Torus Pro As A "Production" Machine

[Steve303]

Thought that might be the case. Still looking forward to seeing them in action!
Steve

[SCzEngrgGroup]

Finally getting around to building a proper test fixture for testing the ATCs for both the Torus Pro and Pulsar. Here is the fixture I'll be building shortly. It mimics all the Torus Pro mounting points and spindle location on one side, and Pulsar on the other. So, I'll be able to test one of each concurrently.



Regards,
Ray L.

[LeeWay]

This is cool stuff, Ray.
How much longer on the Pulsar PDB?
Ball park is fine.

[SCzEngrgGroup]

Here is most of the ATC test fixture:



This fixture exactly replicates the key dimensions of the Torus Pro and Pulsar:

Spindle location relative to front of column
Spindle location relative to left side of head carriage (where transfer arm drive bracket attaches)
Spindle location relative to left side of column (where carousel bracket attaches)
Spindle location relative to top of column (where carousel "hanger" bracket attaches)

The end closest to the camera is the Torus Pro end, which has a compatible spindle cartridge (actually from an NM-200, courtesy of a helpful forum member) mounted. The other end has a Pulsar spindle cartridge mounted.

This will allow me to do all development and burn-in testing on the fixture, rather than on the actual machines. I can even run both systems at once. All that's left to do is mill a couple of simple aluminum mounting adaptors that provide the actual mounting points for the ATC brackets themselves.

Regards,
Ray L.

[Steve303]

This is cool stuff, Ray.
How much longer on the Pulsar PDB?
Ball park is fine.

Bump
Steve

[Steve303]

Ray, do you know if your ATC will work with PathPilot ? I am really looking forward to the ATC.
Steve

[SCzEngrgGroup]

Ray, do you know if your ATC will work with PathPilot ? I am really looking forward to the ATC.
Steve

The ATC supports numerous interfaces - serial, USB, Ethernet (both sockets and http), and others - but I have no plans to provide a "driver" for PathPilot, without some serious motivation in that direction.

Regards,
Ray L.

[LeeWay]

Ray, have you thought about having the covers on these 3D printed?
It might be a better option than vacuum forming. You could add the attachment features, cut out etc all in the model and not have to do much if any 2nd ops to them. Not only that, but you could pick and choose the material and color. Beef it up in some areas. Make it thinner in others.
I now have two 3D printers. One is rather large. Fusion3 F400. A smaller Craftbot Plus as well.
They both print our weekly part load in 2 to 3 days, so they have some down time.
The big one has a build platform of 14" x 14:" x 12.6". I would be willing to work with you on it if the build volume is large enough. If not, two parts might be viable.
These printers are not your Grannies 3D printers.
The filament selection is amazing as well. Both of these printers will print almost anything. Except for PEEK that require's hotter than 300C. Peek also require's deep pockets.

[SCzEngrgGroup]

Lee,

I'd be interested in talking to you about that. My impression is it would be much more expensive and the quality would likely not be as good, but I'm open to discussion. I'll PM you.

Regards,
Ray L.

[SCzEngrgGroup]

Lee,

I'm not sure the PM is working.... I've sent you two PMs, but neither has shown up in my "Sent Items" folder. Did you get either one?

Regards,
Ray L.

[LeeWay]

I did. I just sent a PM.

Thanks, Ray.

[burbingus]

Hi Ray,
I was wondering how the PDB was coming along for the Pulsar? I appreciate you putting the time in to make it right.

Micah

[Steve303]

Hi Ray,
I was wondering how the PDB was coming along for the Pulsar? I appreciate you putting the time in to make it right.

Micah

Have you considered making your own PDB? Not that hard using Brain's PDB cad file. You can make it in a weekend and it works great, so much better than the LDB.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/novakon/333750-cad.html

Steve

[burbingus]

Hey Steve,

I actually bought a preorder for the PDB when I bought my Pulsar. The diy PDB looks awesome, but I figured I'd wait since I'd already bought in on Ray's design. Plus the R8 tooling change looks pretty cool.

Micah

[Steve303]

Hey Steve,

I actually bought a preorder for the PDB when I bought my Pulsar. The diy PDB looks awesome, but I figured I'd wait since I'd already bought in on Ray's design. Plus the R8 tooling change looks pretty cool.

Micah

Did John give you a ship date for the PDB?

[burbingus]

Did John give you a ship date for the PDB?

No, he recommended me getting with Ray, and I'm waiting to hear back from him about the status.

Micah