Quote Originally Posted by harmo View Post
Hi Kit,

As always, thanks for the response. Like Andy, I was going to say that the link doesn't work for me (perhaps because it includes the management interface?) However, while I'm here....

Nice to see that you helping your wife in these crazy times. My better half is involved with making soaps, so I've been making easy-to-release moulds, soap cutters, and various 3D printed textures to "stamp" into the cakes of soap. However, with our backyard/front yard/available space orchard, and berries everywhere, I seem to build more shelving for preserved harvests than anything else.

Regarding the CamBam, as an IT tech support guy, I feel like I need to understand. Did you mean that the memory running out is the bit that has delayed you by interrupting the cut? I can't imagine that the upgrade itself would take you long. I'd be intrigued to see just how complex a tool path would have to be to overwhelm a 32 bit system.

If there's a log on CamBam, would it be feasible to find out where the machine got up to in the G-code, and perhaps?continue on with the remainder? ( I'm completely new to CNC, so if the machine simply stopped, that might be an option. However, I am assuming that a memory issue will simply stop the machine. Is this what happens? Worst case... I assume many hobbyists would just start again with a new work piece. If so, I hope it wasn't too painful for you.

With the gears for your clock, are they the standard 2d gears? (no tapered worm drives or anything like that) that would probably need a four (or more) axis machine. Do you use the trochoidal milling technique to get particularly large gear teeth (or grooves), or is there some sort of "feeds and speeds" benefit?

I'm terribly sorry to bombard you, but I've been focusing on building the machine rather than how it'll go once constructed. I guess I'll jump off that bridge when I come to it, but a little "heads up" might be helpful if you're willing. :~)

As always, take care and have fun!
Harmo.
Sorry about the link, try the one at the end.

CamBam does the CAD/CAM side of things, drawing and G-code calculation rather than machine control which is handled here using LinuxCNC. The memory problem arose while it was trying to calculate the tool paths for several gears at once. I think it also has graphics problems as well as redrawing after scrolling or zooming takes forever if the toolpaths are visible. I've taken to dissabling each MOP (machining operation) in the cutting list after setting it up so that CB doesn't try to draw the toolpaths all the time. I shan't describe trochoidal paths here, There's a link to the plug-in which expalins it below. This is much the same as Fusion360's 'adaptive clearing' which you may read about. The advantage is that the tool engagement can be kept low which allows deep cuts with small tools. 19mm deep in hardwoods with a 3mm diameter tool for example. For me this helps prevent chipping of the gear teeth which happens with shallow cutting.

http://www.atelier-des-fougeres.fr/C...choPocket.html

The gears are convention wheels and pinions, though the posh versions have some profiling for visual effect. I use a rather fiendish bit of software called Gearotic for designing those. It does have more advanced options if I ever make a router to cut them.

Funny you mention the preseving...Having just moved to a more fruit-producing location my wife is getting stuck in. Our only productive tree at the moment is a peach but we've already had peach jam, peach chutney, peach cake and peach cobbler, with custard! The kitchen is currently full of donated tomatoes and empty jars awaiting processing today.

On the welding front: You have all the skills and equipment needed for a steel build. A welded frame is never accurate enough without further work of some sort even if you are the best welder in the ACT.

Kit