It has made the first cuts - Caussens, France

[Pierre GRAND]

hello every one. I was a french architect on the point to buy the new PRS Shopbot tool when Paco, a real nice french canadian shopbot user, has sent to me your link just before making a big loan at my bank !.I'm impressed to see it's possible to make my own CNC myself trought your greats plans !! . I was looking for other french people or french language user interested in starting the build process of the Mechmate tool.Bye.(Sorry for my english).

[Paco]

Bonjour Pierre!

L'étincelles à jaillit!? Si je peux t'aider à la traduction d'éléments spécifique, laisse-moi savoir.
J'ai moi-même un oeil sur le concept de Gerald ainsi que sur toute l'information partagé par les participants du forum.

----------translation----------
Hi Pierre!

Spark spouts out!? If I can help you with some translation of specific elements, let me know.
I am, myself, having an eye at Gerald's design and all the forum participants information sharing on the forum.

[Pierre GRAND]

Merci encore une fois Paco !. Peu de francophones sur ces forums...c'est dommage !Concernant le projet de la mechmate j'ai quand même un doute sur ma capacité à réaliser la partie electronique. Penses tu que cela est accessible pour un débutant?. La partie mécanique est comprehensible.
Voici le site web d'un ingenieur français qui a concu sa propre CNC grands formats avec de bonnes idées (comparatif avec shopbot).Je vais me mettre en contact avec lui et lui présenter le projet Mechmate.
http://cncloisirs.com/Machines/Beno%eetDesbrus
Merci. A+.

[fabrica]

Pierre, The website given in your earlier mail looks very interesting but unfortunatly it is only in French. Do you know where we could find a English translation.

[Paco]

Fabrica,

try Google translate; might not be 100% readable though but may help figure the basic content (http://www.google.ca/language_tools?hl=en).

[Pierre GRAND]

Paco,

Comprends tu l'astuce de Benoit Desbrus concernant la position de la glissiere par rapport au moteur sur la page web http://cncloisirs.com/Machines/Beno%eetDesbrus ?
Il trouve cette solution plus interessante que sur une Shopbot.J'aimerai en faire profiter Mechmate en Anglais si tu penses que cela est interressant.

[fabrica]

Thanks Paco, I will try it.

[Paco]

Pierre,

je n'aime pas le principe d'exposer le crémaillère de cette façon. De plus, si j'entrainerais le X de cette façon, le placerais le moteur au centre pour distribuer la torsion de l'arbre... par contre ce dernier système est intéressant, mais je le préfère dessous plutôt que dessus. Je sais, ça complique les choses mais ça protège les crémaillères.

Je partage son point de vue sur la torsion du support de moteur lorsque poussé/tiré par un ressort. Par contre son système me semble ""trop"" complexe. Sur ma machine, j'ai ajusté le positionnement du moteur de façon à compenser ce problème.

[Paco]

Pierre,
tu peux considérer des solutions déjà prêtes; Ascesnsion 1000 (http://www.custom-cnc.com/) et Mach3 enclosure (http://www.campbelldesigns.com/enclosure.php), ShopBot aussi peut te vendre un kit moteurs, contrôle et logiciel seulement(en deux versions)... et il y en a d'autre; cherche avec le mot clé RETROFIT, CNC CONTROL ou encore # AXIS CONTROL...

[Gerald_D]

Right at the top of this thread is a link to Google's english translation. Subsequent links out of that page are also translated.

I had a good laugh when the "Add Your Message Here" becomes "Add Your Message Young stag"

[Paco]

Hey! Google translate me pretty well!

http://www.mechmate.com/Forum/clipart/proud.gif

[Pierre GRAND]

Paco,
thanks for your infos concerning electronics parts but i think i'm going to use this french CNC controller card provider. The web site is in french/English language for people interested. On other french CNC forum they say the quality and speed of cards are excellent : www.techlf.com (http://www.techlf.com/)
Bye

[Normand Blais]

Bonjour Pierre tu est à la bonne place pour ton cnc. On dis un cnc ou une cnc? J'avais toujour pensé un Mechmate.Merci pour les lien , c'était la premiere fois que je voyais en francais Hey Paco queceque tu fais ici ? tu vas te faire barrer de l'autre site ;). Vas tu construire un ou une Mechmate? est tu content avec ton alpha?

[Pierre GRAND]

bonjour Normand !!.(avec du retard).
Je viens juste de démarrer la réalisation de la mechmate : j'ai commandé le charriot (decoupage laser) chez Kim Mortensen, en Norvege trouvé sur le forum. J'ai pris contact avec mon ferronier local pour la réalisation de la table. Pour la partie electronique, je vais utiliser les composants de chez techlf.com.Plus de photos dès le demarrage.
Je vais essayer de trouver sur le forum l'adresse d'un revendeur pour commander l'ensemble des petits composants : cremaillere, porte cable....

[Pierre GRAND]

Hello,

i have received my two orders last week :

- Order from Kim Mortensen for the laser cut parts.
- Order from Superior Bearing company.
The two buyers are greats !. No problems at all trought paypal.

I have bought all the parts concerning the table (dimensions : 2800mmx2070mm for french max wood boards)I will send to you some pictures next week.

I'm quite nervous when i see the detailed pictures of the electronic box !: i'am not an electronic professional guy !But i'am lucky to have close to my town this new internationnal company, provider of electronic cards and engines for CNC tools (website french and english) : www.techlf.com/ (http://www.techlf.com/)

Thank you Gerald for all your work !.

I had now a translation in french (excel listing) of all the Gerald drawings from french mechanical engeneer and the listing of all the parts with dimensions.

Bye
Pierre GRAND, architect in France.

[grandpi]

Hello Gerald and Paco,

I have finished the steel frame :D... a big step accomplished for my 2800mmx2070mm real cutting area mechmate (french mdf boards dimensions !). i'm working on the Z axis at the moment : i will finish it at the end of the week. I need to order the gazlift...i have read the Gerald precisions article to choose the right one...at www.airax.com/ in France.

22

What make me nervous at the moment :

1) The choice of a motor with or without a geared box (the price is really not the same !!)???Is there a big precision cut difference ???:confused:

Thanks. Pierre.

[Gerald D]

A very nice piece of work!

Is there a big precision cut difference ???
Not as big as the difference in price!!!

You can always start with non-geared motors and change later if necessary. That is what we did, but so far it has not been necessary (for us) to add gearboxes.

[paco]

Look very good Pierre! Keep us post.

[joecnc2006]

A very nice piece of work!


Not as big as the difference in price!!!

You can always start with non-geared motors and change later if necessary. That is what we did, but so far it has not been necessary (for us) to add gearboxes.

what is the pitch you use now? rack and pinon

[Gerald D]

Our effective pinion diameter is 24mm (metric M1 Z24). Directly driven, that is 2000 pulses per 24 X Pi mm = 26.5 pulses/mm [673 pulses/inch]

[grandpi]

Hello everyone, Hello Gerald,

I 've just finished yesterday the mechmate frame details and finished the z axis.:) Everything is ok to go on the next step : electronic and wiring management (done by a company with Techlf components).
The way all z components work together along the vertical axis is very impressive !! (motor, rack and pinions, the gaslift and the string). Just one questions for Gerald :

- Is it possible to put industrial wheels (with stops) under mechmate feets to move it in a small area (my workshop 4mx12m)??? Maybe problems of stability during the cutting ???

Thank you. photos in few days maybe with paint...in dark grey(old steel paint i have in stock...sorry for the blue).

Bye,

Pierre.

[Gerald D]

The wheels will be okay - they will not affect cut quality.

[grandpi]

Hello everyone,

My Mechmate has been move in my future office/workshop (whithout walls for the moment !) so i had to paint it quickly. I will install the electronic in november .... i hope if my job let me the time ... The wheels have been welded on a steel plate and welded on the main frame... it is very practical.

More photos and comments in 2 weeks with my RDV at Techlf Company, near Toulouse with Laurent Fouga.

Bye,

Pierre.

511

512

513

[grandpi]

I would like to add to my last message the wheels company i have used : Blicklé, german company at www.blickle.de.

and few words concerning the TECHLF quotation : See the web site to have parts details ...

- only 3 motors inside the quotation because i have ordered one before to check the mechanic.
- one Elte, professional spindle include ( the smallest of the company).
- the electronix box include .

When you received the ready made box, install the motors on the mechmate and turn on the power button ! . That's all i was ready to do concerning electronic. After spending a lot of time and (quite money) making the frame, i wanted to be sure the electronic parts works correctly and wanted to have quickly someone to call if not. The price is very correct to my point of view... compare to other all in one package...


Bye,
Pierre.

[driller]

AWEsome and well done !

I am impressed and excited by your accomplishment.


Dave

[gmessler]

Looks good Pierre!

Keep us posted on your progress.

[Gerald D]

Are you building this for the military? :)

[Belli]

Bonsoir Pierre et tous les autres,

Si vous avez des questions sur CNC et MACH, vous pouvez les adresser à CNCDirect, nous vous répondrons en français. Egalement nous serons ravis d'aider les francophones du Forum pour toutes questions.

Greg

[grandpi]

"painted kaki green",? ....the color is an industrial grey...and my thought are very far from French army...:p

Merci CNCdirect pour l'adresse de votre boutique et votre aide en français !!
Je ne manquerai pas de la communiquer à d'autres français ....
Placer vous sur la market place sur le site Mechmate ave un mot en français!.

Bye,

Pierre.

[Gerald D]

The trees in the top photo must be reflecting off the fresh paint :)
Sorry about the army - I had to serve in the navy and there we knew what grey paint really looked like.

[grandpi]

hello guys, hello Gerald,

This is my control box from Techlf + Elte 1,1kw spindle(TMPE2 9/2 TWIN SHAFT Series) :). : http://www.eltesrl.com/
I have met Laurent last friday at his workshop close to Carcassone who gave me a quick explanation concerning his own software, isa4D. A future version of isa4d in few month could be use on touchscreens computers ... with only big colored buttons for beginners as me.(no menus).

I see the motors turning !. It works.

First problem coming back at home making a test of the spindle on the z-axis plate :confused:: :The four axis holes of the Elte spindle body make a rectangle of 22mmx110mm to hold it. Have you got any ideas to hold it on the gauge plate ?? New holes ? Do i need a mounting bracket ??
Thank you.Pierre.

[grandpi]

The photo...

[IN-WondeR]

How much did the elte spindle cost you.???

[Gerald D]

Congratulations on getting the motors turning! :)

Drill holes right through the gauge plate and the 50x25 tube and put long screws from the back . . . . through the tube and through the gauge plate. Screws about 40mm long.

Check very carefully when putting the screws into the spindle - if they are too long they can make serious damage to the spindle.

[grandpi]

The Elte Spindle + VFD : 980 Euros without taxes trought Techlf Company.
You have a complete PDF board of my order concerning electronic parts few lines below.


Thanks Gerald for your answer.

Bye,

Pierre.

[Gerald D]

The holes that I show on the drawing, 30mm from side-to-side, are correct for Fimec & HSD spindles. I did not think that other Italian companies use a different spacing.

How does the air flow through your control box? I do not see a filter on the fan?

[grandpi]

In fact Gerald, i confirm the 22mm x 110mm axis dimensions holes ... It is because my spindle is the "low power" of the Eltec range. Others have 30mm between holes...said Laurent Fouga.Damned !!

Bye.

[Gerald D]

The screw holes at 22mm is no problem, just a little more work.

Did you see my question about the fan/filter?

[grandpi]

Gerald,

In his standard control box Laurent has just putting in place one fan to pull out hot air.
Do you think isn't enought ? I need a filter ?
It's true there is no fresh air entry !.

Bye,

Pierre.

[Gerald D]

I am sorry to tell you this Pierre, but that is a very bad design. If you have hot air in a bottle, can you put your mouth over the one opening hole and suck out the hot air? Of course not. You need 2 holes if you want the air to move. While you suck out air, other air must enter to replace it.

Laurent might just add a second hole. . . . . . but then all the dust from the room comes in as well. (If you don't add the second hole, the dust comes in arround the switches/connectors/joints because you have a vacuum in the box.) A filter on the second hole still leaves a vacuum in the box when the filter gets dirty.

The fan must be turned over so that it blows into the box and creates a positive pressure. There must be a filter over the fan (on the outside). And there must be an exhaust hole.

[grandpi]

Gerald,

Thank you for your explanation...
Ask to laurent (not a touchy guy i hope :D) to answer you on my page.

Pierre.

[Gerald D]

If Laurent is coming to visit us, I would also like to ask if he has good experience with the spindle's VFD controller inside the control box? Our experience is that they make electrical noise unless you have some special precautions.

[TECHLF]

I gerald,

we have a hole with a filter on the bottom right side of the box, not drilled on this box ,we forget it !:(
For the VFD, we use no special precautions, exept for wiring, and 2 filtres on the 220V to reduce the noise. The digital ground and the earth are separeted. USB is not affected by the noise.

Laurent

[Gerald D]

Hi Laurent. Okay, we all make mistakes. :(

I forgot you are using USB and not Parallel (saw the USB cable, but thought that was for 5V supply). If the USB is okay with that VFD being right inside the box, then that is another reason we must move away from the parallel port system in the future.

[grandpi]

hello Gerald, Hello Guys,

Just have finished the Mechmate "building"during christmas (16mx4,5m with sygma design galvanized steel plates system). It will become my office too !!... I had some problems on the mechmate because it slept outdoor :( :

- Rollers full of rust : need to sandpaper
- Rails too : utilisation of Dremel tools.
- Solve problem with new spindle holes on the gauge plate : standard ones doesn't work.
- Finally, i have made the choice of using the Mamba cable chain solution ( 2 cables chain).

A lot of work to make it beautiful again.
I feel it the last step... just few weeks before the blue "grey" beast wake up!.

Bye,

Pierre.

[Gerald D]

Ah, I see it also has the parking for Gaspard's car. :)

[grandpi]

Hello Gerald, Hello Guys,

Todays was the first steps (moves not cuts) of my mechmate !!.
Z moves ok, Y too. But on XX' the two motors went on opposite way !! so the mechmate went out of his rails !!. Wiring problems i suppose ?. I will have an answer from Laurent from Techlf during the week.
The interface of the new version of Isa4d (V2.1) is very cool.... Have a look.
Photos and videos during the weeks ...

Bye,

Pierre.

[smreish]

Great news!
you should be able to reverse the direction of the x motors in your software and not have to rewire. I know this is the case with Mach. Congratulations on your first move!

[Greg J]

Pierre,

Congrats. Looking forward to the pictures. :)

[Doug_Ford]

ALRIGHT Buddy!!! That's great.

[Gerald D]

To change the direction of a motor, the easiest is to reverse ONE coil. (Do not reverse both coils). For your drive, you can swop EITHER the red & blue (terminals 1 and 2), OR you can swop the black & green (terminals 3 and 4).

988

I prefer to change it in the hard-wiring. Sometimes a software upgrade does not catch all the old settings.

[grandpi]

Thank you for your advice Gerald.
Thank you all for your comments !!:):):)

Pierre.

[grandpi]

This is the first steps ....
I realize there is a lot of work now to make it work well before cutting .... construction was the easy step !!.(Important information for beginners as me).

Gerald,

I'm going to need help to find the right speed/right resolution/ etc ....from isa4d menu. I will post questions in fews days.

Bye,

Pierre

Video is in dailymotion website, "grandpivideo" in search tool.

This link seems to work:
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/grandpivideo/video/x4j4ix_mechmate-1_tech

[Gerald D]

Good to see movement in France! :)

[grandpi]

Just want to precise, in my last reply : " construction was the easy step" because of the greats plans and solutions of Gerald of course. !!!:p
Pierre.

[smreish]

Pierre,
Truly great work! She seems to move nicely. You seem to get VERY good speed out of those drives - jogs are very quick. Bravo.

[Greg J]

Pierre,

That's great!! You might be cutting wood before me. :)

I finally figured out posting photo's, now video. This MM project is sure pushing my limits further. :)

[grandpi]

Thank's for all your comments...

I would like to share this info concerning a nice new material for cnc cutting, the Maplex : " ...A beautiful sustainable alternative to wood, composites, metal and plastics, Maplex is both strong and bendable, making it an ideal material for interiors, furniture and consumer products. It consists of 100 percent natural, unbleached wood fibres sourced from sustainably managed forests and is manufactured using nothing but water, pressure and heat.
There are two types of Maplex:
Use Maplex C (contour) for maximum bending and forming. Use Maplex P (performance) for maximum stability and strength. This material has twice the bending strength and tensile strength of birch plywood.
Maplex is manufactured in a range of thicknesses from approximately 1mm to 8mm. The manufactured sheet size is approximately 1.6m x 3.15m.
The 1mm board can be laser-cut with fantastically clean, precise results and also works perfectly using hand or machine tools. It is the perfect medium for general purpose modelling, lightweight constructional work or 'wood engineering'. The material is uncoated but may be finished using your choice of paints, stains, varnishes, waxes or veneers.
1mm Maplex P - sheet size 500mm x 750mm.
(The sheet is supplied rough sawn but oversized)...."

At this moment their website is not working (yersterday it was ok : http://www.maplexmaterial.com/) but you can see it at :

- www.mutr.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1422
- www.weidmann-creative.com/downloads/maplex_general_guidelines.pdf

Tell me what you think about it, i dream of cutting it with the Mechmate.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Bye,

Pierre.

[sailfl]

Pierre,

I called the 800 number in the USA and found out that the company in the USA has had to stop manufacturing the product because the other line they manufacture requires the full use of the board machine that makes the Maplex. I was told that their parent company in Switzerland is adding a machine for production outside of USA.

It is too bad because it looks like a nice product for CNC work.

Thanks for information.

[Doug_Ford]

Congrats Pierre. Looking good partner.

[grandpi]

Thanks Doug.

Concerning the Maplex, (the very nice cnc product!) is like you're searching for the Graal ....:confused:

I have phone to Weidmann France and to Swiss : they don't know the product. The answer of the us provider : "....Thank you for your inquiry. Due to unprecedented demand for electrical products and worldwide shortage of the pressboard, Weidmann Electrical Technology is indefinitely suspending the manufacture of its Maplex product line.
We sincerely regret the inconvenience it may cause you.

Irene Goncharenko, Product Manager
irene.goncharenko@wicor.com ...."

I'm waiting news from french technical director of Weidmann France.

Bye,

Pierre

[sailfl]

Pierre,

It seems that the company has decided that their first product line is more important so they are going to stop production completely on the Maplex. Maplex looks like it is an excellent product. We can only hope that they add more capabiltiy.

[grandpi]

Gerald,

As newbie, I realize a (big) problem on my machine. I used to use a 15 daN gaslift (thinking buying bigger spindle in few times !!) to balance 8,3 daN of my actual Z axis Mechmate. The result (!!):confused: : 4 motors who ran bad (not fantastic) in 3 axis because of the max power asked by the Z axis (During x axis or y axis movements, the spindle at the bottom point raise up because of the lake of power of the Z motor) )!!!.

As beginner, I didn't realize yet the four motors didn't run separatly and shared the global power of the electronic card. I need to order a new 9 daN gaslift now.

Is it correct ???

Bye,

Pierre.

[Gerald D]

Pierre, the first people to speak to are TechLF because they designed and supplied your control box.

Yes, it is important that the gaslift is the correct value. But it should not have an effect on all 4 motors.

[grandpi]

I just would like to share this product reference to treat/quality improve Mechmate workshop air.
The price is quite low ....
My new gaslift works fine now ... Wait for Laurent Fouga (Techlf) visit next week ....

Pierre.

Ref : http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=160205583077&_trksid=p3984.cWAT.m240.lVI
or
ref : http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270220934745&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX_Stores&refitem=160205583077&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget&_trksid=p284.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D 4%26ps%3D42

[Gerald D]

I hear a little news that the Techlf visit went well and that wood was cut today. Of course we need the pictures :)

[grandpi]

Hi all, Hi Gerald,


This the first carving of my machine. Laurent had to do some changes on his software Isa4d because of the mechmate resolution which is a not an integer number (rack module 1). On the big machines he sell, he always have integer numbers resolution. So on next monday, everything will be ok. He was surprise by the 1/10ème precision of the Mechmate (me too !!). This test, A letter on vcarve, was just to test the repetability of the machine to "stay" in the same path ... I was a bit anxious concerning the smooth of the curve lines with direct drive motors but finally it was very good : thank you Vcarve !! ( so why use the expansive geared motors in the low cost process construction of the Mechmate ?) Next week will be the real beginning of my production. Photos will follow quickly .... Laurent want to push the machine on his limit and show that his electronic is the best (joke).... so some videos will come too.

Bye,

Pierre.

[sailfl]

Pierre,

Congratulations. Looks like excellent cutting.

[Doug_Ford]

Looking great Pierre. Feels good doesn't it?

[javeria]

Congrats Pierre,

Hope to see good videos on youtube!

Congratulations once again!

RGDS
irfan

[Hugo Carradini]

Hello Pierre.
Welcome to the new cutters club:):eek::confused::confused::):)
You are going to be surprised with the capacities of the beast.
Enjoy

[grandpi]

Hello all, Hello Gerald.
Thank you for your comments.

After severals cuts, precision is there even after severals passage on the same path , dimensions are very good from vcarve to Mechmate, but a (big) problem is still there : On a 90cm mdf board lenght, for a drawing with 10mm deep, i have 4mm on the left of the board, no dig in the middle, 2 mm on the right of the board !!(exemple). In fact a big problem of table level or sacrifice board, i suppose.
Do you think i have to put in place a system of feet with a possibility to go up/dowm to find the right level of the Mechmate or do i need to make a complete level routing of the sacrifice table ?

Thanks,

Pierre.

[Gerald D]

Do you think i have to put in place a system of feet with a possibility to go up/dowm to find the right level of the Mechmate or do i need to make a complete level routing of the sacrifice table ?

The standard procedure is to do a complete level routing of the whole sacrificial table. This is called "surfacing" the table, or to "surface" the table.

Off course, first check and see if you can find a reason for the 4mm difference. It might have been caused by welding, or differences in dimensions of your X-beams, or your rollers not riding correctly on the rails.

Check that the rails are straight and that the rollers run correctly, then surface the table and forget about the 4mm :)

[domino11]

Pierre,
I believe if you have not leveled your sacrificial board, you must do this to ensure it is flat to the gantry. This might solve your height problem. :)

Gee I see Gerald has beat me to a more elaborate answer. :eek:

[Gerald D]

Where are the guys who think the steelwork under the table is too heavy? They should be reading here! :)

Our one table catches winter sun through the window in the morning and that moves the table up almost by 1mm as the wood/MDF expands on top of the steel cross-bearers. But a person can walk on the table and it goes down by less than that.

[grandpi]

Gerald,

The Mechmate is fantastic after severals cuts and finally, after 3 weeks of difficulties, so easy to use!. Laurent has finished a special "Mechmate version" of isa4d to solve differents problems (he has taken off automatic Z level alert function for more precise machine for exemple to allow us to go throught the sacrifice board !!)). Everything works fine now... I have already jobs with customers i have as supervizor architect : some furnitures inside the project which take month to be finish with local wood craftmen delay ... First euros in few times ... Amazing !.

Thanks, Gerald.

Pierre.

[Hugo Carradini]

Score. Another happy fellow. :):):):):)

[grandpi]

Hi everybody, Hi Gerald,

This is my first "business" object i'm going to propose to customer this weekend.... It is a abstract frame drawing who are going to be put in place around a interior wall square opening (8mm MDF).
It is nice now to talk of Mechmate built realisations and possibilities... and let technical problems away for a moment. Maybe a special section in your web site Gerald ?
The only problem i have to solve now, it is the positionning of the vcarve file precisely where i want on the mdf panels, to maximize the wood panel dimensions and not to loose too much material ...

At the moment, i have to stop the Mechmate, waiting for my air treating system : the "powder milk" dust of MDF cut has filled all my workshop and my lungs ask me to stop !.

I would like to thanks Paco too who makes me knowing the Mechmate forum, one year ago now ....

Bye,

Pierre.

1177 1178

[Robert M]

Félicitation Pierre, :D
Heureux de voir et savoir que le bonheur est arrivé !!
Best of luck with the future.
Amicalement, Robert

[DMS]

Great Job, fascinating. Goodluck

[grandpi]

Hello everyone, Hello Gerald,

Work quite a lot this summer with my Mechmate for customers (always think in my head 1,1hp is not enought for pro....!!)

In july, with Laurent we have added limit switches (x,y,z) + zero plate : what change !!!. The job is now nearly automatic ....I have sent a video on dailymotion : From origin to tool changing point then to zero plate then to origin and start the job without keyboard ! :
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6hiz0_mechmate-limit-switches_tech

Laurent has added too in the software a delay to heat the spindle before starting a session ...Important.

I finally decide not to be involved in building frame for other ... enought job for me as woodguy : i have contacted the French architect Association to present the Mechmate. I wait for their answer ...

Gerald, hope you will keep for me a number under ten for the first European Mechmate !

Bye,

Pierre.

[Robert M]

Bonjour Pierre,

Félicitation !! :D
Thanks for sharing you video & updates. Wishing you all the best with this architect association, hope they will give you some contracts??
Amicalement, Robert ;)

[paco]

I wish I had this room on the side of the machining area on my SB. I could fit the fix Z-plate like you did. I had one some time ago but it was in the way.

Man that tool look fast on the rapids!? What's the control box/control software combo again?

Nice work Pierre!

[sailfl]

Pierre,

Congratulations and finishing your machine.

I hope that I am not too far behind you.

[grandpi]

Paco,

I have a Techlf control box + proprietary control software : Isa4D. : http://www.techlf.com/isa4d.php3
Control box : http://www.techlf.com/boitier1500w_fr.php3

Bye,

Pierre.

[grandpi]

Just few words i have forgotten to tell to Gerald and friends : Laurent (electronic ingeneer) come to home to check the Mechmate precision (with laugh in mind thinking of the teeth/rack transmission and ideas from high-end cnc cutter builder he is :p:p:p). Conclusion on two points with professionnal checking precision tool :

- Repetability (ycar who come back on his origin position several time) : precision 1/100ème mm !! each time.:eek::eek:
- Cut precision : 1/10ème mm.:eek:

Who could say the Mechmate isn't precise ... Since this night, Laurent has started his project of plasma cutter ... with racks and pinions and maybe with some Mechmate details ....;)


Bye,

Pierre.

PS : Happy birthday Gerald with few weeks late !

[grandpi]

I will pay some $$$(Paypal) if someone could send me Mechmate stickers + shipping : I have no one around to do the job !.

Thanks,

Pierre.

[liaoh75]

Hi Pierre,

I am in Taiwan and have sign shops all over the place. I'd be happy to make a set for you as I'm going to be making a set as well. If you can tell me what height you want for each item, main beam, gantry, and y-car and quantity of each, I can get the vinyl letters made ready to apply.

I really like your setup; especially the limit on your Gantry. Does it act as your stop as well?

[William McGuire]

Congratulations on your fine work, Pierre...

Bill

[Gerald D]

Thanks for the birthday greetings Pierre. :)

[jnbatisse]

Merci pour ce post pierre, en effet je compte réaliser cette machine, mais mes connaissances en anglais laissants un peu à désirer, je commencais à desesperer.

J'ai vu dans un post un peu plus haut que vous aviez passé commande en norvege concernant certaine pieces, pourriez vous m'en dire un peu plus à ce sujet s'il vous plait, pour le chassis j'ai moi aussi contacté un ferronier (dans ma rue en plus, c'est plus simple), je dois le rencontrer avec les plans dés que j'aurais un peu dégrossi tout ça.

[Robert M]

Bonjour jnbatisse ?
Un prénom ??
Bref… Si je peux t’apporter de l’aide, ne te gêne pas de me demander !
Au plaisir & bonne chance, Robert ;)

[jnbatisse]

en fait mon prenom c'est jean-noêl, et mon batisse, d'où jnbatisse.
Oui, tu peux m'aider, je compte débuter la construction, mais je ne sais pas trop par quel bout commencer, donc si tu peux m'expliquer un peu la façon dont tu t'y es pris, ça serait sympa.

meri et a+

[grandpi]

Hello Gerald, Hello friends,

I just would like to present my new web site concerning my Mechmate use in France (with some new furnitures drawings) and a blog concerning :

- Home manufacturing
- Social engeneering (like the Mechmate Network).
- DIY knowledge network.

"Social Engeneering" is a concept of Neil Gershenfeld, MIT Professor who have created the Fab Lab and make a CNC(shopbot)on wheels to run across the US .
See post below in this thread ((http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_fab_lab))

My web adress : www.ecomanufacture.fr (with automatic translation !).

Regards,

Pierre.

[jnbatisse]

bravo

[silverdog]

hello Gerald, Hello Guys,

Just have finished the Mechmate "building"during christmas (16mx4,5m with sygma design galvanized steel plates system). It will become my office too !!
Pierre.

Salut Pierre,
I'm very interessed in your "sygma design" solution, but cannot find any reference on the net, could you help me with some informations?
Thanks
Sergio

[grandpi]

Bonjour Sergio,

La solution type poteaux/poutres profil sygma (tole pliée en forme de Sygma) est la plus economique.Present en France.
Voir entreprise Jory sur le net. Ils réalisent des kits sur mesure à monter soi même.
Voir :http://www.joriside.be/fr-BE/Produits/Profils-galvanisés/Profils-Sigma/Sigma%20profile.aspx

A+,

Pierre.

[silverdog]

Merçi beaucoup Pierre !
It looks like a very interessing economic and easy solution.
I need some more space to store the Mechmate or the wood to cut.
Ciao