Re: A "simple" Hexapod project

I'm glad there are others who would consider giving it a go or at
least exploring the possibility.

Dan, the real question is, do you have 6 of those actuators :)

Rab, Yep you were the guy with the 5axis machine that inspired me. I
also noticed your comment on your cnc toolbox site about creating
outputs for hexapods. It sounds like if the time came that software
was needed that something could be sorted out. A man with a hexapod
on his bench would probably be more motivated than one just thinking
about it, hopefully one day that will be me.

I was wondering in the car last night how to zero a hexapod. I'm
guessing a spirit level for angle and then just jog x,y. That would
be the problem with running in Mach1. Otherwise perhaps TurboCNC
could be modified as paying the $20 gets the source code. eek scary
stuff but doable. I am not sure which is better(worse), my maths or
my programming.

Carl,

Fantastic work! To clarify, I mean stiffness in the actuator, if it
flops about is will change it's length. As for the twisting I just
meant that as for any arangement of linear rails they should
be "locked down" apart from anything else it will make the carriage
run better. I am considering a smaller machine than you, perhaps
just moving a small airgrinder or minature dremel clone. Any play in
it will be more obvious on a smaller part.

So I suppose my first step is to sit down and work out the envelope I
am going for and the basic dimensions of the actuators and outer
frame so I can build an actuator to try.

Cheers,

Graham