1st Machine, need advice...

[Tabor]

Hey guys

This is the machine I have been building for the last month.

I have a quick question in regards to limit and home switches.

I am considering using optical interrupters for the switches, I was wondering if anyone else has used these and if they have had any problems like shavings getting in the infrared path of the switch??

Or is this all to hard and I should just stick with simple micro switches?

Cheers

[jgro]

Although I haven't used them personally, I would advise against it. What you end up with when machining wood is dust, and a lot of it. It gets everywhere. I wouln't trust an optical switch.

jgro

[jeffs555]

I was also thinking about optical for my first machine. It would be good to hear from someone who has actually tried it. A coating of sawdust would not block most optical interrupters, it would take a good sized wood chip to do it. Another option I had considered was magnets and Hall effect sensors or reed switches. I have some left over magnetic door switches from an alarm system that I might try.

[buscht]

Interesting idea.

When I am in doubt, I go look at what the large professional machines are using. All the ones I have seen use simple micro switches. Why, I don't know , but I am sticking with proven technology.

[jphagen]

For the limits I used reed relays and a magnet.
Salvaged from a copy machine. If it will take toner dust
it will take anything except metal ( magnitizes when it is cut)

[Tabor]

Looks like the interrupters maybe just an extra chance for a problem to occur. I will probably just use micro switches and be done with it, looks like it has work for everyone else.

Thanks for the feedback.