Well here is a unique project that I am thinking about, converting a quilting machine to cnc. There are a few ones offered on the market but that would be no fun, I would rather build it myself.
Here are the parameters the x-axix is 120" long and the y-axis is 24". There is no z-axis to worry with. Resolution needs to be in the range of 1/100 of an inch. Sounds easy, right? Ok well to be productive it needs to sew at 3 to 4 ips and possibly 4 that's 180 to 240 ipm, with indexing moves above that. The biggest issue I see is inerta, The machine itself is about 35lbs and the y carriage will be another 5 to 12 lbs at least (it has to carry the complete y-axis system). For instance when running into the point of a star the last stitch is the last stitch before direction reversal, there is no radius or room. Been thinking about belt drive on the x-axis as it would be cheap, easy and give the required resolution, probably rack and pinion on the Y as it would be compact. So how does one calcuate how large of a motor will be required? Either stepper or servo. It there acc and dec on steppers? Does Mach3 read ahead and allow you to slow down when necessary?
JUst a bunch of questions and an Idea that I am dying to try, I know its being done, but I wanna do it my self.
thanks guys