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  #1  
Old Fri 13 November 2009, 23:30
Rad Racer
Just call me: Wayne #25
 
Minnesota
United States of America
Rotary Axis Lithophanes

Taking the lead from Greolt(Greg), I finished my 4th axis and starting carving Lithophanes. I saw what greg did and had too try it for myself.

I used Photovcrave and CNCWrapper just as Greg did with his carvings. The last photo is not focused, but gives you an idea of the detail. It is amazing to see these things with back lighting.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg DSCN4571.JPG (94.7 KB, 1529 views)
File Type: jpg DSCN4576.JPG (97.2 KB, 1529 views)
File Type: jpg DSCN4579.JPG (76.2 KB, 1529 views)
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  #2  
Old Sat 14 November 2009, 02:42
martin77pl
Just call me: Martin #39
 
Wroclaw
Poland
Wow, beautiful work. What material are you using? Is it white pipe made of plastic.
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  #3  
Old Sat 14 November 2009, 07:24
Rad Racer
Just call me: Wayne #25
 
Minnesota
United States of America
Yes, it is plastic (PVC). PVC pipe is very common here in the US, it's used primarly for plumbing.
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  #4  
Old Sat 14 November 2009, 09:38
Rad Racer
Just call me: Wayne #25
 
Minnesota
United States of America
Here's a YouTube link......it shows the 4th axis in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIk-41dQYzg
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  #5  
Old Sat 14 November 2009, 11:03
javeria
Just call me: Irfan #33
 
Bangalore
India
Wayne - can you tell us more about your mach settings on this one - probably detailed snapshots would help. - and did you set any backlash settings? - what is the reduction you are running

I am planning for a 1:16 reduction using double timing belt setup.

btw - very nice work

RGDS
Irfan
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  #6  
Old Sat 14 November 2009, 19:13
Rad Racer
Just call me: Wayne #25
 
Minnesota
United States of America
Hi Irfan,

The settings for Mach3 are pretty straight forward.....I have a few screen shots that should help.

Be sure to slave your "X" axis on the MechMate to either the "B" axis or the "C" axis. You need to use the "A" axis for the rotory table.

Setup your ports and pins to support the "A" axis. (see ports and pins photo)

Make sure that both your "A" and "B" axis are enabled. This is done on the "Settings" tab. (see axis enable photo)

Setup the "toolpath" to enable Mach3 to display your rotory work. (see toolpath photo)

My rotory axis is built from a Sherline rotory table, I just mount a stepper motor. The Sherline table has a gear ration of 72:1 (5deg/rev.)

Hope this helps,
Wayne
Attached Images
File Type: jpg axis enable.JPG (96.5 KB, 1531 views)
File Type: jpg ports & pins.JPG (97.3 KB, 1531 views)
File Type: jpg Toolpath.JPG (93.2 KB, 1528 views)
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  #7  
Old Sat 14 November 2009, 20:55
Castone
Just call me: Leo #41
 
Soddy Daisy , Tn
United States of America
That looks nice, might have to try that.
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  #8  
Old Sat 14 November 2009, 21:28
Rad Racer
Just call me: Wayne #25
 
Minnesota
United States of America
Thanks, glad you like them.

I made some more today, they will be the table center pieces at our end of the year banquet.

The details with backlighting is amazing....take a look at lithophane of the guy holding the plane(me )
Attached Images
File Type: jpg DSCN4587 (Small).JPG (16.8 KB, 1527 views)
File Type: jpg DSCN4591 (Small).JPG (18.9 KB, 1522 views)
File Type: jpg DSCN4588 (Small).JPG (20.6 KB, 1531 views)
File Type: jpg DSCN4592 (Small).JPG (20.3 KB, 1530 views)
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  #9  
Old Sun 15 November 2009, 00:08
Greolt
Just call me: Greg
 
Victoria
Australia
They look great Wayne. The detail certainly comes through.

What sort of tool and stepover are you using?

And what is the range of thickness of material left?

Greg
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  #10  
Old Sun 15 November 2009, 02:59
Claudiu
Just call me: Claus #43
 
Arad
Romania
Wayne,

these look absolutely awesome.
I`m impressed of the details which are possible with this technique, especially the guy holding a plane!
These are the things which push me more going back to work...

How thick is the PVC tube (wall thickness )? I see you have machined it in some places up to 2,5 mm - 3 mm ? Is that corect?

Great work.
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  #11  
Old Sun 15 November 2009, 07:29
Rad Racer
Just call me: Wayne #25
 
Minnesota
United States of America
Greolt,

For the rough cut I am using a Onsrud 1/8" tapered ballnose (77-104). The rough cut is up to .180" deep (in areas with very light features), with a 50% stepover @ 50ipm.

The finish cut is with a 1/16", 2 flute, ballnose cutter. The finish path takes an additional .02" material. The stepover is 15% @ 40ipm.

The total cut depth of both passes is .200", the PVC is ~.240 thick....so the lightest areas have a material thickness of about .04".

The cut time is about 2hrs......15min. for the roughing and 1hr 45min for the finish cut.

Wayne
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  #12  
Old Sun 15 November 2009, 07:38
Rad Racer
Just call me: Wayne #25
 
Minnesota
United States of America
Claus,

I appreciate the kind comments, thanks. The PVC is ~.240" thick (~6mm), some areas are as thin as .04" or about 1mm.

The MechMate is a great design! For me, these fine details sure highlight this machines capablility to hold tight tolerences.

Wayne
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  #13  
Old Sun 15 November 2009, 09:58
Kobus_Joubert
Just call me: Kobus #6
 
Riversdale Western Cape
South Africa
Send a message via Yahoo to Kobus_Joubert Send a message via Skype™ to Kobus_Joubert
I like I like.. Well done and keep them comming, I like to see this kind of stuff.
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  #14  
Old Sun 15 November 2009, 11:04
jehayes
Just call me: Joe #53
 
Whidbey Island, Washington
United States of America
Wayne, thanks for sharing these, they are an inspiration to those of us who are following along in your footsteps.
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  #15  
Old Sat 08 May 2010, 12:39
JohanG
Just call me: Johan
 
Durban
South Africa
Stunning work Wayne, well done!!
Keep Posting more!!!
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  #16  
Old Mon 10 May 2010, 21:13
Rad Racer
Just call me: Wayne #25
 
Minnesota
United States of America
Thanks Johan, glad you like to Lithophanes.
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