Simple semi-automatic CNC
Posted by
Gordon Robertson
on 2001-03-11 09:55:02 UTC
I've got a manual "copy" machine I've been working on...off and on
(mostly off)...for a number of years. The project is on again as I'm
going to be casting numerous castings at one time for several
projects. I've redesigned the castings for this one so as to allow
me to cast them myself. I made them in several pieces so as to be
able to fit the parameters of my casting equipment.
I'd like to drive the forward/reverse motion and the rotatry motion
of this machine via steppers or servos.
The machine would functionlike this:
I'd have two sets of limit switches for the "X" axis. The set on one
end would be fixed in position the set on the opposite end would be
adjustable to allow manual positioning for various length parts. The
motion of this axis would be as follows: Move in forward direction
at a rapid feed rate, just before reaching the end, a limit switch
tells the unit to slow to a reduced feed rate. The next limit switch
tells the unit to index and reverse direction. The process repeats
itself continuously, indexing one step at a time as it reaches EACH
END of travel. I'm not sure yet whether the X axis will be driven
via a worm or a cable....just something that's FAST.
The rotary axis should be manually adjustable to index in any
increment from 0 to 360 degrees....or it could be set to machine
along a specific spot in case I needed to "redo" an area or wanted to
combine parts of several items I happen to be copying. This axis
would be driven via a worm. Therefore, the number of angular steps
taken by the drive motor to index one degree would be determined by
the number of teeth on the worm.
I'd like to know if there are any of you electronic whizzes out there
that would like to design/build a simple board for me that will allow
me to run this machine as described above. The board could be
mounted in a simple electrical box with various switches, power
supply, etc. No computer control would be required. If necessary I
could use just a board/power supply that would drive the motors. I
could design the interconnecting wiring for the limit switches myself.
I'd like to keep this as simple and cheap as possible.
Smoke
(mostly off)...for a number of years. The project is on again as I'm
going to be casting numerous castings at one time for several
projects. I've redesigned the castings for this one so as to allow
me to cast them myself. I made them in several pieces so as to be
able to fit the parameters of my casting equipment.
I'd like to drive the forward/reverse motion and the rotatry motion
of this machine via steppers or servos.
The machine would functionlike this:
I'd have two sets of limit switches for the "X" axis. The set on one
end would be fixed in position the set on the opposite end would be
adjustable to allow manual positioning for various length parts. The
motion of this axis would be as follows: Move in forward direction
at a rapid feed rate, just before reaching the end, a limit switch
tells the unit to slow to a reduced feed rate. The next limit switch
tells the unit to index and reverse direction. The process repeats
itself continuously, indexing one step at a time as it reaches EACH
END of travel. I'm not sure yet whether the X axis will be driven
via a worm or a cable....just something that's FAST.
The rotary axis should be manually adjustable to index in any
increment from 0 to 360 degrees....or it could be set to machine
along a specific spot in case I needed to "redo" an area or wanted to
combine parts of several items I happen to be copying. This axis
would be driven via a worm. Therefore, the number of angular steps
taken by the drive motor to index one degree would be determined by
the number of teeth on the worm.
I'd like to know if there are any of you electronic whizzes out there
that would like to design/build a simple board for me that will allow
me to run this machine as described above. The board could be
mounted in a simple electrical box with various switches, power
supply, etc. No computer control would be required. If necessary I
could use just a board/power supply that would drive the motors. I
could design the interconnecting wiring for the limit switches myself.
I'd like to keep this as simple and cheap as possible.
Smoke