Re: Hello all... my first post..... clamping

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "IWIWIYRN" <btrent@c...>
wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I have been looking to build one of these and after much research
> decided to join up here. About myself..
>
> I'm 35 yrs old, an Industrial Electrician/Technician for TRW
> Automotive. Married, 2 girls, 10 and 12. Live in East Tenn.
>
> What I am planning on doing is a 3 axis gantry type configuration

to

> mill wood, plastic, some thin metal or aluminum. I plan to use
> Gecko drives, 30V servos, quad encoders. My two biggest obstacles

I

> foresee is:
> 1. Which CAM program to use.
> 2. What type of clamping/holding apparatus for the workpiece.
> I probably won't get a CAD program at the moment but probably will
> in the future. I have some experience in industrial CNC (i.e.
> Fanuc, Allen Bradley, Mazak, ect) so I will probably write the G-
> codes manually and run them through a simulator program.
> DeskCNC seems suitable for my application. Haven't read too many
> complaints on here about it.
> Any suggestions on the clamping design would be helpful also.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Brian Trent

Hi Brian,

Dave here, South Jersey, 2 girls.7&9, 3 CNC's

I have one machine that clamps a parts then does the work. unclamps,
moves table then clamps again.

For a router, it would be something like clamping the sheet metal,
move the table to zero, then turn on the vaccume to clamp the part or
use side clamps on the boards.

The only thing is that you need consistant stock sizes.

for multiple parts, you can use one large stock and do the cookie
cutter thing, make a small fixture and put in single parts.

As far as software, I can't offer much other than to ask what type of
work you want to do ? Sign making software would be much different
becasue you do letters and fonts, than say a PCB where you etch the
outline of the traces and different than say for a turbine blade
where 5 axis of motion might be used. You could use one software
for each type, but there are some that are tailored to specifc uses.



Dave