Archive for the ‘CNC DIY’ Category

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–2Bot Corporation, the inventor of the affordable 2Bot 3D modelmaking system, was chosen out of hundreds of other companies to present at today’s Keiretsu Forum Angel Capital Expo, which is being held at Microsoft’s Northern California Campus in Mountain View.

Organized by the world’s largest angel investment network, Keiretsu Forum, Angel Capital Expo is a recurring event across the United States created to foster collaboration among angel groups, as well as reach out to the larger investment community. 2Bot is one of 12 companies that will present to over 300 of Keiretsu Forum’s Bay Area members and accredited investor guests.

2Bot has created a line of professional and "household" manufacturing systems, including its architectural modelmaking system that will debut at Autodesk University in Las Vegas on November 27, 2007. Founder Paul Nye believes that within a few years, 2Bot will revolutionize the way professionals, schools and home owners alike will create products in the future.

“We are aiming for a 2Bot on every desk,” says Paul Nye, founder and President of 2Bot Corporation. "In the future, as opposed to going to Wal-Mart to get a replacement for something that is broken in the house, it will be easier, faster and cheaper to simply make it on-the-spot in your home office. The possible applications of the 2Bot system are endless and will affect everybody in all stages of their life. Angel Capital Expo is a tremendous opportunity for us to generate the additional capital, resources, and connections we need to bring our incredible product to every household in America.”

About 2Bot

For the past 40 years, CNC (Computer Numerical Control) has been a key manufacturing technology in the mass production of hard goods from airplanes to furniture. CNC turns designs on a user’s computer into finished goods by instructing a CNC machine to precisely cut and form raw materials into finished goods. To date, these machines have been so expensive that only very large industries could afford them.

2Bot is the first CNC machine to be conceptualized, engineered, and produced with its own mass production in mind. This allows prices to be so low that the typical professional environment can afford one. We envision that 2Bot will soon become a standard part of each professional’s tool set. 2Bot will make the creation of objects from ideas so effortless that it becomes a common event in your everyday design process.

2Bot systems are currently available for architects and hobbyist engineers. 2Bot Corporation is based in Redmond, WA and is privately held.

2Bot is a service mark of 2Bot Corporation. AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Originally posted 2007-11-18 15:45:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

By Eric Dykstra

Not long ago CNC (which stands for computer numerical control, by the way) machines were so expensive that only large companies could own them. But we’re in the middle of a full-fledged CNC revolution, reaching all the way down to the grassroots level. Now a dedicated average Joe whip up a precise fabricating tool with little more than some plans, basic tools, and a PC.

The internet abounds with plans like Rockcliff Machine’s router design. They claim their design can be completed for as low as $300 — though luck is a factor. You’ll have to shop sales and scrounge materials to hit that number, and settle for common materials like MDF.

Controlling this marvel of modern technology involves software, but luckily the open source community has created free (as in speech) software like EMC. The EMC package offers most — if not all the features of commercial software — without the price.

More specialized gear like stepper motors and polished guide rods and bearings will make up the bulk of the cost of the machine. But sites like CNCzone.com offer links to suppliers as well as a whole community of folks willing to answer questions and give advice.

A whole world of computer controlled tools has been opened to the do-it-your-selfer. Don’t miss out; get out there and give it a look!

Originally posted 2007-10-06 11:16:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

        CNC as a hobby has really seen a huge growth spurt over the last 8 years.  I think I stepped into it about two years after it started cooking in the late 90s.  When I jumped in there were a few CNC Groups going already and about three different CNC Plasma Tables available at the hobby level.  I don’t know where the other machine types were at the time because I came in through the plasma path.  I would guess they were further behind as CNC Plasma Cutters was one of the first areas of CNC to take off in the Hobby arena.

        Most of the growth I would attribute to the Internet.  Groups formed, ideas were shared.  Feedback was given.  People started making “chips” and didn’t look back.  The Internet brought a very expensive technology into garages across the country.  When I built my $4000 CNC Plasma Table a hobbyist class machine was around $10,000 and a commercial machine was $100,000 to as high as you wanted to go.

Originally posted 2007-08-01 23:36:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

CNC Stomp Pad Video 2 – Illustrator Design

In this next video we go over the design of the CNC Stomp Pad.  We use Adobe Illustrator to sketch it out.  We prepare something that a CNC Plasma Cutter could follow.

Originally posted 2007-11-16 15:58:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

CNC Plasma Question

I though I would post this to my CNC Blog.  I had this question come in about converting  to a CNC Plasma Cutter.

"The plasma question….. How can we convert the manual machine.."

If you have a manual plasma cutter, you a quite a ways off from having a CNC Plasma Cutter.  A CNC Plasma Cutter is a system that uses a Control Computer, Control Software, a Controller, Stepper or Servo Motors and a Fabricated Table with X, Y and Z Axis.  You then hook your manual plasma cutter into this "System" so its cuts are directed and very specific.

As far as cost, your manual plasma cutters are anywhere from $800 to $2,000 USD.

Then Add:
$300 Control Computer
$150 Control Software
$1000 to $2000 CNC Controller with Motors and Cables
$1000 to fabricate the CNC Table

Most people who hang out in their shop have the skills to make one.  Most of the problem shows up with the funding and also the time involved piecing it together.

Thanks,
Ivan Irons

 CNC Stomp Pad 8 | Sanding & Spikes

During this CNC Video Segment we sand our CNC Stomp Pad with a Dual Action (DA) sander. We are taking out any deep scratches and giving it a matte finish. The CNC Plasma Cut part then is taken over to a stand. We look at different traction spikes and how they will look. After selecting a spike type, we start laying them out. We layout some marks where we will drill holes in the next video.

During this CNC Video Segment we sand our CNC Stomp Pad with a Dual Action (DA) sander. We are taking out any deep scratches and

CNC Stomp Pad Video 4 – SheetCam Tutorial

This video we send the project into SheetCam.  We check out the plasma cut order and starting and stoping points.  Finally we post-process a g-code file that we will use to cut out our design on the CNC Plasma Cutter.

CNC Stomp Pad Video 3 – Rhino 3D

In this CNC Video we take the design into Rhino 3D.  We scale it to the size we want and then convert it into a DXF File.  That prepares it for the next stage which is CAM.

CNC Stomp Pad Video 1 – Project Intro

Here is the first video in the CNC Stomp Pad video Series.  In this video we outline the project and what we are going to be making.  Check it out!

CAD (Computer-aided design)
Geometry authoring tool that involves software and sometimes special-purpose hardware. Current packages range from 2D vector based drafting systems to 3D solid and surface modellers.

CAM (Computer-aided manufacturing)
Considered as an NC programming tool wherein 3D models of components generated in CAD software are used to generate CNC code to drive numerical controlled machine tools

CNC (computer numerical control)
Refers specifically to a computer "controller" that reads G-code instructions and drives the machine tool.

CAD/CAM part programming
The computer calculation and creation of a toolpath based on part geometry information created in CAD.

Canned cycle
A predetermined machining sequence used to simplify programming.

Data
Information processed as the basis for calculations.

Database
Computer storage that holds data and is searchable

Detail Drawing
A drawing of a part giving a complete and exact description of its form, dimensions, and construction

Dimension
The desired measurement of a part

Documentation
A CAD process in which a part design is converted to a computer file or hard copy for reference and storage purposes.

Drawing Exchange Format
DXF. A standard storage format for personal computer-based CAD/CAM platforms

Driver
That portion of the electronic package that receives the stepping sequence from the translator and provides the switching of the windings in the stepper motor.

G-Code
Common name for the programming language that controls NC and CNC machine tools

Geometric Modeling
A modeling process in which a designer creates lines and text that represents the shape of a desired part. Geometric modeling is the first step in CAD.

Geometry
The measurement, properties, and relationships of the lines and points of an object that make up its shape

M Code
A code used to signal an action from a miscellaneous group of commands. M codes change cutting tools, turn on or turn off the coolant, spindle, or work piece clamps, etc.

Machine Control Data
Manufacturing instructions defined in CAM and enacted on a CNC machine.

Machine Control Unit
A small, powerful computer that controls and operates a CNC machine

Machine Tool
Powered mechanical device, typically used to fabricate metal components of machines by machining

Machining
The selective removal of metal or material

Numerical Control
The use of computers and special program instructions to execute the sequence of machining operations to make a part.

Part Program
A series of numerical instructions used by a CNC machine to perform the necessary sequence of operations to machine a specific work piece.

Personal Computer
PC. A computer designed for an individual user and commercial software. Desktops, laptops, and notebook computers are PCs.

Plotter
A large printer used to print blueprints. These output devices support vector graphics, unlike dot matrix and laser printers.

Post Processor
A software link in the CAD/CAM chain that communicates instructions from CAM to a CNC machine

Preliminary Blueprint
A design representing the rough dimensions of a specific part

Primitives or Primitive
Basic shapes such as cubes, spheres, cylinders, blocks, and cones that are combined in solid modeling to create a model of a part.

Prototype
The original test model of a part

Raster Image
A form of graphics in which closely spaced rows of dots form an image on a computer screen. Also known as bit-mapped graphics.

Ramping
The process of controlling the pulse frequency to accelerate or decelerate a stepper motor. Ramping increases the ability to drive larger loads at greater speeds by slowing the first series of pulses allowing the motor to overcome inertial loads and reduces overshooting by slowing the motor down more gradually than an unramped motor.

Scanner
A computer device that converts hard copy drawings into digital form

Software
The coded instructions, formulas, and operations that structure the actions of a computer

Solid Modeling
A type of geometric modeling based on solids in which all visible surfaces of a part are shown. In addition, solid modeling describes interior volume, mass, and weight.

Sub-Program
Acting as a part programming shortcut, a part program sequence that is called on as needed. Also called a subroutine.

Surface Modeling
A type of geometric modeling based on geometry only, in which all visible surfaces of a part are shown regardless of volume definition.

Step Angle
The angular increment the motor shaft will turn each time the windings (coils) are energized. The angle is specified in degrees. For a 200 step per revolution motor the step angle will be 1.8 degrees.

Step per revolution
The total number of steps to rotate the motor shaft 360 degrees. For CNC, 200 or 400 steps per revolution are usually used.

Stepper motor
A device that translates electrical pulses into precise mechanical movement. The output shaft may deliver rotary or linear motion.

Title Block
A portion of a blueprint that contains information such as the company name, part name, part number, designer, scale, and material.

Tolerance
A blueprint specification indicating an unwanted but acceptable deviation from a given dimension

Toolpath
The series of coordinate positions that determine the movement of a tool during a machining operation.

Translator
An electronic device that converts pulses into the correct switching sequence, which will operate the motor one step for each pulse received.

Unipolar
A bifilar wound motor. The current flows only in one direction through each winding. Normally there are two winding per bobbin and eight bobbins per motor. Usually is a 5, 6 or eight wire motor. One or more common leads are used per winding. Has less torque than a bipolar stepper motor but is simpler to drive. Bipolar stepper motor- just two windings. The electronic controls reverse the current alternately between the coils. This motor has more torque but requires more electronic controls.

Vector Graphics
A form of graphics that uses geometric formulas to represent images. Vector graphic images are more easily manipulated than raster graphics when dealing with CNC.

Wire Frame Modeling
A type of geometric modeling in which the edges of a part are represented by solid lines

Working Drawing
A drawing of a part providing data for manufacturing

X-Axis
An axis that is left or right. All movement left of a zero point is minus (-X), all movement right of the zero point is plus (+X).

Y-axis
An axis that is at right angles to the X-axis and intersect the zero point of the X-axis. All movement further away from the zero point is plus (+Y). All movement closer than the zero point is minus (-Y).

Z-axis
An axis that is vertically perpendicular to the X-Y zero point. All movement above the zero point is positive (+Z) while all movement below the zero point is (-Z).