Re: Newbie would like some help building please

Carl,

I've always been interested in the hexapod style design and have six
ballscrews 'spare' if I ever have the time to experiment.
Would you mind sharing some details of your hexapod design ?
Do you have any photos ?

Regards,

Rab

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "Carl Mikkelsen, Oasis"
<Carl.Mikkelsen@o...> wrote:

> Mike,
>
> I've built a hexapod with a Porter Cable trim router as the head.

It was

> designed to cut (with sign-like Z-axis of ~2") over a range of

48"x36", but

> in reality only does about 40"x30". When I want 18" of z-axis plus

roll

> and pitch, the x-y range is more limited.
>
> It is not fast. With the motors and drivers, I can only count on

about

> 1/2"/sec.
>
> But, I learned a great deal about 6-axis control and 5-axis
> milling. Although I'm building a faster/stronger machine, this has

not in

> any sense been a waste.
>
> My cost for everything (steel, screws, base, motors, motor drivers,

power

> supply, pendant), not counting some experiments, is about $400.00.

I had

> the computer, and a good background in electronics and programming.
>
> This doesn't count the tools I bought :) [drill press, welder,

taps,

> clamps, ...]
>
> How much of the work do you want to do yourself, and how much do

you want

> to buy?
>
> For my next machine, I'm using ballscrews, and will spend as much

on the

> screws as I spent on the entire previous machine. I'm also going

to a more

> powerful spindle, so that I can cut aluminum at higher speed.
>
> The advantage of a hexapod (in my view) is that you don't have the

long

> ways that must be straight and true. Mechanical errors are

calibrated out

> of the system in software.
>
> As for tool life, I find that carbide bits last for a long time in
> wood. HSS bits don't last long at all.
>
> -- Carl