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C Beam Rotary

Discussion in 'CNC Lathes' started by gwandad, Nov 26, 2015.

C Beam Rotary

C Beam Rotary

Discussion in 'CNC Lathes' started by gwandad, Nov 26, 2015.

I've used the good work of Openbuilds & expanded it to suit.

4th axis CBeam
  1. gwandad

    gwandad Well-Known
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    gwandad published a new build:

    Read more about this build...
     
    #1 gwandad, Nov 26, 2015
  2. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Looking forward to seeing some of the cool cuts and carving you will be making on this machine @gwandad
    BTW if your look for software that can 'wrap' your gcode around your rotary axis you may want to have a look at this one. I have not used it but it should work.
    CNC Wrapper - Home
    Thank you for sharing
     
    #2 Mark Carew, Nov 27, 2015
  3. gwandad

    gwandad Well-Known
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    Thanks for that Mark, but I have access to Vectric Aspire which has that built in. Having said that, I don't know how to use it yet, but they have tutorials which are normally excellent, so I live in hope! I'm a fair bit away from using it yet, but will note it here, warts n all!when I do.
     
    #3 gwandad, Nov 27, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2015
    Mark Carew likes this.
  4. Carl Henrick

    Carl Henrick New
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    This looks fantastic. I'm looking into my first build and want to make a 2 axis CNC lathe using c beam linear actuators and this has inspired me even more. Have you got anymore detail on the index chuck and tailstock as these are 2 items I'm struggling to find
     
    #4 Carl Henrick, Nov 29, 2015
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  5. gwandad

    gwandad Well-Known
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    Thanks for the kind words. E Bay has a large selection of chucks etc.. Just search for "CNC Engraving Router Rotational" & you'll find a great selection. Mine is a 3 jaw,100 mm unit, but I wish I'd bought a 4 jaw to make holding square stock easier.They are a 65 mm centre. The gear ratio is 6:1. Good luck with your build.
     
    #5 gwandad, Nov 29, 2015
  6. MTO

    MTO Well-Known
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    Why only 2 axes? That'll let you turn many things, but you're missing out on threading, which I think would be really useful. I guess you don't need a stepper on the headstock, just some kind of radial encoder, but doesn't that count as a third axis?
     
    #6 MTO, Nov 30, 2015
  7. David the swarfer

    David the swarfer OpenBuilds Team
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    Controller software like Mach3 and LinuxCNC only need a single pulse per rev from the spindle in order to synchronize threading on a lathe.
     
    #7 David the swarfer, Nov 30, 2015
  8. Carl Henrick

    Carl Henrick New
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    The application I want to use my build for is for my hobby of making fishing floats. I make these out of a hard closed cell foam which I want to rotate in the chuck and use the x & y motion to shape as it rotates. After looking at the CNC engraving router rotational axis, I may look at using this from the z axis control but more from a manual speed control way as x & y will give me all the shaping I require.
    This is a complete new concept to me as all my lathe work is normally done manually so looking forward to getting it started
     
    #8 Carl Henrick, Nov 30, 2015
  9. Pierre

    Pierre New
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    This is really cool. I would love to make this my next project. After my second CNC router, ( the first one was a disaster but taught me a lot), I feel like this would compliment the router. But it would also have to be capable of machining aluminum. It would be great if you post some videos of it in action as soon as you are able.
    I will be watching in anticipation.

    Regards
     
    #9 Pierre, Dec 12, 2015
  10. gwandad

    gwandad Well-Known
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    The main purpose of this build is to make a figurine, so the 3 axes I have built in, namely X,Z & A will hopefully do this for me. Should I desire a Y axis, it will be relatively easy to add an Openbuilds linear bundle & instant 4 axes, so I don't see a problem.
     
    #10 gwandad, Dec 17, 2015
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  11. gwandad

    gwandad Well-Known
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    Just a bit of a report in case anybody is interested. I just updated the build description . I had originally planned to use the X pro and Grbl, but then I discovered that Grbl doesn't handle the 4th axis. I did a lot of homework finally deciding on buying AKZ 250 card and then had to buy mach3. I have not been the least bit sorry for I have discovered that mach3 is a wonderful program. I have a lot of grief trying to set up the machine. Especially since I didn't really know what I was trying to do. I finally got it working correctly and I have turned out quite a number of round pieces, some with designs coupled with some disasters!
    I have never made a movie or video but I will certainly try to do so, to demonstrate my toy working.
    Unfortunately the figurine seems to be as far off as ever. If anybody has a 3-D model. They would be prepared to let me have please let me know.
     
    #11 gwandad, Feb 25, 2016
  12. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Agreed gwandad Mach 3 is a great robust program

    What software are you using to make the code?
    I think Aspire and ArtCam pro can both do wrapped code
    ArtCAM Pro - 3D Design and CNC Machining Software

    Here are a few others that will take 2D gcode and wrap it for 4th axis as well.

    Multiple Axis

    simplemultiaxiscam Very simple, yet well documented program to generate G-Code for 4 and 5 axis CNC machines.

    pyturn Simple python code generator for CNC lathe programs

    CNC G Code Wrapper Program Wraps an XY plane toolpath around the A Axis.

    G-Code Ripper Map linear axis to rotary axis.

    GCodeMapper Maps simple g-code programs (G0, G1, G2, G3 movements) from a plane to a cylinder.

    Spherical Turning Program Use your parting tool to do spherical turning.

    Wrapper Wrapper (wrap a toolpath around a cylinder for those who have a lathe as a 4th Axis).

    The CNC Toolkit Collection of utilities to help users produce, edit, import and export the machine control codes for general automation, mechatronic, hexapod, robotic and animatronic applications. Source code.

    CAMVOX Open source application designed for producing multi-axis toolpaths. Features: CSG (Constructive Solid Geometry), High resolution voxel space , Full 3D milling with 4 or 5-axis, Collision avoidance.[12]

    Looking forward to it @gwandad
     
    #12 Mark Carew, Feb 26, 2016
  13. gwandad

    gwandad Well-Known
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    I'm using Aspire. I'm very fortunate to have access to such a great package. Even I can follow the tutorials. I'll gradually work through your list out of interest, but being basically lazy, I doubt I'll use anything else, but thanks for the information, but more importantly, your interest.
     
    #13 gwandad, Feb 26, 2016
  14. gwandad

    gwandad Well-Known
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    Mark Carew said:
    Looking forward to it.
    I've included my first attempt to show the machine working. It's surrounded by bits of hardboard & other scrap stuff to try to contain the incredible amount of sawdust it generates. The Makita router has a very strong cooling fan that exhausts around the working bit. Coupled with the large amount of wood to be removed, makes a huge mess! I apologise for the boring movie, but I had to return the borrowed camera before it got to the interesting bits. I've included some stills of the final product. I'm a happy camper!
     

    Attached Files:

    #14 gwandad, Mar 30, 2016
  15. Jawa

    Jawa New
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    I am going to attempt to build this for a wood working project, thanks for all the info to date. How are you getting on with the machine these days?
     
    #15 Jawa, Jan 9, 2019
  16. sutharvj66

    sutharvj66 New
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    #16 sutharvj66, Jun 11, 2019
  17. sutharvj66

    sutharvj66 New
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    hi, gwandad. I really love this machine and would like to build for me. if you can share me all parts in detail including all electronic items required for this machine, I will really appreciate. i just love your machine design and size.
    thanks in advance
     
    #17 sutharvj66, Jun 11, 2019

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