Re: Home page pic

Hi, I'm interested how you built the table slides. It looks like
you're straddling some dimensional aluminum extrusions with nylon
blocks acting as a bearing surface, but it's hard to see for sure.

On 8/6/06, lcdpublishing <lcdpublishing@...> wrote:
> Hi Dave,
>
> Thanks for posting the photo of the little machine. I think it does
> require a bit of explanation as to it's function and purposes so if
> you don't mind I will clarify all that here...
>
> This machine started out with a simply purpose, to be used as a
> plotter for some motion control software I am writing/converting. I
> wrote some CNC simulation software that is a commercial product -
> (that is no longer for sale).
>
> Anyway, seeing as I had the interpreters written for lathe and mills
> and the graphics plotting etc., I figured it wouldn't be too much
> more work to take it to the next level of motion control as well.
>
> I am also learning about electronics and micro controllers etc. So
> I decided to combine all of this into a single project - the
> minimill you see in that photo. Just to clarify, the motion control
> software, related circuits and the machine are NOT COMMERCIAL
> products, it is stricly something for me to further explore CNC at a
> deeper level.
>
> As this isn't for profit, I am doing my darndest to make if fun.
> Somewhere along the way, I got to thinking that this little machine
> could be more than just a plotter. So, I provided the mounting for
> a pnuematic spindle in case I wanted to do more with it and now that
> has changed as well...
>
> With the motion control hardware/software nearly completed (only the
> hard parts left to do ;-)), I got a crazy idea that it would be fun
> to add an electric spindle to the headstock, then this led to the
> idea of a tool changer, which led to the need for a tool magazine.
>
> I just finished designing and building a new headstock for it that
> provides all the functions to have an automatic tool changers. The
> driver circuits and controller circuits and micro-software are being
> tested this weekend. Integration into the CNC simulation software
> will also be done today if life cooperates.
>
> While the main goal of gaining a deeper understanding of motion
> control is still primary, this project has really been a great
> learning experience for electronics and micro controllers. It has
> also been a ton of fun as I dream up new stuff to add to it all the
> time which provides for many more learning experiences with
> electronics and micros. It appears as though when I am done with
> this machine (if I am ever done with it), it should be a really good
> PCB manufacturing machine tool. It will have a 38 tool magazine
> that can hold all the tools for PCB millling/drilling and the
> ability to automatically change tools, measure their lengths and
> diameters etc.
>
> The CNC simulation software that is being converted for this use is
> also moving along very well. As with any project of this size and
> scale, to keep it all fun, I just work on what seems interesting for
> the day when I roll out of bed.
>
> If Dave (and the group) would like, I can provide many more photos
> during the comming months.
>
> So, that's it in a nutshell.
>
> Chris