. .
Page 3 of 36 FirstFirst 1234513 ... LastLast
  1. #21
    Tiny bit of progress. X axis motor mount / belt tensioner plate finished.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_3857.jpg 
Views:	507 
Size:	239.6 KB 
ID:	17523

    Here is a trial fit of an M8 bolt head in the slot (final part will use an M8 nut):
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_3859.jpg 
Views:	540 
Size:	191.3 KB 
ID:	17524

    Also started making one of the bits on the gantry. I snapped a cutter on final the 20mm pass ! Always the worst bit right at the bottom of a deep slot when the chips can't get out. It welded up and I didn't stop it in time.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_3877.jpg 
Views:	517 
Size:	163.2 KB 
ID:	17525

    Luckily I had a spare so finished the cut. Setting up for the holes in the edges.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_3880.jpg 
Views:	560 
Size:	169.1 KB 
ID:	17526
    Building a CNC machine to make a better one since 2010 . . .
    MK1 (1st photo), MK2, MK3, MK4

  2. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to routercnc For This Useful Post:


  3. #22
    Clive S's Avatar
    Lives in Marple Stockport, United Kingdom. Last Activity: 20 Hours Ago Forum Superstar, has done so much to help others, they deserve a medal. Has been a member for 9-10 years. Has a total post count of 3,333. Received thanks 618 times, giving thanks to others 78 times. Made a monetary donation to the upkeep of the community. Is a beta tester for Machinists Network features.
    Coming along nicely where did you get that vise?
    ..Clive
    The more you know, The better you know, How little you know

  4. #23
    Hi Clive
    Thanks for the encouragement! If I multiplied time taken per piece by number of pieces to make I might get disheartened. So I'm trying not to think about it.
    Vice was from Arceuro. It was about £35 and is surprisingly accurate (a DTI along the fixed jaw barely moves) and the base is fairly parallel to the jaw runner surface (therefore workpiece is fairly parallel to bed)
    But after first use the thread got swarf on it which went into the nut and it is very hard to turn. I can't get it apart to clean it out so if you get one put a cover on the thread first. It's actually a drill press vice but is working ok for my gentle machining
    To be honest I am going to replace it with a precision vice as one of the future jobs needs to be more accurate than this and I'm fed up trying to tighten the screw. Arceuro make some nice ones with ground surfaces all over and antilift jaws. They are also quite low in height which is good. if I buy one and like it I may get another as a pair of vices can be really useful
    Building a CNC machine to make a better one since 2010 . . .
    MK1 (1st photo), MK2, MK3, MK4

  5. #24
    It's been a while since I last posted and I'll explain why in a moment. I've made a matching pair to the last part, with a bit of finishing off to do:

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_3938.jpg 
Views:	450 
Size:	299.1 KB 
ID:	17915

    Reason for the delay is that I've noticed for some time now that even mild cuts are often generating lots of chatter. I think it has been getting slowly worse, and feeling the Z axis around the rails and bearings there is some relative vibration between rail and bearing, especially at the top left bearing, when the chatter occurs.

    Problem is that the chatter can quickly lead to welding, and with so many parts to make for the new machine it was time to check things out. For info I have been running these 15mm linear profile rails (classed as 15mm minature) for about 5 years on 3 successive machines, and that they were bought as used from 'fa-systems'.

    I stripped the Z axis down and found significant fretting on the rail, especially around the top left bearing:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_3948.jpg 
Views:	515 
Size:	203.1 KB 
ID:	17916

    Luckily I had a second set of 15mm rails (new) that I'd ordered for the Z axis on the new mk4 machine. However, the hole spacing was 5mm further apart on the bearing carriages. I ended up drilling another set of 4 holes rather than 2 extra holes because the holes would have been too close to the existing ones:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_3965.jpg 
Views:	478 
Size:	267.1 KB 
ID:	17917

    I took the opportunity to drill some access holes in the outer plate so I could assemble the Z axis as a unit, and then bolt it on to the Y axis. It's easier to get everything lined up off the machine rather than trying to assemble it bit by bit on the machine:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_3968.jpg 
Views:	481 
Size:	140.4 KB 
ID:	17918

    I then set the first rail off a side datum, and then clocked in the other rail:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_3977.jpg 
Views:	542 
Size:	222.6 KB 
ID:	17919Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_3978.jpg 
Views:	508 
Size:	233.9 KB 
ID:	17920Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_3979.jpg 
Views:	509 
Size:	258.2 KB 
ID:	17921Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_3980.jpg 
Views:	523 
Size:	257.2 KB 
ID:	17922

    Then assembled the Z axis onto the machine:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_3985.jpg 
Views:	531 
Size:	129.7 KB 
ID:	17923

    I trial cut revealed a much improved machine. A 1mm DOC at 900mm/min 12,000rpm 6mm 2f carbide was fine with no chatter.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_3986.jpg 
Views:	549 
Size:	169.7 KB 
ID:	17924

    So is there a moral to this story? Well my rails were used when I bought them so it's had to be sure but for the occasional poster on here who asks about rail size then I will always recommend 20mm over 15mm.

    Back to the new machine. As originally drawn it had 4off 15mm rails around a box Z. Although these are used as 2 pairs loaded against each other I did not feel confident in continuing with 15mm rails all round. Luckily I had left space in the Y axis to upgrade rails or spindle size. So it was a simple matter to add pockets and fit in 20mm rails. I've ordered 20mm rails from Fred, and will use the new 15mm rails just as auxiliaries away from the spindle where the loads are lower.
    Building a CNC machine to make a better one since 2010 . . .
    MK1 (1st photo), MK2, MK3, MK4

  6. #25
    Whilst cutting another new part I used 'feedhold' to stop the machine just to check something was not going to collide. Then I hit 'start' but instead of continuing on a +X direction to the end of the cut the machine moved in +Y. It was about 8mm into a profile cut so snapped the cutter.

    Luckily this was in the scrap part of the material so no harm done. I changed the bit, homed, ran it all again. Later on in the same profile cut (in the -X direction this time) it was almost to the bottom when I pressed 'feedhold' again to check one of the clamps was not going to get machined through. When I hit 'start' is again went in the +Y direction. Luckily I had my hand over the e-stop but it still took a chunk out of the part!

    I've never had this happen before and haven't changed anything in software, just the Z axis bearing change. Any ideas?
    Building a CNC machine to make a better one since 2010 . . .
    MK1 (1st photo), MK2, MK3, MK4

  7. #26
    Clive S's Avatar
    Lives in Marple Stockport, United Kingdom. Last Activity: 20 Hours Ago Forum Superstar, has done so much to help others, they deserve a medal. Has been a member for 9-10 years. Has a total post count of 3,333. Received thanks 618 times, giving thanks to others 78 times. Made a monetary donation to the upkeep of the community. Is a beta tester for Machinists Network features.
    Did you by any chance stop it in a canned cycle I have a feeling that it happened to me once.
    ..Clive
    The more you know, The better you know, How little you know

  8. #27
    Quote Originally Posted by Clive S View Post
    Did you by any chance stop it in a canned cycle I have a feeling that it happened to me once.
    I don't think so - I'll check the g-code when I get home as I wrote down the line number I stopped it on. I seem to remember lots of X and Y positional commands so probably not in canned cycle? It was cutting out the outline profile to a part which was almost a rectangle.

    The last feedhold problem was done on a pass which had tabs on it, but it was about 50mm away from having gone up, across, and down to create the tab and was going in a straight line to the corner. I was about 20mm from the corner going X- when I pressed feedhold. Upon starting it went Y+ as if it thought it had reached the corner.

    Next time I'm in the workshop I'll do some air cuts on the same file to see if I pressed the feedhold twice or something . . .
    Building a CNC machine to make a better one since 2010 . . .
    MK1 (1st photo), MK2, MK3, MK4

  9. #28
    OK, looking at the gcode where I had the 2 crashes (when 'starting' after a 'feedhold') and I can see there are several straight line moves (must be geometry nodes all along in a straight line from when I was creating and changing the CAD), followed by a G2 radius arc in both cases.

    #1
    I've read about problems with feedhold in arcs so always feedhold on a straight edge. But I was definitely on the straight bit about half way along the top edge when I pressed feedhold. About line 930. It was some way off getting to the G2 ARC at the corner. When I hit start the machine went up in +Y and snapped the tool clean off.

    I've loaded the file onto my house PC (hence the DROs are all zero!) Here is the first one:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	crash1.jpg 
Views:	369 
Size:	128.6 KB 
ID:	17956

    #2
    This time, on the same part, I was cutting along a straight edge at the bottom, -X direction, when I hit feedhold. It had just done line 1060. This time cycle start moved the machine in +Y. I hit e-stop straight away this time and recovered it. However, there was a gouge in the work piece (!). It's cosmetic but annoying none-the-less.

    Looking at the gcode shows another set of linear moves, followed by a G2 arc radius at the corner:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	crash2.jpg 
Views:	383 
Size:	120.4 KB 
ID:	17957

    I'll go back to the CAD and see if there are repeat nodes in the geometry as a start, but I'm confused by this as I've used feedhold for years and not had this problem. Now twice on the same part!

    I went to Mach3 website in case there was a later version - but it's still R3.0.43.066 I which is what I am running now.


    EDIT:
    OK, the reason for the repeat straight moves is that there are tabs on those sides. Vectric obviously adds those moves in on every pass, but only adds the Z up and over move when the required depth is met. However, I was nowhere near the depth to create the tabs (they are only 2mm high) so that might be a coincidence. So, still confused about what is going on . . .
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	CAM_cut2D.jpg 
Views:	387 
Size:	46.7 KB 
ID:	17958


    EDIT2 / side note:
    I've had to do a few 'run from here' operations after hitting the e-stop recently. It is probably out of position as it could be mid-step so I've found you need to:
    1. Raise the tool right out of the workpiece
    2. Re-home the machine
    3. Press 'run from here' on the line you e-stopped on
    4. It will show you the required resume coordinates in a window. Before accepting these you should jog or MDI to the X and Y positions it shows. If you do not it will try to move straight to that location which could be through a clamp or the workpiece etc. if you are low. This has caught me out a couple of times!
    5. Press OK and it will rapid down in Z to the position it got to when the e-stop was pressed
    6. Start the spindle (or there is a check box if you use spindle control from Mach)
    7. Hit cycle start
    Last edited by routercnc; 16-03-2016 at 10:29 PM. Reason: more info
    Building a CNC machine to make a better one since 2010 . . .
    MK1 (1st photo), MK2, MK3, MK4

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to routercnc For This Useful Post:


  11. #29
    Some pictures of the matching 2nd upper end part - cleaned, drilled tapped and finished:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_4082.jpg 
Views:	425 
Size:	193.6 KB 
ID:	18038

    Then onto the next set of parts. Bed cleaned down and a new 10mm plate ready to cut out 4off bracket plates:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_4035.jpg 
Views:	446 
Size:	227.4 KB 
ID:	18039

    Small pockets cut and holes spotted in all 4 parts:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_4039.jpg 
Views:	443 
Size:	134.7 KB 
ID:	18040

    First one cut out:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_4046.jpg 
Views:	436 
Size:	239.4 KB 
ID:	18041

    Last one cut out:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_4090.jpg 
Views:	432 
Size:	280.7 KB 
ID:	18042

    Opening up the light cnc spots with the same 6mm spot drill:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_4047.jpg 
Views:	444 
Size:	238.8 KB 
ID:	18045

    First pair of them cleaned up, drilled out, counterbored:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_4081.jpg 
Views:	443 
Size:	189.1 KB 
ID:	18043
    The counterbore in each part was a bit nerve racking as it is to take an M8 cap head slightly under flush. This means a depth of 8.1mm in a 10mm part, which leaves just 1.9mm left. Although I had my DRO set on the drill press you still drill them blind and need to trust in the gauge not to go all the way through! I guess I could have used the depth stop nuts as a backup.

    Second pair straight off the machine ready for drilling:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_4092.jpg 
Views:	451 
Size:	204.3 KB 
ID:	18044
    Building a CNC machine to make a better one since 2010 . . .
    MK1 (1st photo), MK2, MK3, MK4

  12. #30
    Finished the 2nd pair off, cleaned up, holes drilled etc.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_4191.jpg 
Views:	408 
Size:	250.8 KB 
ID:	18090

    These are the corner pieces on the gantry-
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	ren4_gantry.jpg 
Views:	781 
Size:	180.1 KB 
ID:	18097

    Not that exciting so I thought I'd also post another way I just tried out of tapping the threads in those parts (well starting them at least) which is much quicker. I started with one of these tapping chucks from RDG tools - designed to either replace the drill press chuck or for use in the tailstock of a lathe. It has a tommy bar and the chuck is free to rotate and slide inside the morse taper housing:

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_4188.jpg 
Views:	424 
Size:	313.4 KB 
ID:	18091
    Link below (they are also on e-bay)
    http://www.rdgtools.co.uk/acatalog/2...ent-88025.html

    Although you are supposed to tap out the existing chuck and replace it with this one I didn't want to keep swapping them over. I'd looked these over at a show so knew that the MT3 taper comes off the chuck leaving a 12mm straight rod - perfect :
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_4189.jpg 
Views:	400 
Size:	362.3 KB 
ID:	18092

    Because the 12mm rod was greased I put it inside a plastic bag (to stop the grease going onto the chuck jaws) and then put in lightly in the chuck - just enough to hold it but still allow it to rotate and slide up and down:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_4184.jpg 
Views:	426 
Size:	156.2 KB 
ID:	18093

    Here it is well into tapping the M5 thread:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_4186.jpg 
Views:	406 
Size:	137.1 KB 
ID:	18096
    This takes seconds to do and you can feel the bite / back off and reduce the risk of breaking the tap.

    Note that the drill press is NOT powered - I'm using the tommy bar to rotate it manually.

    This worked really well, was very quick, and created threads which were perpendicular to the face. I finished them off by putting the parts in a vice and using a cordless drill.

    I think the plastic will not last long, it started has started to tear already, so one option is to make a metal adapter tube which is clamped in the drill press chuck at the top, and contains a long bored out 12.05mm dia or so hole in the bottom to hold the greased rod on the end of the tapping chuck. If the bore is a good fit and there is grease in there it should stop the chuck falling out when you raise the drill press.

    To have something set up permanently I might even modify a cheap drill press/stand (the ones where you put a mains drill in) to house a long rod attached to the drill chuck - a bit like the Arc Euro ones but their's only goes to about 6mm or so tap size whereas this goes to 13mm.
    Building a CNC machine to make a better one since 2010 . . .
    MK1 (1st photo), MK2, MK3, MK4

  13. The Following User Says Thank You to routercnc For This Useful Post:


Page 3 of 36 FirstFirst 1234513 ... LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •