Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- projects:welcome [2017/11/14 18:36]
jerzydziewierz
+++ projects:welcome [2017/11/14 19:45]
jerzydziewierz
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-====================================
 ====== Krautkramer XYZ Table ======
-====================================
 on 2017-11-01, we have an opportunity to acquire a heavy split-axis cartesian XYZ machine for our endeavours:
@@ Line 7: / Line 5: @@
 {{:projects:krautkramer_zero_in_cue.jpg?400|}}
------------ machine size and weight ---------
+== Machine size and weight ==
 Outermost dimensions with some margin:
@@ Line 16: / Line 15: @@
-The machine itself is very robust
+The machine itself is very robust.
-It is likely approx. 40 years old. There is no driver electronics whatsoever, but there is:
-* high precision rails on both axes. No play. No rust, no damage.
+It is likely approx. 40 years old, but for what it is, it has seen only a very light use. It was used to guide an ultrasonic probe in a water tank. The base, and the bridge is solid steel; it is very rigid. It weights no less than 300kg.
-* Linear motors. There are noiseless. Known coil resistance: 14 ohms. Tested working.
-* Ultra high precision linear encoders, with sine-cosine output. Tested works at 5V supply.
+There are no driver electronics whatsoever, but there is:
-* elastic covers to all axes.
-We need to build the servo amplifier and the motion controller for it.
+  * high precision rails on both axes. No play. No rust, no damage. Noiseless.
+  * Linear motors. These are noiseless. Known coil resistance: 14 ohms. Tested working with 2A current, although, we'd have to test how much can they take before overheating. Ideally, they need onboard temperature monitor.
+  * Ultra high precision linear encoders, with a sine-cosine output. Tested works OK at 5V supply.
+  * elastic covers on both axes. This makes it a very pro-looking machine.
+== What is missing: ==
+  * We need to build the servo amplifier and the motion controller for it. Budgetary cost ~~200gbp
+  * We need to build a motion controller for it. *machinekit* has been suggested. As far as I understand, the club has a beaglebone black waiting for such opportunity.
+  * We need to supply an end effector - e.g. 3D printer head or other.
+===== Prerequisites =====
 Before we can bring it to the club, there are following concerns to be addressed first:
+== Risk: Environmental - office conditions versus dust, noise, vibration e.t.c. ==
------------ Risk: Environmental - office conditions versus dust, noise, vibration e.t.c. -------
 [2017-11-14]
 At this point, there would be no noise, no dust, no vibration e.t.c.
 This is because:
-* the machine is not actually operable. The servo amplifiers are missing and there is no end effector on it.
+ * the machine is not actually operable. The servo amplifiers are missing and there is no end effector on it.
-* When powered, the movement of the primary axes is completely noiseless. This is because these are linear servo motors optimised for ultrasonic research and hence optimised for not generating acoustic noise (which would interfere with measurements). These kind of motors are very unlike stepper motors (which would buzz).
-* When we are ready to install the end effector, this will be the point to consider the amplitude of noise and dust generation:
- * for a 3D printer head, we can all agree that regular ventilation & noise would make it acceptable
+ * When powered, the movement of the primary axes is completely noiseless. This is because these are linear servo motors optimised for ultrasonic research and hence optimised for not generating acoustic noise (which would interfere with measurements). These kind of motors are very unlike stepper motors (which would buzz).
- * for a precision 3D scanner head (actually, one of the original uses of this machine) there would be no noise whatsoever
+ * When we are ready to install the end effector, this will be the point to consider the amplitude of noise and dust generation:
- * for a general purpose CNC machine: I am afraid that this table is not really suitable for a general-purpose CNC operation. This is because the linear motors will have a very limited force that they can exert. Hence, I believe that with current motors, metal and wood processing would not be feasible. One could think about installing stronger motors, but really, that would cost a lot. In any case, if we decide to do this, the dust would have to be extracted up to a cleanroom standard (possible, but not cheap) and the noise would be a serious consideration. High-quality spindles (with controlled runout) actually do not create that much noise, but they cost cost cost.
+ * for a 3D printer head, we can all agree that regular ventilation & noise would be acceptable. Possibly, keep the window open to prevent accumulation of fumes. Otherwise, the risks are low.
- * for a PCB router: This is much more possible to do. It is possible to build a low power dust extractor from base materials ( i actually have all the parts that I can contribute). The noise would be manageable.
+ * for a precision 3D scanner head (actually, one of the original uses of this machine) there would be no noise whatsoever. Budgetary cost ~150gbp
-** a spark erosion processor: In such case, there is no dust, no noise, and the end product could be of extremely high quality (injection moulds are often finished with this technique). This method is limited by the available electric power, and in general, very slow. EM interference can be managed by enclosing the working area in a Faraday cage.
+ * for a general purpose CNC machine: I am afraid that this table is not really suitable for a general-purpose CNC operation. This is because the linear motors will have a rather limited force that they can exert. Hence, I believe that with current motors, metal and wood processing would not be feasible. One could think about installing stronger motors, but really, that would cost a lot. In any case, if we decide to do this, the dust would have to be extracted up to a cleanroom standard (possible, but not cheap) and the noise would be a serious consideration. High-quality spindles (with controlled runout) actually do not create that much noise, but they cost cost cost.
+ * for a PCB router: This is much more possible to do. It is possible to build a low power dust extractor from base materials ( i actually have all the parts that I can contribute). The noise would be manageable. We would need to buy in or make a high-quality spindle; budgetary cost is ~200-500gbp.
+ * a spark erosion processor: In such case, there is no dust, no noise, and the end product could be of extremely high quality (injection moulds are often finished with this technique). This method is limited by the available electric power, and in general, very slow. EM interference can be managed by enclosing the working area in a Faraday cage. Budgetary cost: Unknown, but no less than 500gbp.
+==  Risk: Health and Safety from the moving parts ==
------------ Risk: Health and Safety from the moving parts ------------
 [2017-11-14]
 [Bob]: H&S?
@@ Line 55: / Line 72: @@
 To mitigate this risk, we could:
-(proposal 1): Build it into a lockable cabinet to make it even more obvious that it is not to be messed with.
-(proposal 2): Instead of a cabinet, we could install a nightlatch on each of the two heavy axes: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/product/yale-77-traditional-nightlatch-nickel-bronze-603896  ; there is enough space there to install it, and it would prevent people from moving the axes by hand (and trapping their fingers in the process).
---------- Risk: How to remove it from the club after the interest wanes out  ------------
+  * (proposal 1): Build it into a lockable cabinet to make it even more obvious that it is not to be messed with.
- [2017-11-14]
+  * (proposal 2): Instead of a cabinet, we could install a nightlatch on each of the two heavy axes: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/product/yale-77-traditional-nightlatch-nickel-bronze-603896  ; there is enough space there to install it, and it would prevent people from moving the axes by hand (and trapping their fingers in the process).
+== Risk: How to remove it from the club after the interest wanes out  ==
+[2017-11-14]
 [Bob]: In case if the interest stalls, it will be difficult to get rid of it.
@@ Line 65: / Line 84: @@
 [Jurek]: I must agree with this.
 In order to mitigate this risk,
-(proposal 1): I suggest that we start a fund, to be held by the CCA, in which there will be a deposit to cover the machine’s eventual disposal. I guess we might need to find somewhere in range of 300gbp .
+  * (proposal 1): I suggest that we start a fund, to be held by the CCA, in which there will be a deposit to cover the machine’s eventual disposal. I guess we might need to find somewhere in range of 300gbp .
-(proposal 2): Another method might be to get an official quote from one of the scrap metal collectors:
+  * (proposal 2): Another method might be to get an official quote from one of the scrap metal collectors:
 https://www.yell.com/s/metal+collection-glasgow.html
 since there is easily 300kg of metal in this thing, I would guess they might be interested in picking this thing up for free from us.
@@ Line 74: / Line 93: @@
-====================================
 ====== Wooden CNC Machine ======
-====================================
-Recently we had someone contact us via the website to very kindly donate various tools and components. A volunteer collected the donation, which contained among other useful things some stepper motors. A good friend very kindly donated the shell of a CNC machine:
+Recently we had someone contact us via the website to very kindly donating various tools and components. A volunteer collected the donation, which contained among other useful things some stepper motors. A good friend very kindly donated the shell of a CNC machine:
 {{ :projects:cnc-barebones.jpg?nolink |}}
-Further to this we have:
+Further to this, we have:
   * A suitable power supply (donated by Kenny D)
   * An arduino mega, ramps board and various stepper drivers (donated by Martin McG)
   * [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BeagleBoard#BeagleBone_Black|BeagleBone Black]] plus [[http://www.probotix.com/wiki/index.php/PBX-BB|Probotix PBX-BB]] board, kindly donated by Anderw B.
-A CNC machine will allow people to build things in the Electron club, for example circuit boards cut from copper plate, among other things. [[https://www.youtube.com/embed/_PfoMhFJXfk|This video]] is a reasonable primer on the subject.
+A CNC machine will allow people to build things in the Electron club, for example, circuit boards cut from copper plate, among other things. [[https://www.youtube.com/embed/_PfoMhFJXfk|This video]] is a reasonable primer on the subject.
-The current plan is to hold an event on a Saturday were we put all this together to build a CNC machine. Initially for testing purposes we'll have a pen so it will draw things. The remainder of the components required should be in the room, somewhere. Later we'll figure out which route to go for drilling (dremel, brushless spindle etc).
+The current plan is to hold an event on a Saturday were we put all this together to build a CNC machine. Initially, for testing purposes, we'll have a pen so it will draw things. The remainder of the components required should be in the room, somewhere. Later we'll figure out which route to go for drilling (dremel, brushless spindle etc).
 The details of when this will happen are pending, please watch this space and the mailing list.
 Should you have any questions, or wish to donate related equipment please [[:contact|contact us]].

Electron Club

User Tools

Site Tools

Differences

Page Tools