Thanks for the info Sean, I'll give it a try.

...JR, a little additional information.
Get a spiral up bit, 1 or 2 flute made for soft plastic.
The real key is get the chips out of the cutting path, otherwise they weld themselves back in the kerf and make for an ugly part.
Acrylic is really known for this, Polycarbonate doesn't weld as much, but it's really soft compared to other cutting materials.

I would recommend cutting most plastics with an o-flute cutter. I cut this with a 1/4" o flute up spiral and as Sean says good to get rid of the chips; up spirals do just that. Leaves a really smooth finish quite minimal chatter/tool marks if any. Not lexan, but cast acrylic. I'm sure it would cut very similar.

http://joescnc.com/gallery/albums/Co...vacplate-2.jpg

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=8017 here's the one I use, but onsrud and amana, most companies carry them

Thanks for the help guys :) Brian that's a nice cut.

Brian.
That is the same quality of cut I getting on my machine as well with Spiral Up Onsrud bits.
Thanks for posting a picture!

Np; but I def noticed a huge improvement in quality of cut in plastics when I went to the O-Flute. It just ejects chips nicer and leaves a cleaner finish. Onsrud, whatever company you use o-flute for plastics seems to be the way to go.

OK I'll bite. What does O-flute denote? Does that mean spiral?

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The highly polished open flute not only allows for easier chip formation and evacuation, but also provides for a sharper cutting edge that delivers a better edge finish on a variety of materials. Our premium micro grain carbide allows for superb wear resistance and tool strength. Special point geometry contributes to improved bottom finish and plunging capabilities. Tools are available in upcut and downcut versions from 1/16” through 3/8” diameters.
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Open flute, meaning open "groove", meaning a lighter weight bit, meaning more chance of breaking and less chance of re-sharpening. They do cut darn well, but treat them nicely - we have broken them simply by dropping them on the floor.

Today I moved the machine to it's new home.
Upgrades and pictures coming soon!
Over the holiday I will install the new 36" long slide and spider tower :)

Sean,
Really looking forward to the pics of the long tower. :)

Move done! Machine back in service. Only took about 8 hours to disconnect what needed to be, then moved 20 miles. Releveling, connections, motors remounted, etc. All done in one day!
I moved the entire machine assembled with the exception of taking the x motors off and putting the gantry on the table. A few ratchet straps and one forklift easily moved the machine on the flatbed quickly.

Pictures next week.

Sean

Indexer under constuction
 

I have the last bits of indexer gear showing up this week.
The modification is in 2 parts. The indexer and the slide.
Indexer:
Camco 40:1 indexing head with hollow bore mounting shaft
(small black handle will be replaced with big crank handle for easy set up. Motor you see is will be replaced by the OM stepper)
Oriental Motor PK299-F4.5A

Slide:
48" slide w/ premanufacture V rail
custom 8 roller spider plate

Aah, it's nice to see a REAL indexer for a change! :)

Something curious about their sales pitch though, the concept of backlash gets no mention in their definitions? Maybe those cams are loaded to be backlash-free?

Is your power supply voltage a good match for the PK299-F4.5A?

Gerald,
I played back in forth on the voltage when selecting this motor. The OM Engineer I was working with really helped me dial in this motor based on the speed/torque curves and my 56V power supply.
Hopefully, I made the right choice. If not, it's only a couple hundred dollars to try another one!

Indexer.
As far as I can tell, the indexer is preloaded in the +/- direction and appears to be very - very tight. I picked this model up at the surplus house for 95 dollars. It sells new for 3450.00. Not a bad for a quick find.
Based on my input voltage, speed and gear reduction - I should be able to comfortably spin 185# @ 50RPM. Fast enough for now.

I googled that Camco's backlash, apparently it is pre-loaded and does have zero backlash. At $95 you scored big time! :)

Okay,
I found 2 more indexers like the one above, but 60:1 and come with a 90vdc motor. Almost new condition. They are not nearly as cheap, and in better condition than mine. The cost is 500 dollars at the machinery depot I frequent.

If interested, I put them on 3 day hold and would be glad to buy them and ship for 2 lucky folks.

PM me if interested.

Sean

Update on the indexer.
Live end and dead end of indexing bed complete.
Attachment 3505

Attachment 3506

That's a rotisserie! :)

I presume that the MM blue is your original table? Your foam statues/figures have a pipe armature?

Cooking full chickens on the mechmate? Who knew the machine was so versatile!

Brian,

I think it is big enough for a large pig!

Chickens? Those tiny things are for girls. Sean's rotisserie is more for this size of meat. (note motor and gearboxes). Nothing smaller than a whole sheep (50 guests) - going up to a whole ox (400 guests).

Never been to an OX roast! :) Does the MM actually do the carving? :eek:

Sean is building for the Amish.

En toe word ek honger! ( I JUST GOT HUNGRY )!:D

Funny you mention that Gerald. My family is actually Dutch/German and originally from Punxatawny, PA. That's how we still cook the pig!

...getting back to reality. The pipe is the live end the slides back and forth to accommodate the tailstock/live center that holds the foam blocks. I CNC'd the face plate to the same diameter as the pipe to check setup and centerline/parallelism to the mechmate above.

Sean,
Maybe you could up a pic or two of the indexer stuff you are machining? :) I am sure there is a lot of interest in seeing some MM indexer work.

I have visited the Amish in PA when I was younger, very interesting people. It is fairly common to have a pig roast in my area for a large party, not common for Geralds ox or cow roast though.

Sean,

First, let me say what a great job you have done and how much I have learned from reading the little of your thread I have been able to read.

I've only just started to do the serious homework and research needed to build my own machine but I was hoping I might be able to convince you to let me see your machine in person and pick your brain at some point. I'm down in Ft. Lauderdale...about 2.5 hours away the way I drive :D

I'd be happy to bribe you for your time (beer, dinner, sacrifice a goat in your name...whatever you require) :)

If this is at all possible let me know.

Thanks,
Rick

Rick
If you want to see better machine than mine, or both, you can visit Nils or me in Orlando.
I am super busy, but Nils is readily available since he lives where his machine is set up. Easier commute to the machine = many sleepless nights:D

Come on up....
Send me and Nils a PM and we will set it up. Greg was in town last week and visited us too! Discussed MM fun over Taco's.

Gerald.
Does this mean now Nils and I are the showroom? We have had 5 visitors in a year!

PM sent. Thanks.

Gerald,

I think we are the local convention site. We have two MM and Sea World, Universal, Disney, large convention facility close to all, the beach and normally warm weather.

Rick,

It is most likely easier to see my machine because Sean works too many hours. We try to coordinate times. I would be happy to show you my machinie and talk with you.

You guys should start selling tickets there - I'll send some biltong for snacks.

Gerald,

Is the biltong of your own making or will this be store bought?

Bartered or bought from someone that handcrafts it. Air dried - no machinery involved.

Nils: I sent you a PM, thanks.

Hey ya'll (that's a southern term - doug f. and JR would understand)
I am at it again. I will be starting machine #3 soon.
This time - a nice spindle will be in order.
Look for updates in the coming month!

Sean

Are you saying that ya'll ain't used in other parts of the world ..... how do they communicate? Congrats on starting #3

Jawellnofine (that's a S.African term - Kobus, Hennie & Lex will understand)
Still waiting for pics of that huge indexer!

Gerald
:D