Re: CNC Retrofit of Smithy 1324 CNC

if you are looking to get your hands on some new steppers then i
think pacific scientific has the best bang for the buck... just to
give you an example... i just bought 3 nema 34 stepping motors with a
holding torque of 1850 oz.-in. for less then $300 a piece... that's
not a bad deal, so you could imagine what steppers for your smithy
will cost...

> I would say that for $3125 you should be able to convert your

Smithy to CNC

> and put about $2000 into the bank for future tooling. You can make

the

> mounts for the stepper motors, buy the drivers from Gecko or

Camtronics,

> build a power supply and wire it up. For control software use EMC,

CNCpro,

> DeskNC, DeskNCrt, Master5, DeskWinNC, TurboCNC or what ever else

appeals to

> you. Don't get me wrong, FlashCut is a nice package, but it

currently does

> not support all G or M codes and you are limited to the FlashCut

control

> software. There are several packages that convert DCF files to G-

code or

> will output G-code directly from the CAD/CAM system. You might

want to look

> at Vector for this capability. Bottom line, you can do this for a

lot less

> than $3125 and have a better system IMHO. I did my own conversion

using

> Camtronics drivers and EMC for control software and the total cost

was under

> $400.00. This was for a small machine but the only real cost

difference

> would be in the size of the steppers needed for the Smithy.
>
> John Guenther
> Sterling, Virginia
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: tmylen [mailto:ted@m...]
> > Sent: Monday, March 04, 2002 7:01 AM
> > To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y...
> > Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] CNC Retrofit of Smithy 1324 CNC
> >
> >
> > Hi Everyone,
> >
> > I am new to the list. Most of the posts are over my head but I am
> > beginning to get a general feel for the lingo of CNC.
> >
> > I would like to give you a little history of my hobby and training
> > for that hobby.
> >
> > I have been a computer buff since 1979. I have since owned or had
> > access to computers and write programs in C, C++, Visual Basic,

and

> > Palm handhelds use C++ and basic. I also write embedded programs

in

> > C and basic. My hobby extended into electronics about 4 years ago
> > and I have received training from the local community college

through

> > digital circuits. I can program PIC, 68HC11, DSP, and Basic Stamp
> > devices. I have built one robot using the MIT Handyboard that

uses

> > encoders and ultrasonic distance sensors. All it does is run

around

> > and avoid "most" objects. I understand stepper motor technology

and

> > have built and used several circuits to drive old floppy disk
> > steppers and many others I have salvaged from fax and old

printers.

> > I have successfully used encoders to govern speed and position

using

> > both stepper and reversable motors.
> >
> > I bought the Smithy about 4 months ago and have been reading as

much

> > as I can, and can afford, to bring myself up to speed on various
> > techniques of machining metal, mostly aluminum and plastic, but I
> > have some ideas about using steel. My main interest initially is

in

> > cutting gears and threads for drive systems.
> >
> > I have a Vertex dividing head with three dividing plates. It can

be

> > positioned from vertical to horizontal. I have a three-jaw chuck

to

> > fit to the head.
> >
> > The Smithy company refers me to Flashcut CNC for a retrofit

package

> > for this Smithy. They quote me a three-axis outfit price of $3125
> > which includes controller and motors. I believe it is with

stepper

> > motors and not servos.
> >
> > My first question is: What is the best CNC software for a home
> > hobbyist that can output DXP to the Flashcut system? I have

looked

> > at BobCad, Deskproto, and SurfCam. BobCad has a very attractive
> > price range and the version 17 can do 3D. I looked at the "G"

code

> > syntax and it looks pretty straight-forward. My initial goal with
> > CNC would be to set up standard cutting tool-paths for plastic
> > (Delrin) and aluminum gears for robotic drive gearboxes.
> >
> > My second question is: What is an affordable CAD program that can
> > interface with the low end CAM programs above? I haven't looked

at

> > any in this regard.
> >
> > My money saved for this hobby has almost been depleted. I need

some

> > type of "target" amount based on a hardware and software
> > configuration selected in the near term for future implementation
> > (when I can save the monies required).
> >
> > I have the computing power in my shop to handle any of these

packages

> > already. I have computers that run DOS 6.2, Windows 3.1 and WFW
> > 3.11, Win 95, Win 98, Win Me, Win 2k, and now my wife has a new

Win

> > XP. The processors range from 286 and 386 (both retired but
> > revivable), Pentium II 233, 350, and 650, and Celeron 400. The
> > motherboards are mostly Abit with a new Gainward I am trying out.
> >
> > Any input would be most appreciated and highly valued. I have a
> > large learning curve but I am diligent and have the desire.
> >
> > Thanks for your time.
> >
> > Ted
> >
> > ted@m...
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Addresses:
> > FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
> > FILES: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/
> >
> > OFF Topic POSTS: General Machining
> > http://www.metalworking.com/news_servers.html
> > http://www.metalworking.com/news_servers.html
> >
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