RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Home page pic

HI Chris,

I'd be interested in seeing more photos. I'm particularly interested in
seeing the tool changer! Maybe something similar would work on my current
"Baby PCB Router" project.

I have similar interests; I wrote my STEP4 controller program after first
just wanting to do some simple stepper motor moves. I've both bought
Gecko's and built drivers; and I've currently milled a PCB for USB-CNC's CNC
controller program and pulse generator board to go along with EAS stepper
driver boards.

A good way to learn! Even though I'm running a CNC'd Sherline mill and
lathe, I'm finding it quite informative to design and build this little
router. And a good way to use up the surplus motion control stuff I
collected.

I have two pix posted in the photos section of the SherlineCNC list under
"KM6VV Engines". Not finished. When I get it finished, I guess I should
give it its OWN folder!

Alan KM6VV

>
> 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
>
>