Messages

81

General Mach Discussion / Re: mill retro HELP

« on: June 03, 2008, 03:20:49 AM »

if your servo drives are fine then use a controller capable of analogue output ( + - 10v dc),
to drive the origional Baldor servo boards or alternatively you could also easily take a pwm step directon output and convert it to analogue


or concider looking at a Pixie http://www.skyko.com/products/ ( although they now note the have been witdrawn as a product
you may still catch a few from stock etc )
or http://www.Dynomotion.com kmotion controller which gives you the benifit of USB 

Dave

82

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Bill's new machine

« on: June 02, 2008, 05:08:43 PM »

for a controller , take a look at http://www.dynomotion.com
kmotion controller with added  snapamp 1000 driver etc

ok not cheap ,uses USB and is configurable & programable for just about everything you need , or would want to do
oh and support for Mach is included

you can pick up shaft encoders on Ebay ( renco rm21 )  for around $85 each , now all you need are some motors and probably a power supply

nice going it'll be a beast once you get it up and running
i'm working on a similar sized co2 laser , retrofiting the electronics

Dave

83

Works in progress / Re: New Screen released ( Beta 1)

« on: June 02, 2008, 08:44:42 AM »

Hi Benny,

i have realdraw pro , are the bitmaps / project files  available for your screenset etc , and have you made further progress , as i'd love to expand on your excellent work with a few extras and help with bringing it into a fully functional set etc

following on from your earlier comments , i agree having just obtained realdraw over the weekend it sure makes it easier than using photoshop

Dave

84

VB and the development of wizards / Re: control of z axis from height sensor

« on: May 29, 2008, 12:33:14 PM »

Thanks Scott ,

yes the sensor gives out a dc voltage , you have given me much to think on , i had thought of using the brain , although i'll probably try the plugin route first , as i have a lot of retrofit work to do to this machine , i'll probably gut the drivers eventualy as they are old Servo motors , with analog cards etc , and bring it more up to date , i have a Kmotion controller i can fit to this which has a lot of powerful features .

it's always nice to know of other options and ideas .

Dave 

85

VB and the development of wizards / control of z axis from height sensor

« on: May 28, 2008, 03:42:39 PM »

Hi All ,
this is my first problem to overcome using Mach , so if their a better way let me know !

i am looking at controling the height of the z axis by the use of a displacement transducer which is fitted to a laser head to control the focus by moving the z axis either side of programmed height , as the nozzle is fitted with a foot which rides over the material being cut  , similar to torch height on a plasma etc .

so wondering if anyone has ideas on or has programmed this before , and the best way to go about this
as it would be as a slave to the z axis in my opinion as would only come into play once the z axis had reached it's programmed position

any thoughts welcome

Dave

86

Feature Requests / Z axis laser focusing control

« on: April 17, 2008, 03:11:14 AM »

Hi , has anyone added or could give further info on interfacing a Linear displacement transducer ( LVDT ) , we have a laser we are retrofitting to Mach3
which has a Foot fitted with an LVDT , to track the Z axis height over a distance of 2.5mm , used for keeping the lens focused etc , how can we incorporate this function , or will it need a plugin etc ,

Any help appriciated

Dave

87

Competitions / Re: ******Guess and win a G100 Grex******

« on: May 22, 2007, 09:09:15 AM »

with the right cutting fluid , i'd say theirs  2,796,346