CNC Torch Table 2/Research Development

Status

This is Dan Benamy's understanding as of Oct 2013:

There have been various ambitious projects over the past few years to do amazing things with the torch table. Unfortunately none of them seem to have reached the finish line (including integration with all the other work).

For the short term Dan plans to get the version 2 table up and running ASAP with the RAMPS system so we can get something working and build momentum. Then we can quickly iterate to incorporate better modules such as the Steppernug, CoolDRV, or CoolRAMPS which will allow us to cut faster, sensors for more reliable operation, fuel control for more efficient fuel usage, etc.

Generally, Dan's strategy is to make lots of quick iterations with self-contained improvements so we almost always have a working table and project handoff is simpler. I'm also focusing on getting something working at FeF that we can use to cut parts we need for other machines, rather than something that's easily reproducible or perfectly documented. I'm trading off reproducibility and user friendly docs for getting it working for two reasons: 1- being able to cut Warehouse parts will save lots of time and money on all other development. 2- it will also be a waste of effort to carefully document stuff that turns out not to work well. Once we get to the point where we can cut useful stuff, I (or you!) will need to make any changes needed for ease of reproduction, and create awesome manufacturing guides so others can copy it.

Lots of info on the control systems at CNC Torch Table 2/Control Overview.

Next Steps

• Run a simple test gcode program- https://github.com/grbl/grbl/wiki/G-Code-Examples.
• Draw a rectangle in librecad, run it through dxf2gcode and use Printrun to stream it to the arduino. Get the table to draw the rectangle.

Then I'd do incremental improvements, keeping the table working after each step so if I had to leave or something didn't work, it'd be easy to revert to the most recent working stuff. Steps until we could use the table to actually make parts for fabricating other machines:

• Add a circle to the dxf that's not touching the rectangle. Re-run and make sure the head lifts up between the shapes.
• Add gcode postprocessing if still needed for piercing and torch width. The "torch" should move back and forth while making an initial "pierce". For the circle, I think it should make the pieces inside the circle. I'm not sure if it should pierce the rectangle inside or on one edge. We want it to make the pierce in a part of the metal we won't use. I wonder how the piercing code knows what that is... There's a conversation here about integrating this functionality into dxf2gcode which would be great for ease of use and gives us a gui where maybe we could click where we want the pierce to be.
• Try it with the real torch!!! For future steps, I'd switch back to the sharpie for testing and only use the torch once things look good.

If we're lucky, this gets us to milestone 1 - can cut useful warehouse plates.

Tasks for milestone 2 and beyond are in github (link below).

Developement Board

edit

Resources

• Issue Tracker- https://github.com/OSE/CNC-Torch-Table-OSE/issues
• 3d models
  • Github (solidworks 3d models and issues) - https://github.com/OSE/CNC-Torch-Table-OSE. Use this for new development
  • This was originally developed at an old repo and we forked it into the OSE org. Do not use the old repo.
  • [1] - Sketchup files - I don't know if there are conversions of the solidworks files in github or something else.
• 2d drawings- [2] - DXFs of motor mounts

Design

Lots of information about the control system in CNC Torch Table 2/Control Overview.

Additional discussion at TorchTableModularTooling

Additional Notes

• As a large x-y-z coordinate table, the Torch Table has potential applications with other tooling besides a cutting torch. One limitation is that the drive system is not powerful enough or stiff enough to support heavy cutting-tool forces.