RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: 4-AXIS FOAM CUTTER

Hi Alan
No web site yet - sorry. I plan to create a web site as soon as I have some
time. At the moment though I spend every free hour in my workshop (ex
garage). It took five different designs and attempts to get the machine to
do what I want it to do, I do not have 5 working machines (I wish :-)

All the signs I made so far was just cutting the profile, I don't know what
the people do with it afterwards. It was mainly for weddings and partys etc.
so I guess it was for indoors. You get two different kinds of foam
(polystyrene) expanded (EPS) and extruded (XPS). The expanded is the normal
white stuff we all know and extruded is the 'bluefoam' as it is known in the
hobby world, it is very dense and quite strong as well. My guess is that it
would last quite long outside.

The software I used for driving the motor up until now was Stepster that I
modified the basic code for it to work (I don't know which version I
downloaded) it does the job fine for two axis and even for my rudamentary 3
axis hobby engraver/router. The gcode I generate with a small basic program
from the wing co-ords otherwise write it myself. Basically I've managed with
shareware up until now.

BTW : What does KM6VV stand for?
Cheers


Coert vd Sandt
-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Marconett KM6VV [mailto:KM6VV@...]
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2001 6:46 PM
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: 4-AXIS FOAM CUTTER


Hi Coert,

Thanks for the descriptions. What else gets done to the foam you cut
for signs? Or is the foam the finished product? I'm only familiar with
the foam used for insulation in homes! Looks like this "wing" foam is
finer, denser stuff?

What software have you been driving your steppers with? I could see
simple linear cuts being done with just rate generators, but anything
more involved would need software!

5 machines! Do you have a web site where you've posted pix of your
machines?

Alan KM6VV

Van Der Sandt Coert wrote:

>
> Hi Alan
>
> I have been working on getting the foam edm machine to cut for about two
> years. I believe that I have it cutting just about OK now (within

tolerances

> for foam). I originally started this project to cut foam cores for RC
> airplane wings, but as time went by I started to realize a lot of

different

> applications for the machine. I have cut quite a few signs so far as well

as

> some shapes for interior decorating. None of this on a commercial level
> though (maybe someday) I have started the building of a 3 meter by 3 meter
> by 1,5 meter high machine, with this I hope to do some bigger signs etc.
> Some specs on the machines :
>
> Number 1 :
> This is about the 5th version I built. Originally I built it from old
> printer steppers and linear slides etc. It has now been upgraded with
> industrial belts and slides etc. The stepper controllers were bought from

an

> electronics supplier to the industry as surplus. Steppers are from old
> floppy drives run at half step to give 400 steps/rotation. Control is by
> step/direction pulses from the lpt port. The linear increment per step is
> 0.1021 mm which is fine because the wire cuts away about .7 mm of foam.
> Cutting dimensions are 1,5 meters wide by 1 meter deep and 220 mm high.
>
> Number 2 :
> This machine is my best attempt at a professional build with properly
> machined parts and industrial standardized belts, pulleys, linear slides

and

> bearings etc. Step controllers are 4A per phase and BIG stepper motors (I
> don't have the specs with me now) 3,1A current draw run in half step mode
> (400 steps/rotation). This time I reduced the linear increment per step by
> driving the carriages via a belt reduction (4:1) from the steppers. The
> machine hasn't cut yet but should be completed soon. The wire will
> ultimately be heated electronically (does anyone have a circuit for this?)
> and cooled by ex RC electric ducted fan turbines where it is exposed.

Again

> control is by step/dir pulses from the lpt port.
>
> I hope I didn't bore you all to sleep.
>
> Cheers
> Coert vd Sandt
> Universe Administration (Unix)
> Dimension Data
> Alexander Forbes Business Unit

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.