Re: [collexion-cnc] It's alive!

[David Hempy]

On Fri, May 11, 2012 at 10:19 PM, James Lindsay <jamesl...@gmail.com> wrote:

Chris dropped off the computer as promised.  I had some free time tonight so I headed down to the space and guess what.......

ITS ALIVE!   bahhaaaaa....bahhhhh.....bahhhhh    ITS ALIVE

I got Mach3 successfully installed and the parallel port configured on the desktop.  The trouble earlier was those pesky laptop parallel ports.  I slaved the x and a aixs and got the direction correct for both.  I still need to adjust the scale (steps/in) in the motor settings but it moves under computer control.  The y axis is nice and smooth, the z axis as well.  The x axis, no so much, one side is binding up and stalling the motor, need to investigate this more.  Took a quick video but need to get it uploaded, never down that before.

One major milestone complete, just a few more!

James

WOOO-HOOO!!! :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

You ROCK, James!  Man, I wish I'd been there to witness the Frankenstienian glory!

Can't wait to see it in person.  We'll have to dig up some G-code for a circle or something so we can actually MAKE SOME SAWDUST!!!

MAN, I am SOO jazzed!  :-D 

-dave

ps.  Chris - Thanks for the donated computer.  You saved the day!

[James Lindsay]

It really happened, here's the video to prove it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYgdSdjY8OQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Collexion-CNC" group.
To post to this group, send email to collex...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to collexion-cn...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/collexion-cnc?hl=en.

[David Hempy]

I took the afternoon off work and I fiddled with the router a while today. 

I swapped around the X and Y axis wiring, so the two long rails are the Y, and the cross-gantry is the X.  This matches the Joe's plans, so we'll speak the same language as all the other builders. I updated the labels on the wires.  Tried to bring my label printer, but couldn't find it. (surprise...)

I copied the Mach3 profile (collexion_4x8) to (collexion_dave) to tinker, without stomping on your settings, James.  I swapped around the axes' pin settings to match the new wiring.  At this point, collexion_4x8 should NOT be used to move the machine, as the pins and slaving don't match the hardware.  Use collexion_dave instead.

The racking problem you described was pronounced, James.  I changed the speed and acceleration on the slaved pair (actually, all three R&P axes) to be identical and the racking seemed reduced, but still not right.

Then I found that the shaft on the A motor (the one closest to the enclosure) is spinning in the drive pulley.  I didn't have time to pull the assembly to confirm/correct, but that appears to be what's going on. This may have been caused by the disparate speed settings on Y/A (or maybe Mach ignores A settings on a slaved pair?), or maybe we just didn't get that one tight initially. 

Anyway, this should be an easy fix -- find the flat on the shaft and tighten the set screw.  I've seen several threads on the forum talking about this problem, with various solutions like tapping for a second set screw, loc-tite, a second set screw to lock the first, etc.  Anyone want to research those fixes?  We should apply that fix to all the steppers.

We need to fix this before running the machine any more, to minimize damage to the shaft and/or pulley. 

I'm tied up this weekend and won't be at the space.  If anyone else goes down, I'd focus on fixing the A stepper pulley first.

Other things that anyone can jump in on:

• Fix stepper coupler issue (above).
  
• Screwing the lower MDF down the the frame.
• Plug in the router and cut some squares manually.  (Or tape a Sharpie to it and draw squares!)
• Bring some simple G-code (under 500 lines) and make something interesting.
  
• Strip the machine for paint.  (This won't be as big a deal as it sounds like, I think)
• Weld on some little shelves for the energy chain.
  
• Work on wiring in the enclosure.
• Start tinkering with CAD/CAM software.

Hope to make it out next weekend!

-dave

[David Dienhart]

Awesome Dave. You made some really good progress.

Best Regards,

David

David Dienhart

http://www.dienhart.com

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Collexion-CNC" group.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/collexion-cnc/-/3KejWgXVI_oJ.

[David Hempy]

Thanks, but really it's all James.  I just followed behind him and tweaked a bit.

-dave