MadModder

Home Base => Introductions => Topic started by: twangman on August 21, 2009, 10:15:40 AM

Title: How's she cuttin lads
Post by: twangman on August 21, 2009, 10:15:40 AM

Hi All,
I followed a link from HMEM some time ago and have been looking in now and again – this is a great site and I see some familiar names -  everybody here seems to be quite civilised (most of the time) so I thought I might as well jump in – don’t have a lot to contribute at the moment cos I’m still learning, (Trying to hit the numbers on my X3 and C4 ( no DROs just using the dials – sometimes it works out just right, but then again, there are times to walk away)). I find the advice, writeups and helpful attitudes from all involved in this hobby to be a major encouragement. I doubt if I could have achieved any headway without these contributions. big thanks to all.

I am based in Dublin, Ireland, and have successfully managed to make (and run) a small Elmers standby engine (snaffled by my 24 year old son when he seen it running – “ I want to show it to me mates”). When it ran first time, I thought the smirk was going to be a permanent fixture on my face.

Hope to get some more involved, and yeah, I know, PICs / PICs s / PICs - later, when I get something worth showing.

Anyway I better get back to paying work - shouldn't be on the internet in the office.

Best Regards

John C.

Title: Re: How's she cuttin lads
Post by: Brass_Machine on August 21, 2009, 11:26:40 AM

Welcome to the collective #400  :borg:

Feel free to jump and ask for help. When can help you hit those numbers.

Watcha into?

Eric

Title: Re: How's she cuttin lads
Post by: CrewCab on August 21, 2009, 11:46:47 AM

Welcome board John, nice to have you with us  :beer:

CC

Title: Re: How's she cuttin lads
Post by: spuddevans on August 21, 2009, 11:54:58 AM

Hi John  :wave: great to have another drone member  :lol:


Pull up a chair and a camera cos  :worthless:


Tim

Title: Re: How's she cuttin lads
Post by: Stilldrillin on August 21, 2009, 12:07:50 PM

Hi John.  :wave:

Welcome to the collective.  :thumbup:

I know that smirk, exactly.......  :D

I`ve just machined my first ever flywheel spokes, and made NO mistakes........  :ddb: :ddb: :ddb:

I would not have attempted it, without the great info available on here.  :bow:

Enjoy!

David D

Title: Re: How's she cuttin lads
Post by: sbwhart on August 21, 2009, 01:32:18 PM

Welcome aboard the cube John  :borg:

Sounds like you've got a nice set of machines there, I think your a prime candidate for  :proj:

Have fun

Stew 

Title: Re: How's she cuttin lads
Post by: Bernd on August 23, 2009, 06:32:08 PM

We're getting to many John's in hear.  :lol:

Welcome to the collective  :borg: and what everybody else said.  :thumbup:

Bernd

Title: Re: How's she cuttin lads
Post by: twangman on August 24, 2009, 08:34:38 PM

Hi all.

Thanks all for the welcomes – no machining this weekend (banjaxed with the flu) so decided to lie low and just be miserable.
Over the last couple of weeks I have managed to motorise the x axis of the mill – used a small stepper motor and a packaged stepper controller which I rigged to a small hand held control unit – well, the bits were lying around in work and were begging to be ----Erm– liberated.
Works great, cuts out all that wheel turning, especially when face milling.
I usually start by manual machining just to get a feel for the speeds and feeds before going over to the motor drive. The little stepper doesn’t impose much of a resistance to manual operation.



Too many Johns huh ? – no problem – I can just switch to my alternate gaelic name (Sean).

Never tried posting pics before –Now lets see if this works.



(http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae303/johndcoffey/Image028.jpg)


(http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae303/johndcoffey/Image030.jpg)




Best regards

Sean C.

Title: Re: How's she cuttin lads
Post by: sbwhart on August 25, 2009, 01:39:16 AM

Picture posting worked great Sean  :thumbup: that looks a neat power drive, it a job I've got to do on my mill.


Have fun

Stew

Title: Re: How's she cuttin lads
Post by: Yorkshireman on August 25, 2009, 02:05:15 AM

Hallo Sean
Is there any way you could show or explain the entrails of the electronics box of you stepper please?
Thanks
Johannes

Title: Re: How's she cuttin lads
Post by: Gerhard Olivier on August 25, 2009, 03:01:58 AM

GREAT MOD
 
Would love to peek in the brain of that one - keep pics coming.

Welcome

Gerhard

Title: Re: How's she cuttin lads
Post by: twangman on August 25, 2009, 07:38:34 AM

Thanks Guys.
Johannes / Gerhard
The electronic controller is a commercially available unit for the control of the stepper motor - It's a "Parker Digiplan PK2" - effectively a complete controller for a single stepper. Mains input 230VAC - switch for direction - Potentiometer for speed (can use 2 speed pots if needed) and a pushbutton to make it go. I found a PDF on the web for the connections and configuration.

I didnt install limit switches as I need to keep the pushbutton depressed in order for the motor to drive (sort of like a dead mans switch).

A bit off a lash-up made during a weekend, I will tidy it up when I get a chance (Yeah - Right!)

Regards

Sean C.

Title: Re: How's she cuttin lads
Post by: Darren on August 25, 2009, 08:12:16 AM

That looks really tidy......I'm off to look up the driver.... :thumbup:

Title: Re: How's she cuttin lads
Post by: Divided he ad on September 08, 2009, 12:37:04 PM

Hi Sean  :wave:



Sorry for the late and short hello.... I'm playing catchup still!


I like the neat mod on your mill (same model as Stews I think?)  I'm sure he will have a go at that eventually?



Right, 8 more to go!!




See you around the forum  :thumbup:











Ralph.