Re: CNC Retrofit of Smithy 1324 CNC

That would be great! Is there some resources or a page of good links
I could use to begin to get up to speed on performing this retrofit?

Would BobCad version 17 be ok?

I was looking at the unipolar xyz stepper driver circuit by Hannes
Wedemeyer in the files section under "Bipolar Driver Board". The
input block is labeled DANCAM connections. Is this an industry
standard connector block. Using the L297 and 298 looks pretty
straight forward and I can see how the xyz and direction CW/CCW
works. To drive these inputs I would need an interface that accepts
serial from the host pc and translates the commands into xyz outputs
for direction and speed. Is the manual FULL/HALF step switch
generally done? Can this be automated? I guess it depends on the
degrees per step of the motors? This is a 12V motor system. I
looked at the spec sheets on the L297 and it uses 3.3 to 5V min max
on the control signals. What about encoders? Are they necessary?

To many questions. Some links would be greatly appreciated. Maybe a
recommendation for a good primer book. I think I can take it from
there if I can bounce some more questions off you guys in the future.

Thanks for steering me the right way.

Ted

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "John Guenther" <j.guenther@v...> wrote:
> 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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