posted
Was goofing off this weekend and decided to build a 4th axis for the SB from some old machine parts I had laying around. Here is a test part I made from an old 4x4.Trying some different designs and depths.
Getting ready to do some work in the house, I think some decorative spindles are in the plan.
((Don't Laugh too hard at my Ghetto table.. Its 10 years old now and still does the job. (And its paid for).))
posted
VERY NICE Bill!!! I watched a video last week of one of them in action. They look pretty slick!
Are you able to create these type of routing files and if so in what program??
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Dan, This design was done in Artcam. I just laid out my Flat blank to the Diameter/width with you PI*r2 formula. so it worked out that mt 4x4 once turned was 3.25 which gives me a 10.210 Circumference so I made my blank 10.210w x 22t. Did all my layout. Just imported some stock stuff I had into AC. Wrote all my codes, then used a program called CnC wrapper. (Slick program for $25) and it converted my codes to run the indexer. I did it as my X axis converts to my B Axis and it changes it to degrees instead. Pretty simple actually.
I also use a program called Rhinocam that will do continuous 4 and 5 axis machining that way I can machine stuff in full 3d with undercuts.
I am in the process of developing/Building a machine. (My Vertiroute Series)that will be able to machine items out a full blocks of 4ft x 4ft x 10ft or longer material.(Foam or HDU).. Once I Get my patent # I will post more details on it along with some other specialized CnC tools I have designed. Since I've been a little slow I'm putting my down time to good use. (Kinda)
posted
I think you just won the router wars!!!!!! That is amazing Bill! I can't wait to see more.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Bill - my eyes are rolling around inside my head like marbles in a tin can.... Not sure what your Chinese explanation all means...but I do know this...THAT was really cool! Nice job!
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
| IP: Logged |
And it's all done with a Pea Shooter and lots of creativity.
-------------------- Joe Crumley Norman Sign Company 2200 Research Park Blvd. Norman, OK 73069 Posts: 1428 | From: 2200 Research Park Blvd. | Registered: Sep 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Bill, your 'ghetto table' is really impressive, so are you! Well done!
(Our router has spare sockets for a 4th axis to be attached to the control board. The idea of a rotary axis is tempting. Did you get a 2nd-hand lathe chuck & servo, or new? You wouldn't need a limit switch or start/end when all you do is rotate, would you? )
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- Catharine C. Kennedy CCK Graphics 1511 Route 28 Chatham Center, NY 12184 cck1620@taconic.net "Look at me, Look at me, Look at me now! I't's fun to have fun, But you have to know how!" Posts: 2173 | From: downtown Chatham Center, NY | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
What did he say? I have no idea what all those words mean, but I do know that you produce some fantastic work. Congratulations on using your creativity.
And here I am still trying to cut out a square.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
I love it when the mind is put into the creativity mode and something like this emerges.
Bravo. Ok back to tearing my router apart.
-------------------- Sam Staffan Mackinaw Art & Sign 721 S. Nokomis St. Mackinaw City, MI dstaffan@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1694 | From: Mackinaw City, MI | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
quote:Was goofing off this weekend and decided to build a 4th axis for the SB from some old machine parts I had laying around.
I was goofing off this weekend and so far have rendered our RV unusable for the promised Thanksgiving camping trip with the grandkids. I need to apply some of your creative genius to getting the RV back in functioning form.
Great job!
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
That is WAAAAY cool! Another question or two..... What type bit did you use? I have an old machinist's lathe; can it be adapted to use for this?
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7404 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks everyone.. It was fun now on to the large version.
Ian, Curtis, Wayne The Rotary axis is an Old Sherline 4 Inch Rotary Table with a 2 to 1 reduction allowing me to use a stepper as that gives me a .09 degree resoultion which is great for items up to 8" or so. I had this from an old mill setup.
(The next setup may be all servo driven as the resolution is much higher but very high resolution can be achieved with steppers and the right gear reductions at the cost of speed.)
The Stepper motor was new I bought New from Keling is a Nema 23. And I had to buy a Gecko Driver that I installed into the shopbot controller.
As for the Limit switch. I had one on there but was useless as you said all it does is go round and round so I took it off and just reset my zero once I get the blank installed.
Wanye You could use the lathe chuck but would have to modify it to accept the drive shaft from the motor.. For a direct drive system along with a mounting plate. Pretty easy task with a lathe and mill.
I would look at transmission setup using a gilmer belt. (Toothed belt) with corresponding gears to increase the resolution you can get them at all different resolutions. This may be the setup I use on the big machine so I don't have to buy such honken big motors. (Or even a car timing chain.)
As for the piece at hand. I started with a scrap chunk of 4x4 from an old pallet. Did my roughing/Round with a 1/2" bit.. I got a little aggressive by trying to go to fast and lost about 5 degrees so I had to slow it down. (Tried it round the board at 20ips OOPS)
Did my roughing cuts with a 1/4 flat with a .08 offset then the finish cut was done with a 1/8 ball bit with a 8% overlap.. I did do a section with a 1/16" ball bit but really didn't see much improvement so I stopped. Total time machining the part was about 8 hours.
I machine the item along the Y Axis. By doing this it gave the rotary tables stepper a break instead of always turning. The Y carriage would cut then rotary would turn 1/2 degree then the y would go back. with the x axis never moving.This is called indexing.
For continuous machining whereas all 4 axis move at the same time you need special programs designed for this. I use one called Rhinocam that's an add on for Rhino 3d and that's a whole other monster to get into. I will post some samples of that next week. Hope all this make sense.. There's a reason I will never write a book.
I was wondering, when you said 'now on to the large version', how you would fit it under the router head, but I see you dropped the chuck & lathe parts below or down into the bed...
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm impressed Bill! It amazes what people on this BB can do! Amazing! I envy your talent!
-------------------- Tony Vickio The World Famous Vickio Signs 3364 Rt.329 Watkins Glen, NY 14891 t30v@vickiosigns.com 607-535-6241 http://www.vickiosigns.com Posts: 1063 | From: Watkins Glen, New York | Registered: Sep 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
When Dan is interested on it you know you have a winner. Bill
-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I spoke with MultiCam this morning. Apparently they have a 4th axis router now in production. This may just get real interesting...
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic