Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re:Lathe threading

In a message dated 9/8/00 11:22:42 AM Hawaiian Standard Time,
ballendo@... writes:

<< <snip> Maybe an air cylinder to move the tool slide in and out quickly,
could be an add-on?

Adding magnets improves the situation, but pretty soon you'd be
better off just using an encoder.

Just doing threading on a lathe does not require a PC for control,
and he's taken an interesting approach. I might suggest using a real
encoder and some simple divider circuitry or s/w (this IS a PIC type
project). One encoder for the spindle, one stepper for the carriage,
and a hand calculator size "black box" to set TPI. >>


Gents,

You folks consider using a PLC? I've used many of the $150 Automation
direct units. Very simple to use. When it comes to interfacing steppers and
encoders, the wiring is very easy but the programming gets involved. So my
question would be, anybody try any of the PC based I/O packages? I know it's
not real hard to write a C or Basic program to run these things, but again,
if you use a package, I figure much of the complicated programming may come
as a canned function. Are there things like this out there?

I'd say a black box the size of a index card box and costing 125$ or so is
a pretty good deal already, This would be 8 or 10 inputs and 6 or 8 outputs.
I also see many PLC's on E-bay but would have to buy programming software and
cables for every different brand/ model. Hence the desire to use a low cost
(free!) 186-586 based PC to do the same.

I know a cnc package in many cases could be used, I'd like to see more
timer and logic functions than I believe are typically included.

Peter Tsukamoto
THRD, Inc.