Inspiring this lithophan.
Another trick thing I’ll want to make when I’m up & moviing axis :D
Web site look good, keep on tweaking it, nice marketing tool !
Good luck. Amicalement, Robert ;)

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all the kind comments and feedback on the webpage.

Wayne, when you use your indexer, is the X-axis stationary? Once in position in the centre of the workpiece, does it ever have to move?... Just thinking for the time I do indexing I can make use of one of the X-axis Gecko's...will be some plug and play system.

Kobus,

Yes, once the X is in position, it does not move until all the A-axis work is complete. See no reason why the plug-n-play method won't work.

Be careful when you hot switch your motors, not sure how well the Gecko's tolerate this.

Don't know how tough Gecko are but switching in inductive load like that is BAD for the driver (though motor is stationary, the chopping/switching current is flowing through coils)

Wayne, the site looks very good on Firefox, not problems noted. Your product is also very impressive. Can I send you a photo for carving?
Joe

Thanks Wayne I thought that would be the case. Therefore my thought is to bring my X-axis in position while power is off. Lock the gantry in place. Undo the one X-Axis Stepper, connect it to the indexer...configure Mach-3 and do my indexing work. I know it sounds like extra work, but if I can save on another Stepper and Gecko to try indexing so be it. If I find it works for me, I might consider another stepper and driver at a later stage

Kobus,

You may want to shop EBay for another step driver. I have purchased\used the Centent brand on my other mills with good success. I believe Centent's were designed by Marius (Gecko creator) in a previous life.

Look for a CN0142 or CN0162 unit. The primary difference is the max voltage. see www.centent.com for details.

I have never paid more than $50 USD for a controller. Not sure about shipping....it may not be practical for you.

Wayne

Wayne,
I believe Centent is now designed / operated by Mariss' brother. I remember Mariss speaking of Centent on some of his old posts.

Charging power supply boxes
 

I designed these boxes around some surplus power supplies that I found. These are industrial switching supplies that will work perfect for charging the Li-Po batteries we use in our RC airplanes. I decided to built boxes for all (5) of the powersupplies....thinking my RC buddies will want one of their own;)

The tab and slot design makes the boxes self-aligning....and really easy to assembly:D The first two boxes were cut one at a time to test the G-code, the parts of the last three boxes were nested, so they could be cut in one operation.

Very nice, I like the fan cover I might steal it for some of
my future projects!

Awesome! No nails! love the fan cover too!

Nicely done Wayne.

Ken, I really like designing with tabs. They allow you to assemble the whole project, make sure it is square, then hit each joint with CA glue (or other) to make it permanent. No nails:)

Glad you like the fan cover. Although it looks cool, it isn't very strong, so I changed the design on the remaining boxes so I could use a traditional wire fan cover.

Great boxes, I like the tab design. I'm working on wine boxes with those tabs...

Wow, those will be some classy wine boxes. My wife likes wine in a box.....but the box is usually cardboard.:D

My latest project. It's a foldable flightstand or table to be used at the RC flying field. Saves you from working on your knees.

The design is based on a picture I found on the internet. The entire project was designed in 2D, then modeled in 3D so I could determine how the assembly would foldup and check for proper clearances, before cutting any material. I find this technic not only saves time, but it saves a lot money because I do not need to makes parts over because of design mistakes :)

The material is baltic birch plywood. This is a high quality plywood, often used to build cabinets or furniture.

This project was cut in two operations. The first op used a 1/8" endmill to cut the pockets, grooves and holes...the second op used a 1/4' to cut out all the parts.

Awesome! Having a few of these in the workshop would really come in handy too...

What are you drawing these plans in?

Wayne, that looks awesome!

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!