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Mach3
Feb 14, 2013 18:46:15 GMT -5
Post by rbryndza on Feb 14, 2013 18:46:15 GMT -5
First post, just got the WD-1-works great. For a test piece I've been engraving some aluminum with .1mm engraving tips, took a few before I got the feeds right without snapping the tips. Very happy with the repeatabilities overall. The main question: Can the ref Z be adjusted "on the fly" with the machine working? I'm cutting no more than .005 to .008 and across the piece I'm loosing some depth. I think I'm near the limits of the machine-and that's where I want to be for test purposes. BTW I do have a freshly faced mdf slab and a level stable table. Thanks Rick
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Mach3
Feb 15, 2013 10:56:08 GMT -5
Post by romaxxcnc on Feb 15, 2013 10:56:08 GMT -5
Hi Rick,
Per the email you sent, I noticed you're engraving aluminum and there is no dust collection being used and there are aluminum shavings on the Z axis and elsewhere. These shavings are very hard and are going to get in everywhere and cause the machine to jam. Also do not use compressed air to clean the machine as this will disperse the shavings up in to all areas of the machine. Use some sort of dust collection and when working with metals, spread some oil on the surface with a brush. This does two things, it lubricates and helps keep the cutter cool and also retains some of the aluminum shavings. Aluminum at the cutter can become very hot and will melt and gald to the cutter, when this happens, the cutter essentially becomes a dowel, and if small diameter - snaps off.
The 80mm water cooled spindle is being used as well. Those spindles are quite heavy and require slower acceleration. Go in to Config/Motor Tuning select the Z axis and adjust the accel rate from 5 down to 3. Or if it is on 3, drop it to 2 etc. Probably would not be a bad idea to lower the Velocity by 20-30% as well.
-Ron
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Mach3
Feb 15, 2013 23:42:41 GMT -5
Post by rbryndza on Feb 15, 2013 23:42:41 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. Turning down the accel you mentioned helped-didn't know it was there as I'm not fully educated on mach 3 yet. I ended up re-adjusting the Z system after it had been in use for a few hours with the weight of the 2.2. It looks like that helped as well. I bought the 2.2 for some head space in power and I think I learned that although a 2.2 will work- for fine engraving-it might be a little overkill-as I didn't even think about the inertia... I'll get a super light pencil engraver for the detail stuff. But the question still remains.....Can you adjust the Z ref in operation??? Thanks Rick
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Mach3
Feb 16, 2013 10:23:02 GMT -5
Post by perryjackson on Feb 16, 2013 10:23:02 GMT -5
Rick,
When changing tools, I need to re-adjust the Z position, so I cut a hole (on the outside of the part, on the portion used to clamp down the stock to the table) of a known depth (say, 0.5") and then measure the actual depth with a micrometer. I adjust the Z according to the difference between the micrometer reading and 0.5. I then repeat the same steps (to confirm I was not confuse between adding or subtracting the difference to the Z axis position) until my hole depth is close enough to 0.5.
All that while maintaining the X and Y positions.
I am unsure if it is feasible for you as I cut foam, not aluminum. But hopefully it helps.
Cheers,
Perry
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Mach3
Feb 16, 2013 10:48:30 GMT -5
Post by perryjackson on Feb 16, 2013 10:48:30 GMT -5
On the topic of the Z-axis, I never posted this: when I received my WD-1 in 2011, I measured the repeatability of the Z-axis across the entire X-Y envelope by taking several measurements at a predetermined points on a grid by attaching a micrometer to the Z-axis. See attached picture. The Z-axis repeatability across the entire table was LESS THAN 0.003"!!! Perry Attachments:
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Mach3
Feb 16, 2013 14:33:22 GMT -5
Post by rbryndza on Feb 16, 2013 14:33:22 GMT -5
Perry, Thanks for the information, ill give it a try. I just got my WD a few days ago and I'm real happy with it. Although it didn't sustain a real damage i'm sure it got knocked out of tolerances during the shipment all the way to AK. Not a problem, as i don't mind adjusting it up as thats something that needs to be done periodically anyway. I also neglected to mention that the bits im using are 10 degree .1 mm, these are like needles. They might be too delicate for the machine engraving 5 series aluminum-which is not the best machining alloy. like i said earlier i'm trying to run this machine to as close a tolerance as possible just for my education. Rick
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