off you are going to want to revise the toolpath or change the tool diameter to correct it.  You'll run a part and then realize there is a much better way to  organize the operations and you'll want to quickly jump into CamBam make the changes and repost.  I find myself doing this a LOT!

564

General Mach Discussion / Re: Best simple CAD/CAM software

« on: November 14, 2013, 11:43:13 PM »

I'll second the CamBam suggestion. It also do some 3D work if you have an STL model.

565

General Mach Discussion / Re: circles -- oval shape

« on: November 13, 2013, 10:25:44 PM »

One of the things I picked up on ebay is a nice granite angle plate that is 9"x9"x9". I just set it on the table butted up against the axis way ( stationary table design) and I can check all 3 axis with a dial indicator in just a couple minutes. Handy for When I crash!

566

General Mach Discussion / Re: Jogging x axis speeds up spindle help plz

« on: November 10, 2013, 07:58:34 PM »

I am amazed by how many problems we see here from electrical noise and poor shielding.  I was extremely careful shielding everything on my machine and having just one common grounding point.  My configuration has very long wires, about 12 feet for every cable, and I spent a fortune on shielded cable, even though I got a pile of cable for free.  However I have had absolutely no glitches with anything, so I think it was worth it.

567

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: October 25, 2013, 09:28:31 AM »

Tweakie,
That's not a shop, that is my WIFE'S garage!  I grudgingly get to keep the machine there if I keep it absolutely spotless, no chips anywhere.  So every session ends with thoroughly vacuuming up all the chips so they don't go into the house.  So the enclosure and the chips pans I'm installing around the table are a necessity.  I could move it out to my shed (we have his and her sheds) but the shed isn't insulated so it hard to keep it cool in summer and warm in winter.

568

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: October 24, 2013, 06:17:17 PM »

Hi Gary,

Welcome to the forum.

Sounds like a very interesting machine you and your grandson are building. 

Tweakie.

Tweakie,  I see you have done lots of really interesting stuff.  I finally got the machine up and running, and I've been busy using it to make parts for a more robust spindle than the Sherline I initially installed.  I have a 2-1/4 hp router mounted right now for cutting aluminum. 14K rpm with a 1/4" endmill really blasts out the chips compared to the Sherline.  I almost have the regular spindle done with Tormach tooling, driven by a 1-3/4 hp treadmill motor.  I added a Tormach 0XA toolpost for lathe turning behind the mill spindle, and I have a Harbor Freight lathe spindle, bed and tailstock that bolts down to the table.

Of course, without pictures it's not real. 

Try:
http://s811.photobucket.com/user/garyhlucas/library/?view=recent&page=1

Gary H. Lucas

569

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

« on: October 19, 2013, 08:58:03 PM »

WOW Nice guitars. My son is desperate to get g-code for an electric guitar. He is a left handed so any one having designs for a left handed guitar?

I am a lefty. Everything is made for right handed people because with a handicap like that they wouldn't be able to cope.  Tell him to learn to play right handed.  It is like the mouse on a computer.  Do you really want to make it tough to sit down at someone else's computer and be able to work?  Same with the guitar.  I think it is important to be able to pick up one and just play.  That makes you a lot more popular than saying "Anybody got a left hand one?"

570

General Mach Discussion / Re: Parts resource request for: Linear Profile rails, ballscrews/nuts and jornals...

« on: October 18, 2013, 03:39:40 PM »

Take a look at the THK slides currently on Ebay. In particular gl20n with 20 mm screws work well for small machines.