I wanted to ask the same thing. What program are you using to do the tabs/slot, and nesting in?

Travis

I primarily use MasterCam for the flat work.

I have tried the auto nesting function, but still prefer to manual place parts on the panel.....you have better control of the machining operations.

Nice little table Wayne, surly the envy of other RC fellows !
I Like.... ;)

Cool tables Wayne, I might need to steal your dxfs, I posted some new pics of mine tonight, check it out. Still on for March 6th for the tuning and first cutting session!

Get in touch
 

Hi Wayne,

You have build a great machine.
I have no experience with CNC machine but I would like to build one. I 'm in Minnesota(Saint Paul) and would like to visit you and have a discussion if that's ok.

Sure, I would be happy to talk with you, perhaps we can grab some lunch.

Are you just visiting Minnesota? If so, what are your travel dates?

Call me: Gaston

I'm not visiting. I leave here with my family. Having lunch will be a great idea. I'll give you a call(I got your number from your website).

Latest Mechmate project.
 

Been busy with my MechMate, thought I would post my latest project.

This is an autogyro I am building from plans. The first thing I did was to translate the paper plan into CAD....is was a very manual process that requires all lot of measuring and guessing:) The tabs were added to the original design to make it easier to assemble.

The blades were also cut on the MM, took awhile to figure out exactly how to develop a cut file...it worked in the end.

enjoy,
Wayne

Finished Autogyro
 

Here's a picture of the finished model.

Very cool!:cool: It's great when you can combine two interests.

Thanks for sharing your work...keep it coming!

Wayne

That is one weired looking machine. Did you add the lower motor or is it designed that way?

That is so cool Wayne, awesome job! Can I fly it and do a loop? lol

Nils - It's designed that way, autogyro's have been around a longtime - remember the MadMax movie:)

Dave - You can only fly it.....if you do a loop ;)

Wow nice job Wayne!
So how is your website doing for you?

I like it!! :D
Nice job.

Cheers
Tony

Cool machine !!!! I'd like to see th MM working on a rotor like that !!!!

Nice work! How balanced are the rotors?

Thanks Mike, Thanks Tony....the MM is perfect for building models like this.

Steve, 2 of the blades were identical in wieght, the 3rd was only 2grams heavier. Each blade was cut from the same piece of stock (Basswood and balsa), that really helps with material differences.

Just a side note: I put the gyro back into kit form this afternoon:o It's off to the hobbystore to get more wood.

Been there, done that, got the T-Shirt :( So sorry...

Some guys might not know that means Crash. Sorry to hear that Wayne. At least we got to see it in all its glory here first. :)

We used to have a black garbage bag with us in the truck in case we put the plane back into KIT form..:D
Those were the day's

Continuing to play with the 4th axis
 

This is one of my latest MechMate projects; it's part of an animal call my brother ask me to help make. I used this project to push myself to learn and better understand the 4th axis operation.

I have been keeping the MM busy, quite a few projects have been on the machine since my last post...in the future I will try to do a better job posting photo's and such.

Wayne

Heres a link to a YouTube video showing the 4th axis in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E2ekUN-w_k

Nice, have not watched the video,....does not allow me at work..... but does your head swivel ? In the 2nd photo it looks like it is at an angle ?

Nice work Wayne. Could you do that piece in lathe mode vs indexer mode? Just wondering if you had done it that way for a particular reason.

Hi Kobus,

The cutting head does not swivel, it is mounted vertical.

Wayne

Liked the video Wayne. Do you have a normal motor on there also to spin and polish up the cutting marks left by the indexer ?

How did you draw that piece and in which cam program.

Heath-
Not sure about lathe mode, I am unaware of this feature. To date all of my rotary axis experience has been with indexing.

Kobus -
I really can not add a highspeed motor to my indexer....it's a converted Sureline rotary table with a 72:1 ratio. That really isn't a problem though, because the resolution is so fine, that I can almost eliminate the mill marks if a small step over is used. Anything left can easily be removed with a light sanding:)

For example, I cut my lithophanes using a .006" step over. This leaves them ready for sale, right from the A-axis...no additional sanding or work is required.

Wayne
How did you cut the gyro blades? Any hints on what you learnt? Have you tried a blade that is not flat on the bottom?
cheers
David

New control pendant.
 

Wow, just noticed the date....been awhile since my last post:eek:

Here's a picture of my newly, redesigned pendant. The original has been in service for over a year. I thought I would add a few features and the next thing you know....I have a whole new pendant:D

This is controlled by the Pokey55 device. You can find lots of user discussion over on the Mach3 site.

The software took the longest.....worked a bunch of hours to get it to function correctly.

Wayne

Here is a couple of pictures of my latest project. These are baords for the "Bean Bag Game". We made 9 sets a couple weeks back....great Xmas gifts.

Wayne

Pendant looks great Wayne.

...hey Wayne, is that a 4th axis already set up laying under the table?

Good eyes Sean!

Yep, that's where I store it when not in use. Since it is primarly used for making round litho's, I only install it when I get orders.

"Bean Bag Game" I think the proper name is Corn Hole ;)

There are a lot of bars down in Florida that have them along with tournaments. Another popular game is Drunken Jenga or Super Jenga.

Now put in a team logo and go tailgating and sell it for a few hundred dollars. I know the sets down here go for good money and there is nothing to them.


By the way nice looking pendant.

Yeah, I have heard various names for this game...."corn hole" just seems wrong:o

I currently sell assembled, unfinished boards, for $80/set. For that price I also engrave their name into cross member between the legs. People like it....adds a nice personal touch.

My design allows the use of 1/2" plywood and still have the proper stiffness. The is nice for two reasons; (1) the boards wiegh less, (2) the plywood is cheaper than 3/4" material.

Official Rules
 

Being somewhat unfamiliar with the game, I searched for the rules. I was surprised to find an "official" game organization along with specific rules, construction requirements and competition requirements.

http://www.playcornhole.org/rules.shtml

Something I will look to build with my mechmate (in the spring of 2011 - I hope).

This forum is certainly a wealth of information!

Clayton

Yep, I have seen this site before. Infact these boards were designed to conform to the official specifications:D

Inlay - a brief introduction
 

These picture where taken as I was making a cribbage board for a Christmas gift.

People have ask how these inlays are done, so I thought I would take a few pictures and document the process for those that are interested. Although I am sure there are other methods....this seems to work for me.

The basic inlay process starts by creating a pocket file and a contour file of your inlay shape. (ex. cut a 1" square pocket that is .1" deep, than cut a 1" square shape the is .15" thick) It is important that the pocket and shape are exact same size so the shape can be pressed into the pocket.

Photo1 you see the first inlays are already placed and sanded.
Photo2 cutting the pocket
Photo3 the pocket is cut, the shape is ready to be pressed in
Photo4 press shape into pocket
Photo5 ready for sanding.

to be continued....

inlays continued.

Once the shape is pressed into the pocket, I use CA glue (aka crazy glue) to glue the shapes into place.

Once complete, I sand down the excess shape material with a belt sander (it sands really quick)

Photo1 - you see the shape is sanded and has a perfect fit.
Photo2 - the cribbage board is finish sanded and then completed with a little coat of finishing oil.


If this process is not clear, please ask questions, I will do my best to provide answers.

enjoy,
Wayne