Used my XBOX controller to position and set up the job:*
… This made setup easier as I did not have to position the mouse, look at the screen and the gantry at the same time. Just hold the controller and move the gantry.
Tested my stupid simple vacuum shoe and hose management:
… I am pretty happy with the results, at least on this material. It could be improved, I think the shoe could be closer to the bit with a smaller opening. The hose tracked easily without snagging, including all the way to the home position.
I like the open view it provides of the cut. Going to add an LED. Vacuum control switch is a convenient control.
Cut my first project using only F360 and CP:
… Steep F360 learning curve coming from SU. Once I got the hang of it, the tool chain worked from design all the way to the actual machine. The CAM tool in F360 is stellar. Probably abandoning SU, to many tools necessary in the tool chain.
Tried “Tabs” for the first time:
… Easy to setup (click a box) and they cut as planned
Tested pressure sensitive tape:
… Easy setup and tear down and nothing moved. I plan to use this on lots of projects.
Thanks @Brandon_Satterfield for the compliments, I found that I easily forget what I did and that’s why everything is recorded :).
I am happy to document stuff you send me if I get to keep some of it :). The 600w motor and driver would be a good start and I can add this to testing with my new driver and interface adapter!
The hose management was one of those accidental ah ha’s.
I just hooked up the vac cause I was still noodling all the design approaches. I reviewed everything I could find on the web, trolleys and such but I cringed at the complexity and worried about the forces (as you pointed out). The temporary config worked after I added a roller at the end of the table. Then I realized the roller was unnecessary complex, just a curved surface would do, DOH a piece of PVC.
The vacuum currently is energized manually with a switch but I built the accessory switch box so it can be digitally controlled for future connection to the tinyG. I plan to connect "Cool"on the tinyG to my vac controller to use M7/M8 to turn vac on and off. The accessory box supports manual or computer control of vac and air.
I plan to add another interface driver onto the PWM adapter board used for my new spindle driver. 3V interface to the outside world is problematic and noisy.
See circular PCB in the photo of the new spindle driver in test…
and I can add this to testing with my new driver and interface adapter!
