Electronic Lead Screw (ELS) Introduction.
Hi Everyone,
This forum has been set up to serve as a support location for the ELS product.
Unlike the Yahoo E-Leadscrew group which deals with all different kinds of methods for controlling a lathe lead screw I'd like this forum to concentrate specifically on the ELS design and be the place were specific support questions and photos can be posted.
I won't be ignoring the E-Leadscrew group but I think this forum is a bit more user friendly.
Thanks
John Dammeyer
http://www.autoartisans.com/ELS/
1 Attachment(s)
Back Gauge Control with ELS
You bet that's possible. It's the next project on my do list for the ELS for my own shear and bender. I have already made up the sprocket hubs and cast one carrier block.
The attached photo shows what the guide assembly would look like. The motor would sit in the middle attached to both screws with chain and sprockets. For bending metal I'd include the K factor, thickness and bend depth. For shearing just the cut depth. The motor would move the fence to position.
The spindle sensor input will be used to calibrate the fence location although it may be possible to use stock ELS software and just set a measured position. Something like shearing a piece, measuring it and then entering that value into the ELS. At that point while power is applied it would remember where it is.
John
ELS Controlled Back Fence.
I would replace the motor and gear box with a Stepper Motor. It's difficult to say how large it needs to be. You might have to do some experiments by attaching a lever and hanging a weight to see how much torque is required to turn the screw. Or just take a chance on the motor.
The ELS can drive a stepper motor up to 3 amps. So you would need a power supply of about 24VDC to 45VDC. Ultimately some sort of switch for a Predefined position. It doesn't have to be HOME for 0.000.
As to how to use it, that's hard to say at the moment since I haven't written software for a backfence yet.
The only automated motion available is a move to HOME. (0.000" or 00.00mm) so if you could program in the current position (which isn't possible at the moment) you could then tell the ELS to take the Z axis to HOME.
Stay tuned. I do want to have something like this working soon. Meanwhile, start figuring out how to connect a size 23 or size 34 stepper motor.