Torch Pantograph / cnc

[Dawai]

Tim,

Can I mail you half a dozen 16 pin chips to solder onto the radio shack universal boards? I can't see well enough right now. I got data on them. It is the basis of any cnc project being able to (1) invert the parallel port, and (2) clip the noise out.. they have 5volt clean outputs.. No other parts needed to make a 5volt interface with a parallel port. I have started the plc program for the parallel port once again.. It will work for lots of shop jobs.. Makes a old computer a controller. I can send you the last parallel cable I have identified the colors on, you keep one for your controller, experimentation..

The plc program, will program in regular ladder logic, open and closed contacts, relay coils on screen. I am still working out the program flow and variable list.

Note: I added in a sketch photo on the first post of this topic: Large, beware..

[tdoty]

David,

Oh yeah, I can solder :smile: . Send 'em on up! Might even be able to get our other deals done sometime soon, but the soldering thing is not a problem!

Wouldn't you know, I have a bunch of 3/8id 7/8od bearings..........but my flanged bearings are 5/16id! I'll just have to figure something out :mrgreen:

Thanks for all the info!

Tim D.

[Dawai]

Not sure the bore matters, just change the size of your bracket holes..

If ya need the tube bored, lemme know.. I got ac on that side of my shop.. Where my lathe is that is..

Yeah, there may be mice living in the singer.. HA.. Need to cut my grass or there will be some in the house, jungle out there. I put $10 in the lawnmower gas can, don't that suck?

I'll gather up a cnc-package for you to solder up.. It is basically a hex inverter chip with scotchy (spelling)? 5volt clean output.. I noticed a few of them boards and chips in the sweepings of the shop.. I had about a hundred at one time.. No reason to spend $100 on a breakout board when a single chip will do it too.
Can ya etch? if so.. I got such a deal for you..

[tdoty]

Schottky?


Umm, well, I used to be able to etch http://modeltech.tripod.com/etchingentry.htm

The article isn't about circuit boards, but it's all the same. No way to drill the boards though - ceptin' by hand! Ugh!

I can get more bearings, or bore the tubing myself, but thanks for the offer. Time is always the enemy though! Then again, I'm not going to be close to needing any of this until I get off my butt and get some tanks for the torch rig, huh?

Thanks again! A digital copy of what you need etched would help tons too!

Tim D.

[Bambi]

I have had several pantograph cutters and have used many more, they all work on the bifold door principle. Actually a cheapo cutter probably could be made from an old bifold door.
All the electric eye and cnc cutters use the gantry system using an xy axis, sometimes z, though not necessary. There is a lot of misinformation out there especially when it comes to plazma. Just went thru a bit with the Hypertherm people who set the reccord strait on a few issues concerning torch height control. Some folks think you have to have it with cnc. Well we never had it in the past, machines cut just fine. New machines have the drag tips made for easy use. They still sell the old style tips where ya don't want to drag them, those work perfectly with pantographs and cnc. Set an 1/8", set it and forget it.
As long as you maintain a gap of between 1/8" and 1" your golden, the plazma with take care of it. Oxy Acetylene works great for most stuff and is cheaper to run then the plazma.
Anywho, please explain to me how your gonna hook up this cnc unit to pantograph. Pictures are worth a thousand words. I am drawing a blank.
Also what about controller boards and all the electronic stuff, plus software.
Thank You very much.
Too much time in the Forrest.
Bambi

[Dawai]

Bambi...

Since the load is bearing'ed and a light relative load, you can move it with tiny motors.. I got some steppers laying out on a temp test platform.. Using opto-coupled transistor modules to energize each phase of the steppers.. each time you pulse a coil, it moves forward.. reverse the wave pattern and it goes the other way.. TURBOCNC, www.dakeng.com explains it all in detail.. Simply.. it works.. Now limiting the current is done with ceramic power resistors.. Otherwise they get hot fast.. The current motors are 12volt and impedance protected.. the 250oz motors are not..

All it takes is to remove the top bolts where the pattern goes and insert a XY slider.. tiny lil $5 motors from a old pen plotter or printer are enough.. I can't figure out why Lowbucks went to a gantry type system when they were selling the old pantograph.... Still.... Still selling plans for the pantograph.. why didn't they adapt the ole one.. it is compact and really useful...

OF course, I have more plans, to install a vari-0.68rpm motor to rotate a variable circle... you affix the adjustable eccentric to the motor shaft and then the other end to the gantry arm.

everyone thinks a cnc is expensive.. it can be.. if you have to hire someone to build it or work on it.. Why companies trash ole cnc machines.. the techs bleed them dry..

I have not been in the shop in two days now.. My sugar hit 33.. I have felt like crap for two days now. I promise to do some pictures of the bi-fold arm and what I got so far..

Want to follow a line? we can do that too? go to www.robotstore.com or www.acroname.com

[Dawai]

Torchmate instead of lowbuck tools did the first one of these.

Perhaps if anyone knows thier email, or web address we can involve them in the cnc end.

I had a vertical torch w-adjustor gave to me. Going to get to the shop here after breakfast and mount that rascal and take a couple pictures. WHOO HOO.. Now, it don't have a oxygen handle,, it has three knobs.. any clues how that works before I start twiddlling? I am sure I wll have to cut a reamer or something for it.. Nothing free has ever been worth a crap.

WIll edit post here in a bit and add pictures.

[Boogiemanz1]

If you only have one oxygen hose connection, I would say one adjusts the preheat and the other adjusts the cutting pressure....just a guess..........john

[Dawai]

**** is it hot here. I walked from the garage side to the machine shop side into the air conditioner. Geeze, I went around and around and landed in the barber chair.. WHOO HOO... Now I am eating coa-coa puffs and ice water..

I got the torch mount made, made a pattern mount I am not happy with. The torch is so tall, THE motor axis must be directly over the torch axis.. so.. I am recalculating.. May have to be a bearing.. That will allow me to use the rig till I get a magnet-follower and motor.

SEE, how them plans would have paid off from torchmate? (the true builder of the first ones)

[rockflyer]

David , Tim mentioned one earlier in this thread as well. How does this work? what does it look like? I'm maybe the only one who as never seen one but I haven't . Sounds like the guide is magnetic , but I don't understand what moves that piece.I've used magnetic proximity switches... Sorry for the questions I want to stay clear on this mentally if that is possible.. Dick