Tim Mackey Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Because its unlikely to be spotted in its current thread - here's a pointer towards something definately worth looking at - I love this living breathing machine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Fenton Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 very impressive Tim, I did spot it though Cheers Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted December 3, 2011 Author Share Posted December 3, 2011 That's 'cos you're clever Mr Fenton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W-O Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Nice to see it working. The website that describes the construction in unfortunately like many of them, enough details are omitted to persuade you to purchase their controllers/software or whatever. Interesting to see he went for the drawer runner slides, easier but not as adjustable as twin bars, but more than adequate for the job. I assume he is in the UK, wonder where the square posts with mounting plates came from. The original article gives American sources. I have often looked at the idea, but keep stopping because I can not seem to find anything that describes how to draw the item and get it to the steppers, assigning the axis as needed. (would be 4 axis for a foam cutter) I can't work out a way to be able to use the same set up as a CNC router (like can I drive two motors from the same output, with an amp or some sort of current boost, so that the 4 axis of a foam cutter become 2 axis of a router, with an overhead gantry between the two sides) Very hard to find complete information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 I do not find a web site which describes of how to make one? I guess I am doing something wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 I do not find a web site which describes of how to make one? I guess I am doing something wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W-O Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Posted by Erfolg on 03/12/2011 15:33:34: I do not find a web site which describes of how to make one? I guess I am doing something wrong. Posted by Erfolg on 03/12/2011 15:33:34: I do not find a web site which describes of how to make one? I guess I am doing something wrong. H e r e Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted December 3, 2011 Author Share Posted December 3, 2011 Didnt cost that much at all - job lot of stepper motors around £30 for 6 ( only one of which was duff ) so four used and one is spare. The driver interface was a tad more, but again....bargains from china to be had via Ebay these days. The lead-screws are simply threaded studding from a DIY shed, with a length of hex bar threaded to suit, that hold the cutting wire brackets ( simple brackets from the DIY shop again ) The metal frame was welded up by himself, a bit of checker plate here and there.....The clever software is simply Profili ( pro version which allows for 4 axis ) and an another free downloadable package DEV FUS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W-O Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Posted by Tim Mackey on 03/12/2011 17:01:11: Didnt cost that much at all - job lot of stepper motors around £30 for 6 ( only one of which was duff ) so four used and one is spare. The driver interface was a tad more, but again....bargains from china to be had via Ebay these days. The lead-screws are simply threaded studding from a DIY shed, with a length of hex bar threaded to suit, that hold the cutting wire brackets ( simple brackets from the DIY shop again ) The metal frame was welded up by himself, a bit of checker plate here and there.....The clever software is simply Profili ( pro version which allows for 4 axis ) and an another free downloadable package DEV FUS I have Profili, good software, but a total and absolute waste of money for me because of the dictator like licensing method. If you keep one PC for years and never rebuild it, it is fine, but I use different ones all the time, and reformat every few months, every time you rebuild, you have to get another registration number. Totally disappointed with the usage of it Strangely one of the most expensive parts are the drawer runners ! The motors and electronics can be had new for about £230 (5 axis) Might look again, would like to complete one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cotsford Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Sorry Tim, I'm having a thicky moment - 4 axis? X, Y, Z and.... I presume it's not a design by Doctor Who, capable of gong back in time to correct mistakes? or does the 4 axis relate to two independent 2 axis heads? I still only make that 3 axis maximum unless I'm missing a dimension - that would explain a lot that's happened over the years, especially putting a spanner down in a 3D location and losing it 2 seconds later! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W-O Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Posted by Bob Cotsford on 03/12/2011 17:30:56:Sorry Tim, I'm having a thicky moment - 4 axis? X, Y, Z and.... I presume it's not a design by Doctor Who, capable of gong back in time to correct mistakes? or does the 4 axis relate to two independent 2 axis heads? I still only make that 3 axis maximum unless I'm missing a dimension - that would explain a lot that's happened over the years, especially putting a spanner down in a 3D location and losing it 2 seconds later! It seems to refer to the number of drive channels. For this you would need four, as each end of a tapered wing would differ in both planes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erfolg Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Bob I think we all were aware of the 6 degrees of freedom. I think you are correct in interpreting the independent movement along a single axis as being defined as 2 axis, the linear and the rotation. I guess what has happened that NC machines are capable of differential movement as per this machine, by programming. In the past, although possible, for most applications, operators could only deal easily with twiddling one hand wheel at a time. CNC machines do this easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted December 3, 2011 Author Share Posted December 3, 2011 Yes Bob...XYZA two independent horizontals, and two independant verticals. Steve...profili now offer a usb key that you can use to activate the downloaded programmes on any machine - around $30. We are doing exactly that next time around, as my garage PC is much faster than Richies aging laptop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W-O Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 Posted by Tim Mackey on 03/12/2011 17:47:32: Yes Bob...XYZA two independent horizontals, and two independant verticals. Steve...profili now offer a usb key that you can use to activate the downloaded programmes on any machine - around $30. We are doing exactly that next time around, as my garage PC is much faster than Richies aging laptop. Yes, I saw that at the time, but didn't go for it as the price difference was completely out of proportion with the cost of memory stick, time taken to create the files, and postage. Anyway, it probably doesn't affect most people, but as someone who does pay for software, I was left feeling perhaps I should have downloaded the cracked version or the keygen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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