CNC SOFTWARE TOOL PATH

[RON CLARKE]

Hello to all.
I am attempting to incorporate stepper motors in an X/Y drive system for use on an ultrasonic plate scanner.

Maximum transverse scanning speed would be on the order of 15"/second and would be a raster type scan.

I would need the software to show real time tool position as it scans and actually show a trace of the scan path. If there is a flaw the scope would alarm and produce a voltage that would be sent to the computer to change the color of the scan path indicating the position on the plate.

This ,in industry, is known as a "C" scan and i believe using a simple kit from Probitx (sp) this could be a workable unit.

My main question is what software would show the actual tool path as it occured and leave a trace.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Ron

[Vega Bill]

Hi Ron,

We have developed digitizing systems in the past using 3 axis parallel deflection contact probes to generate part data. We have a couple of software packages that could potentially be converted for your needs. We have been working in real time applications since the early 70’s.

I would like to know a little more about your application as far as the system resolution and the accuracy you would like to achieve.

At 900 IPM traverse rate, what would be the method of data collection and transfer?

[RON CLARKE]

At 900 IPM traverse rate, what would be the method of data collection and transfer?

In our multi transducer unit the data is real time based on the pulses and entered into the computer from an encoder wheel. That unit is not portable and the cost is around .7 mil $. The limit of that unit is around 1.5" T.

I am working on a single transducer digital control system that would scan on a raster pattern and be man portable. This is necessary in the heavy gage inspection as rolling a 4"T x 120"W x 360" L Cs plate past a gang of transducers presents handling problems.

I was hoping to use the pulses sent to the stepper motors as a method of location/recording on the X/Y scanning plane.

The recording from the ultrasonic scope would be a simple opto coupler activated by a gate alarm that would deliver the 5Vdc pulse to the computer which would change the recorded color as the scan occurs.

Scan would be by a 2.25 Mhz plane wave 2" width transducer in a water colume with a 10% overlap. The mechanics are fairly simple.

C scans in the old analog days was by simple pen/chart recordings. The end result of a C scan is akin to an X-ray just showing a two dimensional image with the flaws being a different color (today) or a lack of pen trace (yesterday).

There are compaines out there that are selling these C scan units for mega bucks however as i look at the physical motions (fairly simple) the only problem i see is the software/stepper motor application, the stepper motor application is a fairly simple process but i am hung up on the recording data transfer. The only systems being sold that are portable are small lab type that have a very limited scanning area. The unit i designed scans a 70 " width @15"/sec then as the head hits the end of the travel it activates a relay which activates a dual coil latching relay which indexes the unit forward then starts the scan in the opposite direction. This is all gear motors and we are having customers that demand a recording which my present unit dosent have. The current system just stops the scanning and the operator has to Joy Stick to outline the rejected area and physically mark the area on the plate.

My first intro BTW to CNC was many years ago at Boeing on an automated rivit machine that ran on punch tape. (this gives my age away). Have pity please i am a simple ME from the old days.

Thanks
Ron

[Dennis Bohlke]

Hi Ron

I have a program that graphically animates the machine motion graphically to the screen.

It draws a circle to the screen of a set color. Corresponding to the cut swath of the tool.

http://www.super-tech.com/root/itm.a...itm-SuperCamXp

It works through the USB port and uses my USB CamPod to generate step and direction signals for motor drivers.

Dennis