Wednesday, November 19, 2008

CNC machine control

G-Code

Machine Controllers take your machining instructions from your G-Code and converts the G-Code into motion.  You are off to the races.  The controller interprets the signal pulses from your Control Computer and instructs the machine to move.


The CNC Machine Controller is made up of various electrical parts.  Remember earlier that I said some electronic junkies flock to CNC.  This is why.  Machine controllers can be built if you are savvy with a soldering iron.  I myself am not.  I personally always default to ordering up a Machine Controller from one of my sources.


Controller builders to me are electronic gods.  They mix power sources, match up Amp, Volts, etc into the item I need.  Generally, you can pick the number of Axis you want before they build the controller.  For example, if you are building a CNC Router you may want a two-axis controller.  Possibly a three-axis controller if you have a Torch Height Control.  If you have a milling machine or a wood router in mind, then a three axis is your ticket.  If you want to machine with a rotary axis, then you need a four-axis controller.  So on and so forth.

Here are some example controller prices
Here are some prices you might see in the marketplace.  Most come with motor systems and cable as well.  Really, you purchase a whole kit at once if you go this route.The other way to do it is to buy the necessary components and build it yourself.  I wouldn’t suggest this for the beginner.

Prices
2 Axis – $1000–$3000 - Movement in the X and Y axis, dependent on the size of motors you order
3 Axis – $1500–$4000 - Movement in the X, Y and Z axis, dependent on the size of motors you order
4 Axis – $2000–$6000 - Movement in the X, Y, Z and A axis, dependent on the size of motors you order

Note: The A-axis is the rotational axis.  Why is it called that?I do not know.  It is also sometimes called the B-axis.  I have even heard it called the W-axis.  A-axis is the rotational axis around the X-axis. B-axis is the rotational axis around the Y-axis.

Buying a completed CNC Machine
If you purchase a CNC Machine outright, it will have a machine controller as part of the package.  Everyone does it a bit different though.  Some try to make it a black box that only they can fix.Other people use commonly used components so you could repair it if need be.  You will just have to ask the manufacturer and see what they say.  My experience says they usually tell you that it uses common components that you can get anywhere if needed.  If something goes wrong, it seems you can only get the part from them.You are going to have to decide for yourself.

Internal Machine Controller Parts
There are many different electrical components that go into building a CNC machine controller.  I won’t pretend that I am an expert on this.  Actually, this is one of the components I buy pre-made so I don’t have to do it.If you are electronics wizard you could build your own.  I know where my skills are at and it isn’t in assembling and understanding electronics.


Here is what I know about the guts of a controller.  There will be drivers.  One for each axis.Gecko drivers seem to be the best on the market right now and they also have great support.  I have used Gecko drivers in two of my creations and they work great.  Next, is a processor to do the computing work.  A power source to power the controller.  Finally the external cableling that heads out to the motors at each axis on your machine.
There is more to it than that and I probably left out something.  Those are the basic parts of machine controllers.

CNC Control Pendants
I did not know where to put this section.  The Machining Chapter or Machine Controllers Chapter.It ended up here because the pendant is hooked to the controller.  Any pendant automatically gets a gold star from me.  I love them.  If you use one, I guarantee you will love it.


Pendants are a true lifesaver when machining.  They give you access to commonly used functions about anywhere you want them.  You can jog the machine to a new location.  You can zero out your axis with a click.You can even control your machining when you are machining.  All pendants are different and are usually associated with a purchased Machine Controller.


Pendants can be made.  There are a number of people out there that have pieced them together.  Generally these are the electronic types of people involved with CNC.  They like this extra challenge.Many of these homemade CNC pendants come out very nice.Many of these people are proud of their designs and will share their plans and component lists with you.The trick is to find them.

CNC information website
If you would like to know more about CNC, head on over to http://www.cncinformation.com
You can join for Free and you get two free CNC ebooks. One is a G-Code book and the other is the CNC information site book. You also get access to the Free Video Series...Image to CNC Art when you join the community.

Green Tea

The Healing Tea

 

Scientists have discovered that green tea can be helpful for many medical purposes. This healthful tea has been around for thousands of years, and today it is popular all over the world. Some scientists say that green tea can reduce the risk of esophageal and colon cancer by almost sixty percent. Through research scientists have discovered that green tea can be a great help for high cholesterol, infection, and even weight loss. But what makes this tea so spectacular? Certain properties in green tea enable it to attack and kill cancer cells. Besides, green tea is high in EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate), a powerful anti-oxidant that can help protect your skin against UV rays.

What Makes Green Tea Different?

Green tea comes from the plant (Camellia sinensis), the same plant from which normal black tea is made. The main difference is that green tea goes through minimal oxidation while processing, giving it a much lighter color than regular black tea. Green tea comes in a variety of flavors, and is usually not served with any type of cream or sugar. Another special quality that green tea possesses is that it can increase metabolism, which aids weight loss and lowering cholesterol. The way green tea is harvested also makes a difference. It is harvested usually in early spring and is done by hand, and then dried. The Chinese used to steam the tea to stop fermentation, but today most it is done by roasting.

 

History of Green Tea

Green tea has been around for approximately 5,000 years, but the story of its origin is unclear. Some say that the emperor Shen Nung discovered the plant when a leaf fell into his cup. But another story says that a man by the name of Shien Non Shei found the plant and tasted it, discovering that it was in fact, delicious, and decided upon making a beverage out of it. But whatever its origin, the Chinese have been drinking green tea for thousands of years. In ancient China, Green tea was the drink of the wealthy and political leaders, because it was a costly drink.  But as time passed, the drink was more widely spread among the people of China and Japan.

 

Green tea was introduced into the US by Europeans involved in the tea trade from Asia. And grew rapidly in popularity, making tea a very important part of the trade market in the new world.

 

Side Effects

Green tea has only one side effect, due to its amount of caffeine; however, green tea actually contains less caffeine than some other teas and coffees. But some people are sensitive to caffeine, and may experience insomnia, or other side effects involved in excess of caffeine. But the amount you drink is sometimes a question for scientists. A study by the Saitama Cancer Research Institute in Japan, discovered that there were fewer cases of breast cancer in woman who drank five or more cups daily. Another study discovered that drinking at least four cups a day, can help prevent some types of arthritis, and can also reduce the symptoms in patience who already have arthritis. Some people might say that green tea is a natural healer, but further research is still needed to prove the point!

Are You Ready For Free Psychic Readings?

Love, Romance, And True Happiness come from within.  In order to enjoy a fulfilling relationship one must first know, understand, and respect themselves.  Finding a path inward may be the hardest journey any of us undertake as delving into the hidden recesses of who we are often opens old wounds, raises anxiety levels, and may frustrate even the most savvy self seeker. This journey can be done with live online psychic readings.

First off honesty is essential in charting a map to self understanding. Be honest but fair to yourself when charting your strong points and deficits.  Beating yourself up or feeling guilty will solve nothing. In fact it is counterproductive often leading us in a circle of misery, self loathing, and self destructive behavior patterns.Focus on the positive but be aware of the negative aspects of your personality. This information will help you when receiving authentic psychic readings.

After ascertaining what we believe to be our strong points and deficits make a list of them and decide which strong points and deficits you may be able to improve.  After deciding which personality traits are within our zone of control to change develop a positive strategy for affecting positive change from the inside out.

This status of ourselves will help us in many ways.first it will expand our zone of influence over our lives. By focusing on the things we can change and setting aside or accepting the things we may not currently be able to change we allow wasted energies spent worrying about uncontrollable events and personality traits to be channeled and utilized.  This ultimately gives us more control over our lives by preventing  anxiety driven paralysis or inaction caused by sensory overload.

Secondly, our inventory will help repair our distorted self perceptions. Helping eliminate negative self talk that brings about negative self fulfilling prophecies of our own construct. Sabotaging our selves happens frequently and focusing on the positive and reaffirming the positive with positive self talk helps improve our lives dramatically.  Knowing the positive aspects of our personality is obviously essential in accomplishing this.Keeping a positive attitude and reaffirming our self worth will, will positively impact our self esteem, our self confidence and our outward personality perceived by others as a direct result.

I hope Free Psychic Chat Rooms affords you an opportunity to seek out your true self  and open the door to a happier healthier life.  May true love find you and embrace you with the unconditional positive light of the cosmos.