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  #691  
Old Wed 30 September 2015, 01:40
racedirector
Just call me: Bruce #122
 
New South Wales
Australia
Hi Alan

Its a PathPilot restore disk from Tormach, about US35.00 plus post. These are guys on cnczone that are entertaining the GPL aspect of LinuxCNC and getting it for nothing. Apparently they are going to share the DVD iso around as well...
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  #692  
Old Mon 19 October 2015, 07:25
racedirector
Just call me: Bruce #122
 
New South Wales
Australia
Been playing with Fusion 360 lately and slowly figuring things out. Just about to try out the CAM side of things on my new belt drives. Interface is a little strange to me having never used a 3D system before but getting there. Best of all it is free
Attached Images
File Type: png Fusion 360 playing.png (89.4 KB, 1026 views)
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  #693  
Old Thu 29 October 2015, 18:44
racedirector
Just call me: Bruce #122
 
New South Wales
Australia
What happens when you don't double check tool paths..... the round hole should be a 6mm deep counterbore, not a through hole. And I was so sure I checked that toolpath.

One piece of scrap 12mm x 100mm x 180mm aluminium
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Wasted 12mm plate.jpg (190.8 KB, 956 views)
File Type: jpg Oops too deep.jpg (129.5 KB, 956 views)
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  #694  
Old Thu 29 October 2015, 18:50
pblackburn
Just call me: Pete #98
 
South-Central Pennsylvania
United States of America
Yeah, that sucks. I had my z zero set wrong and milled out the spoilboard straight through once. Hardest the spindle ever had to work.
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  #695  
Old Thu 29 October 2015, 19:36
clarson66
Just call me: Chris & Leon #100
 
Adelaide
Australia
Yep, been there done that. But why is always the last bit of machining, you have that perfect piece of work then watch as the mayhem unfolds and product becomes scrap.
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  #696  
Old Thu 29 October 2015, 20:08
racedirector
Just call me: Bruce #122
 
New South Wales
Australia
Tell me about it..... while it is happily boring away I'm thinking "that seems to be taking too long for 6mm deep....."
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  #697  
Old Sat 31 October 2015, 21:36
lonestaral
Just call me: Al #114
 
Isarn
Thailand
Send a message via Skype™ to lonestaral
Robert Burns wrote something about the best laid plans of men and mice going astray.
It is also covered by Murphys Law, a.k.a. Sods Law.
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  #698  
Old Tue 15 December 2015, 23:44
master2000
Just call me: master
 
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Hi racedirector I see your video nice work I like to now if you can share the configuration file anD the modification to make it work I order the DVD I like to learning to make it work
Techsavvy CNC on youtube share the files but it use the 5i25 I/O and the PMDX-126
But to learn to mod the pp will be great I am new on linuxcnc the paralleport option is good start point

Thanks for you time and keep you good work
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  #699  
Old Mon 16 May 2016, 22:24
racedirector
Just call me: Bruce #122
 
New South Wales
Australia
Been a while since I did anything on the MM and I haven't been happy with my construction of the beast for a while now.

I spent alot of time tuning the motors and now have them performing like never before. The software that came with the AM882's I have is brilliant, the motors really purr now at all speeds.

To aid in making them better I abandoned my self cut belt drives and went to the local engineering firm to get a set of SurfCNC's drive plates cut. A$150 later and I now have 4:1 drives on all axis. Sooooo much better and smoother. Thanks Ross for the drawings!

I am running 30T pinions at the moment, I may get the 24T pinions I have bored to 1/2" and try them out or grab some 25's and do the same. I had the max speed set at 25,400 mm/pm but it is too scary at that. My rapids are now set to around 16,000 mm/pm.

I then set my ends stops exactly the same and got my gantry hitting both stops in tandem by tweaking the shims in the front 2 v bearings. Doing this highlighted another issue with my inadequate construction techniques, the frame is not square.

To continue to making things better I trashed the old spoil board and base and am currently installing new ones. The pic shows the bare topped machine. Getting the new base board dead centre of the Y threw up the problem I had identified during the gantry tweaking, the frame is a parallelogram with one side being 2.5mm out. In my books that is not good enough so I am trying to figure out how to get the frame square again so I can continue to attached the new base & spoil boards. Having an autumn head cold is not helping matters much, much sitting staring at the machine and not much action
Attached Images
File Type: jpg belt drive mechmate.jpg (45.2 KB, 698 views)
File Type: jpg bare top mechmate.jpg (44.3 KB, 699 views)
File Type: jpg left side base board.jpg (31.0 KB, 701 views)
File Type: jpg right side base board.jpg (28.4 KB, 701 views)
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  #700  
Old Wed 18 May 2016, 02:10
Robert M
Just call me: Robert
 
Lac-Brome, Qc
Canada
Send a message via Yahoo to Robert M Send a message via Skype™ to Robert M
...... "Doing this highlighted another issue with my inadequate construction techniques, the frame is not square."....

Bruce, did you follow Gerald technique ??... "see this link "
All the best....
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  #701  
Old Wed 18 May 2016, 04:32
racedirector
Just call me: Bruce #122
 
New South Wales
Australia
Hi Robert

Yup, saw that and implemented it. Now 0.375mm out of square. Once the new base and spoils are down I'll do the famous 2x 6mm sheets and readjust the gantry
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  #702  
Old Tue 24 May 2016, 08:31
racedirector
Just call me: Bruce #122
 
New South Wales
Australia
Well it seems I am sucker for punishment.....

I have never been happy with my X rails and I am sure they are one of the causes of my frustration. So today I stripped the old ones off in preparation for replacements. Will grab some more 65x50x6 angle (A$90 for 9m) and go through the whole cutting and grinding once again. Not really looking forward to it but in my mind it has to be done. This time it will be so much measure twice and cut once it won't be funny... ho hum.

Pics as I go for posterity
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  #703  
Old Tue 24 May 2016, 17:03
smreish
Just call me: Sean - #5, 28, 58 and others
 
Orlando, Florida
United States of America
It is always easier the second time. I redid my y rails once during the build.

Tricks to make it go quicker if you didn't do this before.

1) cut to height with a narrow kerf cutting disk and use flat washers in the cut to support the drop to keep the weight off the cutting wheel. (it goes faster)
2) Use a 36 - 60 Grit sanding disk supported by a REAL grinding disk to set refrerence grind flat
3) when using the skate, use the 36 grit sanding disk to knock down the 45 degree chamfer about 90% of the way, then use the grinding disk for the last few passes (or 80 grit sanding disk supported) for final finish.

I did the whole machine over in a day.

GOod luck
Sean
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  #704  
Old Tue 24 May 2016, 18:41
racedirector
Just call me: Bruce #122
 
New South Wales
Australia
Thanks Sean, good tips. I have some 125mm 1mm flexovit cuttings disks left over from last time, they cut steel like butter. My biggest struggle last time was with the skate, will make sure this time I have it nicely free flowing and tight on the angle. Next problem will be finding somewhere to do it, I used the machine base last time but now there is a gantry in the way... such first world problems!
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  #705  
Old Wed 25 May 2016, 12:36
Fox
Just call me: Fox
 
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Your gantry is easy to lift higher supported by some wood blocks, already did it once for transport. One man job.
Its also easy to put on the table itself, parallel to one of your main beams, if you have some spare hands.


On my table I only undid the gearboxes, locked the cart with some straps and up and 90 degrew around she went.
20 minute job for two. Then you have full play on half of your table surface.

Last edited by Fox; Wed 25 May 2016 at 12:39..
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  #706  
Old Sun 29 May 2016, 23:40
racedirector
Just call me: Bruce #122
 
New South Wales
Australia
Thanks Fox

I did raise the gantry with axel stands but still could not get it high enough to get my AEG 125mm grinder underneath safely and cannot put the gantry sideways on the table due to my cable track. I have found a solution though.

While looking for cutting blades I came across an Australians company selling rotary hacksaw blades, these fit in a circular saw basically turning it into a metal cutting cold saw. I have one of these blades on order and will basically set the angle up on a couple of saw horses and modify my old circ saw with guides to cut the 28mm leg. From what I have seen of these blades is pretty impressive. The company is AustSaw and their range of blades can be seen here: http://www.austsaw.com.au/saw-blade-...rotary-hacksaw
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  #707  
Old Tue 31 May 2016, 07:34
racedirector
Just call me: Bruce #122
 
New South Wales
Australia
Got my new blade today.... and promptly tired it out. It does cut steel incredibly easy as it does for fingers...... somehow I managed to get my left index finger in the way and came close to taking the complete top off it. It now has a 3mm wide gash in it, down to the bone, that is causing me to visit another hospital tomorrow for a plastic surgeon to take a look at. That was after visiting a medical facility first, then the emergency room of the local hospital only to be told it will probably need surgery. Such is the fun of working with power tools
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  #708  
Old Tue 31 May 2016, 12:24
bradm
Just call me: Brad #10
 
Somerville(MA)
United States of America
Very sorry to hear that, Bruce. Glad that it is minor compared to what it might have been. We all get these little reminders on occasion that we should slow down and double check our safety. I've got a collection of scars, and a fresh slash on my arm from a garden irrigation fitting that snapped while I was trying to brute force it off without the proper tool. Even a completely rounded plastic elbow can bite you if you give it a chance.
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  #709  
Old Tue 31 May 2016, 14:05
Robert M
Just call me: Robert
 
Lac-Brome, Qc
Canada
Send a message via Yahoo to Robert M Send a message via Skype™ to Robert M
Another....scary close call !!
Glad too to read it's only minor.....we've all red horror stories about cutting blades !!....I too know own a few reminders ( or should say missing)
All the best

Last edited by Robert M; Tue 31 May 2016 at 14:08..
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  #710  
Old Tue 31 May 2016, 17:32
servant74
Just call me: Jack
 
Nashville (Tennessee)
United States of America
I have a friend that passed last year. Years ago (while teaching shop in a high school I think) made a nice clean cut that took a line that took off 3 finger tips back to the middle knuckle on one hand. He didn't talk about it, but safety was his main stay for the time I knew him!
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  #711  
Old Thu 02 June 2016, 00:29
Surfcnc
Just call me: Ross #74
 
Queensland
Australia
Bruce ... ouch !!
Take it slow and heal up properly.

You showed great ingenuity using the bolts and nuts to hold the belt drive plates apart.
The two lower ones on the drive can be drilled out to fit and M8 bolt.
This reduces further any chance of misalignment between the plates as they are so stout.

Cheers
Ross
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  #712  
Old Thu 02 June 2016, 01:09
racedirector
Just call me: Bruce #122
 
New South Wales
Australia
Thanks for the comments guys. Surgery yesterday apparently cleaned things up somewhat. They had to reopen the wound to get the bone fragments out and remove the finger nail to rebuild the nail base where the blade went through before replacing the fingernail. Lots of pain meds and antibiotics to chug down. With my arm in a sling to keep the finger elevated I am pretty stuffed in doing anything. Back to the hospital Monday for the first checkup.

Ross: I used the bolts and nuts to avoid having to get all the spacers exactly the same height without a lathe. Using the nuts turned out pretty good in being able to adjust each stud to exactly the same height. They are all locked in place with a final lock nut. I might still use your suggestion of using M8's on the bottoms for a little more strength though.
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  #713  
Old Thu 02 June 2016, 05:04
MetalHead
Just call me: Mike
 
Columbiana AL
United States of America
Ouch !! Sorry to here about your finger!! Hope all goes well to get you back to 100% !!
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  #714  
Old Thu 02 June 2016, 06:46
sailfl
Just call me: Nils #12
 
Winter Park, FL
United States of America
Bruce, I have cut my self but not what you did. I hope you heal quickly and you are able to use every thing.
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  #715  
Old Fri 01 July 2016, 07:58
racedirector
Just call me: Bruce #122
 
New South Wales
Australia
Due to Metalheads shout out I thought I would say something so it isn't so quiet around here.

The finger is slowly getting there, still can't put any pressure on it so I am taking a different track with my machine. Rather than keep it down waiting for the new X & Y rails I will start, this weekend, to put it back together with the old ones but this time do a bit more tuning while I am at it. That way I can get back to cutting stuff instead of having a great hunk of useless steel sitting in the garage.

I got inspired by a talk a long lost friend made about business including his own, Booktopia. After making alot of sense he inspired me to get off my butt and do something.

Hopefully within a week I can can report the ole girl is cutting again!
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  #716  
Old Fri 01 July 2016, 08:09
pblackburn
Just call me: Pete #98
 
South-Central Pennsylvania
United States of America
Wow Bruce, this is the first email notification from your thread I have seen in a while. Sorry to hear about the digit. Hope it heals nicely. I got my index finger tip into an end mill 7/8" once. Removed the nail, carved the bone out in a nice half moon fillet and split it length wise. I feel for ya. Finger injuries take a little commitment to regain feeling, sensitivity and usability but it comes. Hope you are better soon.
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  #717  
Old Fri 01 July 2016, 19:32
lonestaral
Just call me: Al #114
 
Isarn
Thailand
Send a message via Skype™ to lonestaral
Wishing you a complete recovery.
Yes it has been quiet on here recently.
I will make a dummy video camera and microphone today
for the kids at school to use in an English lesson.
A job for the bandsaw methinks, no need to involve a sophisticated
piece of machinery.
Keep safe.
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  #718  
Old Mon 04 July 2016, 06:26
racedirector
Just call me: Bruce #122
 
New South Wales
Australia
Thanks guys.

Pete, that encounter with an end mill sounds so much worse than my encounter! Serious pain right there. Good to hear things have come right.

Al, good luck with your things for the kids, hope it all works/worked out ok. Gotta love making stuff for the kids

I found a couple of stitches that should have been gone, one in the main gash and other that looks to be holding the nail on. Pulled the nail one thinking it was a dog hair, bad move I can tell ya! Back to the docs this week to have them gone....wondered why the damn thing still hurt in places.

On the MM front... while going through my steel pile I found 2 main rails that I originally made and rejected. I have no idea why I did that as they seem to be better made than the ones I used on the machine. So today I fitted those and am currently resetting my distances apart to have my gantry in the right place. Not sure now if I will actually redo the X rails, will see how the machine performs before decided what to do with 7 meters of 65x50x6 angle......
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  #719  
Old Thu 07 July 2016, 06:02
Kornerking
Just call me: Pete #127
 
Big Falls, Mn
United States of America
Bruce, when I had my grafts from the fire they used staples to attach the new skin. When they took them out the deadened the hands. Only problem is the missed a couple. When I went back in the doc found them and removed them live. NOT FUN.

Question. Why were you changing your rails?
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  #720  
Old Sat 16 July 2016, 07:10
racedirector
Just call me: Bruce #122
 
New South Wales
Australia
Sorry Pete, missed this.

That sound painful, far worse than my finger. Hope things are better now.

Why am I replacing? Well, firstly I am a perfectionist, a downfall at times. Wasn't happy with the rails I had on it and I wanted to make them better. I had installed a new base & spoilboards and was trimming the edges when the bit plowed through the steel crossbeam on one end only while missing the others which told me that I had screwed up somewhere.

The new rails I have now (well new old ones previously rejected) seem better. Yes the machine is back together again and traversing all axis. Can't run it yet, am replacing the spindle cooling as well cause again I wasn't happy with my first try. Have a new 24V pump on its way, 6M head so it should be enough and am building a coolant holding tank like I have seen here. It will include a flow meter and an arduino powered flow display so I can see if it is actually working as well as John Guest tubing and fittings. I have the control box part done and responding to M8 (flow coolant on) and M9 (coolant off) in Pathpilot, one of the relays on the PMDX-126 switching 24V on and off with those M commands and the wiring from the box to the pump waiting to be connected.
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