[JBV]

I could not sleep tonight so i made a little program! A simulation of a Stewart Platform (Hexapod) I wanted to see if you could make both the worktable and the spindle movable to get a bigger envelope on the same size of frame!

I made the model about 120cm (47 inch) diameter and about 90cm (35,5) high with:
X&Y - 80cm (31,5) and Z - 40cm (15,7) travel.
A&B - +/- 45 degrees tiltable.

The worktable is Indexable +/- 45 degrees too be able to machine at 90 degrees ! The linear actuators would be about 30-35cm extendable to 60-70cm.

I have only programmed simulation for X,Y & Z yet. But you can try to index the spindle and then run the simulation, or try another g-code (just replace test.txt)

/Jay

[miljnor]

Thats pretty cool man. What program did you use to make the graphics?

I have read posts hear on the hexpod but have never looked into it as I think I need to complete a normal machine before getting all crazy on this type of machine.

How is the movement achieved via the gcode?

Basicaly your using normal point to point moves in a standard format, my question is how do you make each axis move to the coresponding spot?

looks like an interesting project.

[JBV]

I made the program in Blitz basic 3d, a language for easy and fast game programming. Great to prototype before going to C++

The movement is very simple, i just read the file for each G01 code and get the X, Y and Z value from the row and then move the spindle to that coordinate divided in 2 (the worktable movement is divided in 2 and inverted) The legs is simulated by measuring a vector from the pivot points at the spindle/table and the frame... Then i just position the leg and scale it to correct lenght. I havent looked into how the real programs do this yet!

I will definitively try to build something like this when i have a working cnc mill and lathe!

/Jay

[Evodyne]

Guys-know what really blows? Seeing this cool demo, downloading it, and then finding out the PC I'm using doesn't have a 3D card! Ugh. I'll take a peek tomorrow, but it sounds cool. Thanks for sharing with us.

Supposedly, although you wouldn't think it to look at them, the hexapods are exceptionally rigid due to everthing being in triangulation. Wonder if these will become the "standard" down the road?

Lance

[JBV]

Okay! Hope you get it to work tomorrow then (and like it)

If you feedback the leg lenghts with laser measuring (and perhaps the frame?) You should get an extremely accurate system, even from thermal expansion! Think this would be expensive to implement?

[SimonArthur]

Great idea, Jay. If you built a simple hexapod, then you might be able to get away with not having a conventional milling machine. And there area ways to get that done without a lathe, either.