My home build - so far so good

[Andy T]

No, nothing to see...

For round holes use G2/3, not short straight vectors...

Uwe

Dam, try this link.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/nZY5xvhBhjyoxzLw8

Also with regards to the G2/3, my cam doesn't output using G2/3 for this large hole/pocket. Tried lots of different post processors and none of them do, so not sure about that?

Cheers
Andy
U.K

[suntravel]

Now I can see it.

What CAM are you using?

For a single hole, I would use Acorns Intercon, much faster and makes round holes

Uwe

[Andy T]

Hi Guys,

Bit of an update, the ATC is working now I've figured out a crude double pole relay mod for the drive for it (its all in another help post).
So here it is, the 1st successful tool change. I still need to align it perfectly and get rid of some shims but I don't care, I'm still calling it a success, and I'm excited to get it filled up with tools, finally .

The ATC build is running on a stepper pulse gen board (ebay) , through the stepper driver, through a 100/1 harmonic drive GB (long story).

Now onto the 4th axis, harmonic drive again with a teknic SDSK to match the rest of the axis's.

Hopefully the below link works this time.............. I was excited just a little bit .

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PZYynAufW7YjwsqS8

Cheers
Andy
U.K

[cnckeith]

cool! thanks for posting!
in future post the link to the Album that has all the photos and videos in one place.

[Andy T]

cool! thanks for posting!
in future post the link to the Album that has all the photos and videos in one place.

you mean this, right?
https://photos.app.goo.gl/nZY5xvhBhjyoxzLw8

[cnckeith]

Yes! perfect, all photos and videos in one spot! thanks

[Andy T]

Hi Guys,

Been fine tuning the ATC, and it now works perfectly. Theirs a link to the album above but here's the individual video.

I did swear with joy at my 1st fully automatic tool change...........so apologies in advance for that .

https://photos.app.goo.gl/1QbwyGrB3xyxpsnp7

[Andy T]

Hi Guys,

My 4th axis is now up and running and i've just started stringing together some tool paths with the ATC etc. Its pretty awesome if I do say so myself .
Still have to fit the motor for the powered tailstock but i'm in no rush for that at present, i'm liking playing with the other bits at present, lol.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/QhG54qbHKCvtRh356

Album - https://photos.app.goo.gl/nZY5xvhBhjyoxzLw8

Cheers
Andy
U.K

[Andy T]

Hi Guys,

Starting to see what the machine will do now in terms of speed,

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9ZStAXmEX5Xrh6MZ6

Album - https://photos.app.goo.gl/nZY5xvhBhjyoxzLw8

[Andy T]

Hi Guys,

So as I've said before this 4 axis machine has been built for just a single purpose.

I'm into something called 'airsoft' (for those that know what that is) and a few years ago I started to develop a product which takes one of the high end airsoft platforms on by a few steps with added features etc etc (i won't go into the detail here).

When I was starting out I made a few prototypes on my Chinese router with Mach 3....... as we all do when starting out i'm sure.
Some parts were made from 7075 T6 on the old machine and it did a pretty good job TBH, but as you'd imagine it was slow, to get a reasonable finish.

But things moved on and I required a new machine which could actually produce something which I could sell. The machine would need to be accurate, reliable, and faster than the router and be able to leave the machine to run without any human interaction whilst tool changing.

I believe I achieved all those requirements and its been a life changer.

I found the Acorn on the net and it looked like the thing I wanted......... but it really wasn't obvious in the marketing that its capable of incorporating a tool changer. Therefore I looked at a Masso and was just about to press the button on that when I came across some random youtube vid about the Acorn being able to use a tool changer. This was the reason I went with the Acorn.........

If you want my humble advise...(I'm sure you don't need it).... but please make more of the tool changer function in your marketing.

So here we are, I'm making parts (selling products) on the new machine run by Acorn, with Teknic motors (had a dud though), with a Chinese ATC spindle (that's awesome), flood cooling etc etc.

I'm running at only 50% of what the teknics are capable of at present as they scare me a little. On double nut ball screws and Hiwin rails.
And everything seems pretty accurate to within a 1/100 of a mm.

For average roughing out I use an 8mm end mill at DOC 5mm, 4000mm p/m, and i'm happy with that.......... but i know the machine will do more.

Acorn has had a couple of hiccups, but I think its more to do with microsoft than centroid, but I do trust Acorn.......... and that's the main thing.

So here you'll find a video with what I'm actually doing. I should state that this is 'AIRSOFT' and not real firearms and they can't be converted.

I've started to market my designs/products now as I'm confident that I can produce them correctly thanks to my Centroid Acorn machine.
I'll soon make a start on a 2nd machine .

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fc2x57E38G1oWDwF7

Cheers
Andy
U.K