camsoft for cnc sinker edm

[sped1111]

I was just on camsoft's website and it mentioned it had software for cnc sinker edm. I'm in the process of building a cnc sinker edm and am at the point of looking for software for the controller aspect of the project. Just looking for some feedback on their software pertaining to edm.

[Al_The_Man]

What method were you thinking of using to monitor arc voltage for feedback control? Or is this something you are looking to Camsoft for an answer?
Al.

[camsoft]

We can offer an overview of sinker EDM ability.

We do support sinker EDMs. It's a small market but we do have files from dealers we have supported in the past.

The sinker EDM process is much different than wire EDM or any other type of machine we do.

Here are a few of the unique routines you'll need as an overview

[[Spark Gap]]
' This routine monitors an analog voltage
' It is recommended that this logic is copied into the TIMER.FIL file
' Reset user define voltage tolerance to your needs
' Volts to percentage of slow down (math) needs to be changed per machine
' Voltage is must be -10 to +10 vdc
' This routine adjust the FEED variable to over ride wire travel feedrate


[[Voltage monitoring]]
' Take action here based on the value of the voltage


[[Oscillation]]
' Oscillated and orbiting motion choices
' Type of Oscillation 0=Disabled 1=Up Down 2= side to side 3=square 4=orbit

Tech Support
CamSoft Corp.
(951) 674-8100
support@camsoftcorp.com
www.cnccontrols.com

[Karl_T]

Originally Posted by sped1111 I was just on camsoft's website and it mentioned it had software for cnc sinker edm. I'm in the process of building a cnc sinker edm and am at the point of looking for software for the controller aspect of the project. Just looking for some feedback on their software pertaining to edm.

If you're building your own from scratch, are you aware of:

http://www.seanet.com/~dmauch/
<clip of text from this site>
SINK ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING.

Plans for this beatifully done Computer Controlled SEDM machine are now available. The plans are the best I have seen to date. Camtronics is delighted to be the distributor of these plans. The manual contains 80 pages of drawings, pictures, theory, and instructions on building a Computer Controlled S-EDM. Check out the pictures in the image section of this web page.


I'm a big fan of Camsoft, and I own a sinker EDM. But I don't think I'd combine them unless you need to CNC the table.

Karl

[camsoft]

We should of mentioned to all that we do offer a Non-CNC version for factory Automation projects that includes a Sinker EDM CBK for only $495 below the cost our higher end CNC versions. It will support up to 8 axes, analog in/out and 344 I/O. A Sinker EDM would be a prefect example.

Other non-CNC application examples would be:

Pick and place
Cut to Length
Robotics
Fabric Sewing or Stitching
Specialty machines
Welders, Grinders
Vision systems
XYZ tables
Circuit board cutting
Drilling machines
Assembly automation

Non-CNC general automation software > www.cnccontrols.com/graphicaloi.asp

Tech Support
CamSoft Corp.
951-674-8100
support@camsoftcorp.com

[Mcgyver]

Karl for a second there i thought you were calling the plans beautiful, then i realized it was a quote. have you seen the plans? I haven't but when I followed the link on the wire edm plans they are selling and see a photo of a wire edm employing what looks like drawer slides in its construction, I have not choice but to conclude beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.

Robert Langois had an serial article years ago on building a sinker, i believe its now available as a book, but its not cnc.

i'm curious, does the cnc aspect mean that there's an x/y table under the electrode?

[Karl_T]

I haven't seen the plans. This sort a project doesn't have my interest, so I've never looked. IMHO, buy a used industrial unit in need of a little TLC. Older EDMs don't bring much money.

AFAIK, all EDMs have an X-Y table so you can locate the part right under the electrode. The CNC machines have things like oscillate vibrate orbit, etc. I don't know if this is done with table motion or quill motion. You may need these features if you're burning mold inserts to a few tenths accuracy, otherwise they are not needed.

Karl