[mactec54]

A few quick upgrades added to the machine.

Added a torque meter from the VFD. This will show if I'm pushing the spindle too hard.
Added a SSR to turn AC power on to the new AC outlet when the spindle turns on. It also has a manual override switch. I plan to use it to power on/off my shop vac dust collector.
Added an air solenoid to also turn on air to the mister when spindle turns on. This will keep the air compressor from running after the cut is complete.

With the new mods, I don't have to be so attentive to the machine when a cycle completes.

Messy wiring which I will clean up a bit but going for function over form as the wiring is inside the control box and reasonably protected.

Andrew

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Can you post a link to the Torque Meter it could have some uses also for testing motors / spindles

[the_canuck]

It's a built in function of the WJ200 VFD. I use setting C028 set to 02 which sets one of the analog output pins to 0-10V signal representing output torque. Page 4-90 in the VFD manual.

The meter is an analog 0 - 10VDC panel meter off Amazon for $8.

[the_canuck]

Pushing some faster cutting at bigger docs this week. Those 45 helix cutter made for AL really work as advertised.

https://youtu.be/ahHNbPtXPKs


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[the_canuck]

Here's a recent project that the CNC machine came in handy for. I machined the molds for the wing joiners and joiner boxes with the CNC to help out Thinkflight and RCTestFlight's project. I also made some 3D printed parts and cut a bunch of the foam parts for them.

https://youtu.be/S-eND8-AZFI

[mactec54]

Here's a recent project that the CNC machine came in handy for. I machined the molds for the wing joiners and joiner boxes with the CNC to help out Thinkflight and RCTestFlight's project. I also made some 3D printed parts and cut a bunch of the foam parts for them.

What a great project :cheers:

[the_canuck]

A new mold project. Cut from Tooling board.



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[mactec54]

A new mold project. Cut from Tooling board.



Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Merry Christmas your projects are very cool, just looking at your machine and see you have some of the oldest DMM Servos on your machine, how old is your machine now

[the_canuck]

I started buying parts for the machine in 2007. Servos and drives are still going strong. I do have minor issues but its usually mechanical not electrical. Its been a pretty reliable tool for the shop.

Latest failure was I had the spindle cooling pump fail. Several thouaand hrs on a $25 chinese pump isnt horrible. Easy fix to drop in a new one.

I finally purchased a spare spindle as Im starting to hear bearing wear on the original one. Better to have a backup on the shelf for when the original fails.

Vevor.com has 2.2kw spindles really cheap. I havent checked runout yet but it looks good so far

Machine gets regular use. I put 40+ hrs on it last week. I make a ton of parts for my day job. Mostly exotic materials like solid graphite. I also machine a ton of cast acrylic.

The mold projects are side jobs for now.

Andrew

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[mactec54]

I started buying parts for the machine in 2007. Servos and drives are still going strong. I do have minor issues but its usually mechanical not electrical. Its been a pretty reliable tool for the shop.

Latest failure was I had the spindle cooling pump fail. Several thouaand hrs on a $25 chinese pump isnt horrible. Easy fix to drop in a new one.

I finally purchased a spare spindle as Im starting to hear bearing wear on the original one. Better to have a backup on the shelf for when the original fails.

Vevor.com has 2.2kw spindles really cheap. I havent checked runout yet but it looks good so far

Machine gets regular use. I put 40+ hrs on it last week. I make a ton of parts for my day job. Mostly exotic materials like solid graphite. I also machine a ton of cast acrylic.

The mold projects are side jobs for now.

Andrew

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

The G-Penny is the best low-cost spindle of that size

[the_canuck]

Time for upgrades.

ATC spindle is in the process of being installed on the machine.

Jianken 2.2kw ISO20 ATC spindle.

Lots of new air solenoids to control air flow to the spindle and to operate the tool rack tool changer as well as some other stuff.

In the process of tearing down the machine to install the new thick z-axis plate I discovered a damaged linear bearing on the z-axis. It will be replaced. It was most likely causing some of the vibration I was noticing was getting worst last few months. I was blaming the old chinese 2.2kw spindle bearings but the linear bearing was most likely a bigger contributor.


Andrew

[the_canuck]

Phase 1 is done. Machine is back in operation. I cut my first parts tonight with the new spindle. I'm happy with the results!

[the_canuck]

I posted a quick video of the tool changer on my LinkedIn business page: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update...48089533943808

Everything is now operational.

9 position air actuated tool rack.

I'm utilizing the 2 built in spindle sensors to verify good tool pick ups and drop offs. The tool change code is setup so any tool assigned to a pocket in the rack will auto change when requested but tool outside the pocket range of the rack will ask the operator for a manual tool change. If a tool is missing from the rack, it will also ask the operator for a manual tool load.

The tool table was updated to include more info on each tool so that I can use this on the manual tool change request popups.

Oh, and I have a whole new CNC router arriving today to my shop which I plan to use for 2nd operations. I purchased a OneFinity Elite series machine and it arrives at the shop today!