Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] 4-AXIS FOAM CUTTER

When I say post, I mean actually writing the code. There are very few CAM packages and post processors equipped to handle the 4
axis motion you describe.
I think you will end up writing your programs by hand or cutting and pasting the code manually to get the path you want.
What you need is CAM designed for wire EDM. This simply doesn't exist at the hobby level.
I just think you may be into a type of control that hasn't been developed in the hobby arena yet.
I think you are talking about cutting tapered wing sections. In the most simple cases I think you will have no problems. For
instance, you start with one cross section and you want the wing to taper down to a scaled version of the same section.
The easiest way I can think to do this is to treat it like independant 2 axis controls, Starting simultaneously. So for post
processing purposes you just post the code for both sections separately and then join then line for line. Then when you run the
program you should get what you want. Of course you would have to scale the feedrates for both to get them to start and finish at
the same time.
This is where you will run into problems. You won't be able to continuously vary the feedrate between the axis independantly.
You might be better off actually having two independant controls. You could use one the same software and run off two PC's.
There are some people on the list who have built wing cutters like this. You might want to search the archives of the list for more
answers.
JoeV.


Van Der Sandt Coert wrote:

> I have downloaded their demo, I will give it a try. Are you saying there
> will be a problem post proccessing the gcode file vua the par. port? If so,
> why?
>
> Am I on the right track thinking that one would use the x & y axis for the
> one side and the U & v axis for the other in the gcode program? Maybe I can
> change stepster to handle the U & V axis as well, has anybody tried this
> before?
>
> Thanks
>
> Coert vd Sandt
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joe Vicars [mailto:jvicars@...]
> Sent: Friday, June 08, 2001 3:38 PM
> To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] 4-AXIS FOAM CUTTER
>
> Coert,
> CNC pro is probably the best 4 axis control for the money. All transactions
> are through email and credit card. I don't know much
> about exchange rate over there but the software is only about $200 U.S.
> When you say 4 axis you mean like a wire edm? XY on top and XY on bottom?
> I can tell you that your problem won't be the control,
> it will be writing the program. (i.e. posting the code)
> Check out www.yeagerautomation.com
> Joe Vicars
>
> vandersandtc@... wrote:
>
> > Hi Guys
> >
> > I have joined this list before but I must have fallen off the bus
> > somewhere so I rejoined again.
> >
> > I hope someone can help me, I have built several toys using steppers
> > and stepper controllers (L297/298). However, my 2D cnc foam cutter
> > has been upgraded to independant 4-axis control. I have used
> > shareware (stepster) that I have changed a bit to send S&D signals
> > via the par. port.
> >
> > My question : Can I use Stepster for 4-axis control, and what would I
> > use to generate the gcode? I know that there is the wing cutting
> > software available but I would like to cut from dxf drawings of any
> > shape and size. The commercial software available in our country
> > (South Africa) is unaffordable due to our poor exchange rate.
> >
> > I would greatly appreciate any response.
> >
> > Cheers
> > Coert
> >
> > Welcome to CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@...,an unmoderated list for the
> discussion of shop built systems, for CAD, CAM, EDM, and DRO.
> >
> > Addresses:
> > FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
> > FILES: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/
> >
> > Post messages: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
> > Subscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > Unsubscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > List owner: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-owner@yahoogroups.com, wanliker@...
> > Moderator: jmelson@... timg@... [Moderator]
> > URL to this page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO
> > bill,
> > List Manager
> >
> > FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
> Welcome to CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@...,an unmoderated list for the
> discussion of shop built systems, for CAD, CAM, EDM, and DRO.
>
> Addresses:
> FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
> FILES: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/
>
> Post messages: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
> Subscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
> Unsubscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> List owner: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-owner@yahoogroups.com, wanliker@...
> Moderator: jmelson@... timg@... [Moderator]
> URL to this page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO
> bill,
> List Manager
>
> FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
> Confidentiality Warning
> =======================
> The contents of this e-mail and any accompanying documentation
> are confidential and any use thereof, in what ever form, by anyone
> other than the addressee is strictly prohibited.
>
> Welcome to CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@...,an unmoderated list for the discussion of shop built systems, for CAD, CAM, EDM, and DRO.
>
> Addresses:
> FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
> FILES: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/
>
> Post messages: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
> Subscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
> Unsubscribe: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> List owner: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO-owner@yahoogroups.com, wanliker@...
> Moderator: jmelson@... timg@... [Moderator]
> URL to this page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO
> bill,
> List Manager
>
> FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/