Re:Re: Re: 4th Axis Concept (long)

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., Chris L <datac@l...> wrote:

> So, Basically you tell the rotary axis to go to home, and it finds

and steps off the prox' switch. Then load the material based on that
switch location (in this method some parts may need to be jigged for
exact repeat locating). When you decide to "run as lathe", use an
available M-code to disengage the Servo's Computer controlled power
supply, and cross it via relay to the

> auxiliary source. Possibly use another code to actually turn on the

power for a soft start/ non-contact burning Start-up.

>
> At the end of the "lathe mode", toolpath code dictates the

disengagement of power to the servo and restores power from the Servo
Amplifier/Driver. Toolpath code then tells all axis or at least the
rotary to "seek Home". This IS possible via toolpath code with
FlashCut, not sure about others. When it finds the proximity switch
it will be in the correct spot. Correct ? Then business

> as usual 4th axis stuff.

Yes, unless you can set up a quadrature encopder that will always
keep track of the location after homing. That way you would only
have to worry about the change over from free wheeling to controlled
motion.

>
> The 2 things I do not really like (man, I am hard to please) is (1)

Indexing the part AFTER setting Zero............ Not the worst, but
could be beneficial to set it after for pre-finished parts.

>
> and (2), now I would have to learn about servos ! (Oh,

honey,...... I need MORE money!)

>

Aren't there both stepper and servo drivers available from Geckodrive?
How fast can you rotate the spindle with the servos under controlled
motion? I would think the practical limit would only be the ability
to process the encoder feedback. I would get the answer to this
question before I ***ever*** considered a mechanical solution to this
problem. While it's fun to make the parts, it's not fun to replace
them in the field.....ever.


Best Regards,

Fred Smith
IMService