Posts Tagged ‘Computer’
Computer Numerical Controlled Machines Automate the Sheet Metal Fabrication Industry
Manufacturers, which produce various steel products, require punching of sheet metal to meet design requirements. Technology has entered the scene of this once manually operated process. This not only increases the speed of production but it gives a new meaning to the term “accuracy” in the positioning of the specific operations. This has been accomplished with the introduction of CNC or computer numerically controlled machining centers.
Punching of sheet metals is a steel fabrication process utilizing ‘tools and dies’. A punch press is the machine which performs the work of shaping and cutting. A turret houses a set of various tools on the machine, depending on the type of punching required.
The punch press, a type of fabricating machine, presses sheet metal against a die with extreme pressure and at very rapid speed of positioning. Sheet metal, now pushed into the die, assumes the shape and design of the specific dye. Cut away, is any excess metal from the newly shaped piece of sheet metal.
Punch presses use hydraulic, pneumatic, or electrical power in their operation. This power exerts immense pressure to press the shape into and perform the cutting of the metal. A piece of sheet metal receives its new form from the taking away of material. Less sheet metal makes a new form. The excess taken away becomes scrap metal for other uses.
A CNC operated punch press typically performs this manipulation process. CNC stands for computer numerical controlled. In the case of a punch press, it utilizes a computer in its operations. The computer directs the action of this press, which contains the tools and their respective dies.
This machine receives different punching instructions from a program written and installed in the computer for a particular application. This enables the machine to go through a complete machining cycle, using various tools and automatically positioning the sheet metal over the appropriate die, at very rapid speeds and with little operator intervention. The accuracy of this process is measured in thousandths of an inch.
A manually operated punch press, for simple punching, with one tool and die set, are still in use today. Large operations with multiple dies and unique specifications rely on the CNC application.
The die portion of a punch press is of very fine tolerances. These are tolerances of thousands of an inch. Pressing sheet metal into a die with a punch means the die does the actual cutting of the metal. The punch, attached to a ram, is a removable piece, as is the die portion.
The die set for sheet metal punching consists of a male punch and a female die. When brought together, with the application of intense pressure, the result is a sheet metal piece as per the specified design.
Punch presses using CNC technology have meant greater volumes of sheet metal production. This process spells efficiency for a company, which means greater profits. This edge is necessary in the competitive steel fabrication companies worldwide find themselves.
Today, there are turret punch presses, CNC types, which perform faster because of technological advances. They can operate unattended and have sheet metal sorting capabilities. New technology constantly raises the mark for performance. Wise steel fabrication companies invest in these applications if it means streamlining of their operations for maximum profit.
Today’s CNC controlled machines can even alert workers who are off-site if something goes wrong in a sheet metal punching process. This allows for unattended “lights out” production capabilities for manufacturers. Telecommunications technology embedded in these computer systems links to users’ phone devices. In essence, CNC technology provides a constant watch over machining of steel.
The use of robotic applications in steel fabrication, including punching, receives continued research and application. Advanced, state-of-the-art CNC technology is the solid future of most fabrication industries.
Billy Kite is a researcher writing on behalf of premium steel sales. A company that sells more than just hrpo – hot rolled pickled and oiled steel products.
Posted in CNC Stepper Controller | 
Tags: Automate, Computer, Controlled, fabrication, Industry, Machines, metal, Numerical, Sheet | 
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CNC Control Computer
The Control Computer generally resides in the shop somewhere near the CNC machine it is controlling. Control Computers don’t have to be the top of the line, every bell and whistle type of computer. These are the workhorses. Save your money for a good design computer. You will save much more time having a fast computer for your designing.
A control computer doesn’t have to be that powerful for a few good reasons. It doesn’t have the workload. It takes G-Code and turns it into signals that it transmits to the Machine Controller. Turning G-Code into signals is not that labor intensive for a computer.
I have used multiple types of control computers. Everything from a 486 DOS running “$30 special” to a modern Dell with Windows XP. I have yet to try one with Vista. I will keep you posted. Generally I like to find a good used computer for a couple hundred bucks, wipe the hard drive and only load the control software onto the machine. That way you know what you have.
There is another good reason you don’t want to spend a lot of money here. This computer will usually be located in the shop. Dirt will be located in your shop. Using logic here, dirt will be located in your computer. If the computer does go belly up, you aren’t out your children’s college tuition.
Here is my strategy in a nutshell for Control Computers. The dirtier the job, the less money I spend on the computer. My plasma cutting computers are bought in the $40 range. They eat a lot of dust and dirt. I blow them out frequently. My wood routing computers are in the $100 dollar range. My milling machine computers usually are in the $200 range. Truth be told, they all last a very long time if you keep dirt, dust and plasma smoke out of them.
How is the CNC Control Computer used?
The control computer has the control software loaded on it. You start up the control software then load up the CNC Program you created. When you do this, the G-Code will be visible and ready to go. Once you prep your CNC Machine and zero it out, you can begin your “cycle.” A cycle is usually completing one CNC Program, which is a machining sequence. You will also hear the term “Cycle Time” on the professional side of CNC a lot more. The quicker you can get the cycle time, the more parts you can make. And yes, that translates to more money.
Back in the good old days of Home CNC, everything was transferred on a disk. Now I have seen people include their Control Computers on their home computer network and transfer the files needed wirelessly. At a very minimum, get a good jump drive and transfer things back and forth that way.
CNC has become a very popular hobby and more and more people are starting to hop on the band wagon of CNC. Its a fun hobby and easy to do from your very own home with just a little elbow grease and creative mind.
Ivan is active in CNC and CNC Programming. CNC Machine is part of his expertise.
CNC to Art Video 10 – Mach 3 G-Code Verify – CNC …
CNC to Art Video Series Video 10:
This is the CNC Video series on how to take an image to a CNC File. This process is one that many CNC Users want to know, but there is not much info on. Here is your chance to get the inside scoop.
For more information, please go to: http://www.cncinformation.com
Before we head out to the shop and begin CNC Plasma Cutting, we will check out our G-Code program in Mach 3. This will give us some confidence when running our CNC Program.
Mach 3 is a great CNC Control Program. It takes our G-Code and converts it into Signal for the CNC Controller. The CNC Controller then sends the signals out to either Servo Motors or Stepper Motors. These motors then move the axis to create motion.
Duration : 0:6:38
CNC RETROFIT KIT MILL LATHE DRILL
Model Shop CNC, Inc Mill/Lathe/Drill CNC retrofit kit video. Shows a converted machine CNC lathing, Milling and drilling.
Duration : 0:3:29
ESMC-04 Stepper motor controller.
Programmable stepper motor controller driver for bipolar motors. Shows how to do some simple funcations for robotics CNC or automation.
Duration : 0:7:32
Posted in CNC Stepper Controller |
Tags: 200, automation, bipolar, cnc, Computer, Electronics, esmc, esmc-01, esmc-02, esmc-04, gadget, lathe, Machine, mechanical, milling, Motor, motors, revolution, robot, robotics, stepper, stepping, steps |
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Stepper motor running at fast step speed
This is the ESMC-04 set to 30 Volts and 1 Amp running an EM-257 motor at speeds up to around 1200 RPM.
Duration : 0:2:26
Posted in CNC Stepper Motors |
Tags: automation, cnc, Computer, Electronics, gadget, mechanical, Motor, motors, robot, robotics, step, stepper, steppers, stepping, steps |
24 Comments »
CNC milling machine makes a model cannon wheel
Haas VF20 3 axis milling machine making a spoked model cannon wheel. Cool circular interpolations. This kind of stuff makes me drool. It is a lot more fun to watch it 5 times faster than it actually happened.
Hope you enjoy. Now you know why I am interested in Black Powder!
Duration : 0:3:45
Posted in CNC Milling Machines |
Tags: aluminum, axis, cnc, Computer, computerized, control, cool, educational, Haas, Machineing, Machinery, machinist, mill, milling, school, VF20 |
2 Comments »
Homemade DIY 3-Axis CNC Router cutting Harley Davidson sign
Quick tour around the machine while it is cutting out a Harley Davidson sign. Some screens shots of the software we wrote to run the controller board we designed. Import files from SignLab and preview on-screen before sending to CNC Router. No need to write g-code. More than one machine can be connected on the network. Each machine is stand alone and does not tie up PC while cutting. Work on another job file and send to a machine that is not busy. Finished sign is shown at the end. Please enjoy this video while listening to Freddie Mercury of QUEEN. Any comment would be great appreciated. Thanks
Duration : 0:9:39
Posted in DIY CNC Controller |
Tags: 16F877, 3-axis, automated, bipolar, bit, cnc, Computer, control, cutout, Cutting, Davidson, diy, electronic, end, gadget, gcode, Harley, Homemade, interpolation, laminate, letter, mechanical, Microchip, mill, Motor, numeric, outdoor, PIC, rigid, router, routing, Sign, signage, signlab, stepper, stepping, trimmer, XYZ |
5 Comments »
Home Engineered 3 Axis CNC Router Machine
Home engineered CNC mahine cutting a 3D sign from polystyene foam material. The controller is only 6″ by 6″, and controls all functions standalone after file is sent. Vacuum table holds work material, and a small laminate cutter with 4 flute 1/4″ end mill cuts. Software allows you to load and view design before routing begins. Better than 0.001″ accuracy. Estimated work time. Emergency Stop button. Removeable job cartridge for commonly cut files. Power supplied by 24V 50VA power transformer. Controlled AC for Shop vac and router. Will cut wood as well.
Duration : 0:2:10
Posted in CNC Router Controller |
Tags: 16F877, 3-axis, automated, bipolar, bit, cnc, Computer, control, cutout, Cutting, diy, electronic, end, gadget, gcode, Homemade, interpolation, laminate, letter, mechanical, Microchip, mill, Motor, numeric, outdoor, PIC, rigid, router, routing, Sign, signage, signlab, stepper, stepping, trimmer, XYZ |
1 Comment »
CNC Router using Mach 3, Turbocad Deluxe 15, and Vectirc Cut2D
This is my CNC router cutting out a memorial plaque for my mother. It is my all original design. I am using Mach 3 as my post controller that runs the router, Turbocad 15 to draw the plaque and last, Vectric Cut2D to do any final changes and also to write the G code. This is my first project using my CNC Router.
Duration : 0:8:55
