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proLIGHT 2000 Retrofit. Wiring new components.

September 5, 2020, 7:19 pm by Eldar Gerfanov (Admin)

Finally got all the parts a coulple of days ago and by now have connected everything on the table.

By accident ordered a wrong mounting plate for the encoders and decided to design and 3d print themon my own. In the morning I had 3 brand new encoder mountings!  

By trial and error figured that it is best to leave the default encoder count to 2048 PPR. With that set, the servos are very stiff yet quiet. Almost no dithering.

Managed to connect the spindle control and have it turning CW at programmed speed. Yet can't figure out how to run it backwards:(

3D-Printed Encoder Mounting 20200905_000349.jpg Encoder Top 20200905_000422.jpg Encoder Bottom 20200905_000505.jpg Electrical Cabinet 20200905_194733.jpg All connected on the table 20200905_195359.jpg

ProLIGHT 2000 retrofit!

August 20, 2020, 7:20 am by Eldar Gerfanov (Admin)

I have been hunting for a very rigid but small machine for the last year or so.

And when I finally found one for sale on an auction in Minnesota, I could not pass.

Now the machine is in my garage.

It is a surprisingly heavy machine with a solid epoxy granite frame.

The features are as follows:

  • 1.5HP 5000 RPM spindle
  • Closed loop servos on all axes
  • Power draw bar and a rack tool changer assembly

I built a table with casters for it and upon plugging it to a computer it turned out that.... It's dead!

The proprietary Animatics control in the back is not working, which means 95% of all electronics in the back must be replaced.

I was actually almost hoping for that because the original software is DOS-only. It is hardly convenient to work with it.

I want it to work under mach or LinuxCNC

So I ordered the required parts online and when all of them are here, I will start the retrofit process.

I will be documenting my process in comments.

Wish me luck!

20200815_172749.jpg 20200815_172749.jpg 20200815_172817.jpg 20200815_172817.jpg 20200815_173030.jpg 20200815_173030.jpg 20200815_172804.jpg 20200815_172804.jpg

HSMAdvisor works with Nomad Carbide 3D too!

August 15, 2020, 11:27 pm by Eldar Gerfanov (Admin)

HSMAdvisor/FSWizard got featured on DIY Engineering!

It seems like HSMAdvisor's machine profile settings and power compensation work just fine even for as small of a CNC machines as  Nomad  Carbide 3D:

Importing HSMWorks Tool Libraries into HSMAdvisor

August 11, 2020, 2:18 pm by Eldar Gerfanov (Admin)

Great news for our many Fusion 360 users!

Starting with HSMAdvisor v2.1.0, you can import HSMWorks hsmlib files into the HSMAdvisor database.
Holder import is not yet supported, but I will add it in one of the next updates.

Please have Fusion export the tool library in HSMWorks .hsmlib format

Not sure what to do with allowing HSMAdvisor to export tools into F360...
Please let me know if you are interested in this functionality, and I will work on it.

Take it for a ride and let me know if there are any issues with it!
https://hsmadvisor.com/?page=Download

Cheers!

F360 Tool Database Import HSMA_F360_Import.PNG

HSMAdvisor v2.0.2

August 8, 2020, 4:11 pm by Eldar Gerfanov (Admin)

I just uploaded a new standalone and Mastercam 2021 hook version of HSMAdvisor Machinist Calculator.

In it fixed the issue with the loading of older database files and updating DB UI.

Also from this point on HSMAdvisor will switch to Semantic Versioning in the following format: major.minor.build

  • Major: big update that makes older version non-forward compatible.
  • Minor: a minor update that does not break any existing functionality
  • Build: a bug-fix that does not add new features, but fixes the existing ones

Check out the latest version here: https://hsmadvisor.com/?page=Download

Have an enjoyable and safe weekend, everybody!

Announcing HSMAdvisor 2!

July 16, 2020, 4:56 pm by Eldar Gerfanov (Admin)
HSMA2_MachineManager.PNG

In version 2 we tried to keep the familiar layout of HSMAdvisor.

HSMAdvisor 2 is currently at the "Release Candidate" stage.
Every month I will be publishing an update that will reset its trial counter, so people can use it for free until it is finally production-ready.

The best thing of all is HSMAdvisor 2 license is completely compatible with its predecessor!

Download HSMAdvisor 2 from here!

FSWizard 1.7.9

May 19, 2020, 11:12 pm by Eldar Gerfanov (Admin)
FSWizard1.7.9.PNG

Centerdrill Calculator added in FSWizard 1.7.9!

Check it out at https://fswizard.com

Calculator shows reference for Imperial and Metric centerdrills and allows to calculate the depth of the drilled hole based on the countersink hole diameter and vise-versa.

Also this new version features better support for wide screens.
The input fields are now stacked in 3 columns when screen width is large enough to fit them.

If you want to sign up for the beta test, please read here: https://zero-divide.net/?shell_id=151&article_id=5271_free-fswizard-pro-for-everybody

Cheers!

Centerdrill Calc FSWizard1.7.9.PNG

Workholding 101: Machining irregular-shaped part on a fixture

May 8, 2020, 12:30 pm by Eldar Gerfanov (Admin)

Often times CNC programming tutorials only teach you how to create the tool-paths and not enough attention is paid on showing how to properly hold parts being machined.

At the same time efficient workholding is an art in it self and mastering it could drastically improve shop productivity and accuracy.

Without further ado let's jump into the workflow.

Step 1. Analyze the Drawing and the Model

We would have to look at the drawing, tolerances and the CAD model to develop the machining strategy.

This particular part has tight (+/- 0.001) tolerances between the features located on the top and the bottom sides. In addition to that it has a 2.5 degree draft angle on external walls.

Thus I decided to not use the soft jaws approach and machine it in a fixture. Soft jaws are generally OK for tolerances down to +/-0.001" but because of the draft angle the part would always want to pop out of the jaws.

Read More 
1. Finished Part IMAG0781.jpg 2. First Op: Before IMAG0720.jpg 2. First Op. After IMAG0722.jpg 3. Machined Fixture IMAG0763.jpg 4. Second Op: Bearing Seat IMAG0765.jpg 5. Third Op: Finished Part IMAG0767.jpg

3D Printed COVID Respirator Masks

April 6, 2020, 2:24 am by Eldar Gerfanov (Admin)

Due to the current situation with lack of N95 masks in the stores I resorted to 3D print a pair for me and my wife.

I also made the designs freely available on thingiverse: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4264883

Here is the description of the project:

High airflow Respirator mask in 3 sizes: Large, Medium and Small.

Large works for a large male face. 125mm height*
Medium for a smaller male face. 115 mm
Small works for a female or a 10 y/o kid face. 105mm height.

*I measure face height from chin to the centre of the nose bridge.)

Designed to take 1 or 2 55mm cotton pads into each of 3 filter housings.
Install filter medium into the bottom of the cap and screw on to the mask body.

Make sure to print 3 caps for each mask as well. Caps are the same for all mask sizes.

Used white window insulation sticky cord on the inside to add cushion and improve insulation.

Had to also use a file and fine sanding paper to make sure the mating surfaces on the mask body are smooth and do not have any air gaps.

Disclaimer: I designed and printed this for me and my family. It has not been tested, and although I designed with safety in mind, I do not claim it can prevent any infections or viruses. Use at your own risk. PLEASE be careful when testing: different cotton pad brands have different density and 2 pads per filter may cause difficulty breathing! Please make sure to remove the filters and sanitize the mask and caps after each use.

The models are designed in Fusion 360.

Parts printed on Creality Ender 3S Printer with the following settings:

  • Layer Thicknss: 0.2mm
  • Infill: 20%
  • Filament Material: PLA
  • First Layer Speed: 35mm/s
  • Wall Speed: 75mm/s
  • Support: everywhere
  • Support Speed 75mm/s
  • Support Density: 1 line at 5%

1 mask plus 3 caps takes about 14 hours to print at: 75mm/s.

Please wash your hands and stay safe.

We will get through this!

Cap Cap.stl Size:0.55 MB Large Mask Mask Body-125 mm Large.stl Size:3.29 MB Medium Mask Mask Body-115 mm Medium.stl Size:3.79 MB Small Mask Mask Body-105 mm Small.stl Size:3.78 MB

Avid CNC Benchtop Pro: HSM and High Feed Milling

March 15, 2020, 3:36 pm by Eldar Gerfanov (Admin)

On the heels of the previous post.

YouTuber Breaking Taps has just published another of his interesting videos:

In it he is testing various High-Speed Machining techniques on his benchtop CNC router.

Also it is mentioned that HSMAdvisor does not seem to like those small high-feed cutters: at some point some calculated values become negative.

This is a legitimate criticism and it actually happens because default cutting depth of 0.024" becomes too large for the 0.24" Lakeshore high feed and mill and an actual Flute length of 0.015" must be entered in order to get proper values:


With actual 0.015" flute length entered the recommended speed and feed values are now in the safe end of the ballpark suggested by the manufacturer.

Task added to the issue tracker!

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