#linuxcnc | Logs for 2013-10-09

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[00:46:25] <somenewguy> also can I run ngcgui subroutines outside of axis?
[00:46:46] <somenewguy> this machine refuses to boot axis, but I want to generate some code to take to the shop tomorrow, so I was hoping to do that here
[00:47:12] <somenewguy> this machine only has linuxcnc installed casue I got bored and watned to test something, clearly it was a failure but this laptop has no purpose in life now so I have yet to reformat
[03:43:22] <MacGalempsy> reading all this documents about the linux mesa setup seems like there are quite a few settings to have to figure out
[03:43:53] <MacGalempsy> Loetmichel: are you around?
[04:14:54] <MacGalempsy> i am curious if one can place an electric touchprobe in the ATC?
[04:15:27] <MacGalempsy> and insert that into the code prior to machining
[04:23:55] <The_Ball> I need a couple of ADC input to LinuxCNC any ideas for a simple method?
[04:24:20] <DJ9DJ> moin
[04:25:50] <The_Ball> MacGalempsy, are you following me? ;)
[04:26:08] <MacGalempsy> nope. im just a noob
[04:26:27] <The_Ball> MacGalempsy, there are wireless touch probes used for that, expensive but very very accurate
[04:26:48] <MacGalempsy> that sounds very cool
[04:27:12] <MacGalempsy> once I get this conversion done, I
[04:27:32] <The_Ball> MacGalempsy, http://www.renishaw.com/en/rmp600-high-accuracy-touch-probe--8880
[04:27:44] <MacGalempsy> will get more into the bells and whistles
[04:28:28] <The_Ball> not hobby stuff though, ATC are on the border of hobby stuff, what are you converting?
[04:28:31] <MacGalempsy> its exciting that the hardware is very precise
[04:28:40] <MacGalempsy> benchman xt
[04:32:21] <The_Ball> nice!
[04:32:49] <MacGalempsy> thnx. it should be here next week, then the real work begins
[04:32:53] <The_Ball> that would be a fun conversion, mesa cards?
[04:33:22] <MacGalempsy> if everything works out, all I have to do is change the breakout board and motion card.
[04:33:39] <MacGalempsy> yeah, that is the consensus since it is dc servo controlled
[04:34:01] <MacGalempsy> so now I am reading up and watching youtube videos
[04:39:08] <The_Ball> awesome, one day I'll do a conversion like that
[04:40:15] <MacGalempsy> once this machine is up and going, the plan is to make enough stuff to sell and get a building somewhere
[04:43:42] <The_Ball> cool, don't know anything about that
[06:02:41] <jthornton> 9c here at the moment
[06:05:25] <jthornton> Jymmm, wake up
[06:42:01] <The_Ball> jthornton, long time since I've been on here, how are you going?
[06:42:43] <jthornton> doing good here, only one machine left to convert this winter
[06:44:13] <The_Ball> good stuff, if your workshop is heated :)
[06:44:34] <jthornton> and very insulated finally
[06:45:32] <The_Ball> I'm about to insulate mine, but for the opposite reason, have a 8KW AC unit in there, hehe
[06:46:12] <The_Ball> have you got any ideas on hooking up a couple of ADCs to HAL?
[06:46:42] <The_Ball> I'm about to put a plastic extruder onto the mill and want to do PID control of the heaters
[06:47:14] <jthornton> I think there was some discussion on the forum about this
[06:47:24] <jthornton> that is above my pay grade
[06:47:51] <The_Ball> hehe
[07:44:08] <MacGalempsy> jthornton: nice tutorial
[07:46:28] <jthornton> which one?
[07:46:35] <Tom_itx> any of em :)
[07:48:03] <skunkworks> all of them? ;)
[07:54:41] <jthornton> http://www.gnipsel.com/linuxcnc/configs/pncconf-7i76.html
[08:05:59] <CaptHindsight> looks like it's time to hang up Linuxcnc, apparently all you need is an ARM Cortex-M3 and their software kludge http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/logxen/smoothieboard-the-future-of-cnc-motion-control
[08:07:33] <skunkworks> cool :)
[08:19:05] <kengu> CaptHindsight: i am waiting for one of those
[08:19:50] <kengu> the problem is that the interface is not still great compared to linuxcnc axis gui
[08:21:45] <CaptHindsight> kengu: kidding, it's lacking many things
[08:22:52] <kengu> i am thinking of putting it on a nonexisting laser cutter
[09:18:06] <Jymmm> jthornton: at 9c, I'm turning up my heated mattress pad and NEVER getting up =)
[09:39:24] <JT_Shop> Jymmm, I got a clue from the eye pad the other day on vacation
[09:39:45] <JT_Shop> can't sync eye cloud unless connected to wifi and plugged in
[09:39:52] <Jymmm> jthornton: The Butler in the kitchen with the candlestick?
[09:40:41] <Jymmm> jthornton: why would you be using icloud?
[09:43:14] <JT_Shop> I don't use it, but I think my daughter set it up for my wife for some reason
[09:43:26] <Jymmm> ah
[09:43:43] <JT_Shop> so I think the constant syncing ran up the usage
[09:45:53] <JT_Shop> at this point I'm only using 30% of my daily quota
[09:46:06] <JT_Shop> since turning off all wifi to eye things
[10:31:02] <kwallace> So Apple invents these fancy devices and software, but 99% of us don't have the network bandwidth to use them.
[10:32:46] <Jymmm> and yet they still make lots of money
[10:32:55] <ReadError> 99% ?
[10:32:56] <ReadError> what
[10:36:16] <kwallace> ReadError: My opinion is based on my perception that 99% of the people I know have metered service, which gets too expensive when one actually uses the service. I could just be grumpy this morning.
[10:37:05] <Jymmm> kwallace: you in the uk?
[10:37:49] <kwallace> No, I'm in California, next door to Silicon Valley.
[10:38:01] <Jymmm> kwallace: Where?
[10:38:21] <Jymmm> stockton?
[10:38:50] <Jymmm> Fresno?
[10:39:03] <kwallace> https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zYBp-56SNjFs.kq5jQfmiJAYU
[10:39:24] <Jymmm> bad link
[10:40:24] <kwallace> Oops, well I'm in Groveland next to Yosemite Park.
[10:41:11] <Jymmm> Um, that's not NEXT DOOR to silicone valley in the least.
[10:42:02] <JT_Shop> no, just us poor slobs that live outside the loop and have to use satellite
[10:43:35] <Jymmm> Nothing says you can't put up a tower
[10:44:13] <Jymmm> If you're in BFE, you kinda expect nothing to be around.
[10:44:39] <Jymmm> Assuming you actually bought the land you are on.
[10:44:46] <Jymmm> not just renting
[10:44:54] <JT_Shop> tower to where?
[10:45:01] <Jymmm> UP
[10:45:10] <JT_Shop> to connect to what?
[10:45:13] <Jymmm> 100+ feet in the air
[10:45:17] <Jymmm> microwave link
[10:46:34] * JT_Shop hopes the fiber they buried up by the road brings something
[10:47:21] <kwallace> I have WiFi so I can get decent upload capacity, but usually people around here have WiFi, satellite, or cell; all metered.
[10:47:22] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: 2 years
[10:47:56] <Jymmm> kwallace: you're at 3100ft, you should be able to hit something
[10:49:59] <kwallace> PG&E put or has access to fiber on our street to connect to our SmartMeter, but the phone company won't provide fiber Internet.
[10:50:50] <Jymmm> http://www.velociter.net/index1.html
[10:54:09] <kwallace> Jymmm: Escalon is too far and it looks like they have similar pricing to the two ISPs we have here.
[11:11:04] <JT_Shop> Jymmm, http://mobroadbandnow.com/regional-planning/ozark-foothills/
[11:18:44] <kwallace> JT-Shop: We have seen these planning things come and go a few times around here. A rural Internet grant is offered, Pac-Bell or ATT writes an application, they get the money, and that's the end of it.
[11:19:40] <JT_Shop> the fiber is in the ground 1.6 miles from my house and all over the place around Butler county
[11:19:40] <archivist> over here BT (national provider) takes all the cash from grants and then rapes the users
[11:23:34] <kwallace> JT-Shop: A cheap WiFi router could do the last 1.6 miles, but technology is not the hard part. Do you know anyone at the end of that fiber?
[11:30:20] <JT_Shop> I don't think the fiber is connected to anything yet
[11:30:36] <JT_Shop> it's not the end it just goes by
[11:59:03] <c60> Anyone have recommendations on CAM packages? I've been using Enroute, contemplating upgrading...
[12:03:57] <mrsun_> does vacuum work under the same "rules" as hydraulic stuff ? or air ... that is, can i amplify the power of a vacuum by sucking it throught a narrower passage? :()
[12:04:11] <mrsun_> like i can when blowing air
[12:17:26] <IchGuckLive> hi all B)
[12:23:23] <DJ9DJ> hi there
[13:31:24] <IchGuckLive> by
[13:33:01] <ReadError> i need to teach IchGuck to spell bye next time i see him ;)
[13:33:40] <_DJ_> hehe
[13:33:50] <_DJ_> you will need to teach him a lot of other words also ;)
[13:34:34] <_DJ_> i hope his german is better ;)
[13:37:19] <archivist> but..he said he was born in the USA
[13:38:51] <archivist> as an englishman I find most german users english near perfect most of the time
[13:39:11] <archivist> with one exception
[13:42:16] <_DJ_> really?
[13:42:41] <_DJ_> i would expect that most native english speakers think that most germans speak terrible english
[13:43:53] * _DJ_ is german, so i am allowed to say that ;)
[13:44:02] <archivist> on the contrary, rarely do I see poor english from germans
[13:44:19] <archivist> Dutch are pretty good too
[13:44:47] <archivist> I am terrible at languages apart from tyop
[13:45:11] <_DJ_> tyop?
[13:45:53] <archivist> typo
[13:46:01] <_DJ_> hrhr
[13:46:10] <_DJ_> i just googled tyop ^^
[13:46:30] <_DJ_> urban dictionary... yep ;)
[13:47:55] <archivist> I spent time as a kid in Libya and learned a bit of arabic, french etc but none of that really stuck
[13:49:36] <_DJ_> ui, nice
[13:50:43] <archivist> I just pick up odd words, and then use them in the wrong country, on our stall at a flea market "Te Koop"
[13:51:16] <_DJ_> hihi
[13:51:37] <archivist> fella walk up and asks why we put that, my reply was to catch a dutchman
[13:51:55] <_DJ_> haha
[13:52:05] <_DJ_> ah, now i understand the meaning :)
[13:52:12] <_DJ_> "to buy"? ;)
[13:52:15] <ReadError> i thought you would need like GANJA 420 to attract the dutch
[13:52:18] <archivist> to sell
[13:52:31] <archivist> te huur is to rent
[13:52:37] <_DJ_> yeah, to sell for you, to buy for the customer ;)
[13:52:57] <archivist> he brought me a printed sign a couple of years later
[13:55:13] <_DJ_> :-)
[14:28:58] <ReadError> well
[14:29:05] <ReadError> in america they only teach us 'murican
[14:31:42] <kengu> what ever
[14:41:27] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: and you dont know anyone in the blue area? http://mobroadbandnow.com/files/2013/07/HighSpeed_OzarkFoothills.jpg
[14:52:59] <Jymmm> http://gizmodo.com/how-the-nsa-deploys-malware-1442836903
[15:08:38] <Jymmm> http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iJN5vPslElc
[15:17:55] <JT_Shop> Jymmm, yea, I'm in the blue area
[15:20:02] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: how many acres are you on?
[15:20:11] <JT_Shop> 9
[15:20:45] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: Toss up a tower, get microwave link and be done with it
[15:21:48] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: you can even put camera and machien gun at the top too
[15:22:08] <_DJ_> remote controlled, hm
[15:23:10] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: can add a wifi AP on it too!!!
[15:23:32] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: sell wifi to your neighbors
[15:23:53] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: pays for tower.... PROFIT
[15:32:28] <JT_Shop> who do I get microwave from?
[15:32:40] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: zipcode?
[15:32:53] <JT_Shop> 63901
[15:36:19] <ReadError> blazing fast 3MBIT down
[15:36:21] <ReadError> woh
[15:39:47] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: http://semo.net/internet-service/wireless/
[15:40:30] <JT_Shop> they don't serve this area any more
[15:40:48] <JT_Shop> that was my service provider for a long time
[15:41:05] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: for wireless?
[15:41:49] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: Would you be willing to put up a tower?
[15:41:52] <JT_Shop> yea
[15:42:31] <JT_Shop> the tower would have to be 150' min to clear the trees between here and town
[15:42:40] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: Then I'd talk to them. You could get them to even pay you to permit them access /lease space on your tower
[15:42:43] <JT_Shop> maybe 200'
[15:43:01] <JT_Shop> they had a tower out here and took it down
[15:43:23] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: did they say why? lost their lease?
[15:44:03] <JT_Shop> got sued
[15:44:08] <Jymmm> for?
[15:44:16] <Jymmm> infrigment?
[15:44:27] <JT_Shop> causing too many lightning strikes LOL
[15:44:42] <Jymmm> oh gawd
[15:45:14] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: Well, talk to them anyway. Having elevation like that goes a long ways
[15:46:14] <JT_Shop> I'm not the highest point by a long shot and if the tower didn't serve the rich people across the hyw it is not cost effective
[15:46:49] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: You could just resell wifi to them =)
[15:47:37] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: like at the coffee shops one day, one week, one month access at a time
[15:47:50] <JT_Shop> not enough density to make it worth the upfront cost
[15:48:19] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: doesn't matter, you get internet, and someone pays for it over time
[15:48:25] <JT_Shop> otherwise someone would have done it years ago when Brian asked for investors
[15:48:58] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: its not a business venture, just gets you reliable unmeteed internet
[15:49:26] <Jymmm> till they do somethign with that fiber =)
[15:49:53] <Jymmm> JT_Shop: or, if you know your neighbors, you could create a mesh network
[15:50:19] <JT_Shop> in the mean time I have a 2 year commitment on the satellite internet
[15:50:55] <Jymmm> Well, it might take you that long todo the mesh
[15:51:19] <Jymmm> anyhow...
[16:16:45] <JT_Shop> good idea anyhow
[16:29:21] <_DJ_> gn8
[16:29:30] <JT_Shop> Weee I get to use G55
[17:19:21] <Tom_itx> let them put a cell tower up there too
[18:53:20] <owhite> hello people. I havent built a cnc system for about 5 years, but I'm thinking of putting something together. The last system was made using gecko drivers to servo motors with encoders. I'm wondering if people are still using gecko drivers for servos or is something else still cost effective?
[19:02:45] <andypugh> It depends on the motors, to an extent. I think the Gecko drives are only for brished motors?
[19:03:41] <andypugh> (Brushed, I mean)
[19:04:24] <owhite> yes, brushed.
[19:05:13] <andypugh> Would you be looking to use brushed again, or perhaps brushless?
[19:05:21] <ries> Hey all, if you have a mill (metal) and you program a couple of operations with a specific tool. Can you be in a situation that you want to have collant on/off per type of operation?
[19:05:31] <owhite> I used G320s.
[19:05:54] <owhite> yep, I want to use the same brushed motors I have.
[19:06:45] <andypugh> Pico have some options: http://pico-systems.com/osc2.5/catalog/index.php?cPath=3
[19:07:33] <owhite> thanks...lookng
[19:07:51] <andypugh> And Mesa have the 7i29 which is $300 but does handle 2 motors per card.
[19:08:30] <andypugh> (and is rated at twice the voltage of the Gecko card).
[19:09:23] <andypugh> The Granite drives habe a pretty heat-sink: http://granitedevices.com/servo-drive-vsd-e
[19:09:39] <MacGalempsy> evening guys
[19:10:26] <andypugh> Hi
[19:13:21] <owhite> well it sure doesnt look like the prices have changed much.
[19:15:10] <andypugh> There are also Leadshine drives on eBay. Somewhat cheaper: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-DC-Brush-Servo-Drive-80VDC-20A-Leadshine-DCS810-/330786828563?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d046e7113
[19:15:44] <andypugh> Step-dir input only, but that isn't necessarily a disaster
[19:16:03] <owhite> Leadshine. Boy those chinese sure know their marketing.
[19:16:56] <owhite> oh huh. This pwm control is a new one on me.
[19:22:35] <andypugh> Servo drives have been working on analogue voltage derived from a PWM for years. And then the first thing that they do internally is turn that analogue voltage into a PWM...
[19:25:54] <owhite> am I the only one that thinks at this point the pico boards should with using parallel port connections?
[19:26:04] <owhite> ^stop
[19:26:33] <andypugh> It works, it's deterministic, driver support is lightweight with few dependencies.
[19:26:53] <andypugh> What's _wrong_ with it?
[19:28:05] <owhite> I have to check but I'm not sure the mini-itx I was planning on using has a parallel port.
[19:28:40] <andypugh> Which one?
[19:29:00] <owhite> I dont have it in front of me.
[19:33:11] <andypugh> Having said that, I have not used a Pico card myself.
[19:33:26] <Jymmm> I think cradek has
[19:33:28] <andypugh> But then I am knee-deep in Mesa samples.
[19:36:41] <cradek> I have pico products on my lathe (the resolver convertor), but I haven't used the ppmc interfaces on my own machines. But I have helped on retrofits that have.
[19:37:54] <owhite> cradek - what would you recommend for the current state of the art for brushed servo motor drivers ? I used to use gecko G320s but I'm wondering if people are doing anything different these days.
[19:38:43] <cradek> I think step-servos are a crap solution. but that being said, so far I've always used the drives that were already on the machine (original brushed servos, original drives)
[19:39:10] <cradek> I guess I used an AMC for my homemade 4th axis, it works fine
[19:39:26] <owhite> hm well I already have the brushed servo motors.
[19:39:45] <owhite> I forget, think they're in the 7amp range or something.
[19:40:38] <somenewguy> lucky man
[19:40:49] <owhite> what is a reasonably inexpensive alternative?
[19:41:51] <andypugh> What do you consider unreasonably expensive?
[19:42:36] <owhite> I dunno. It's been a while, I forget what price I got these on ebay.
[19:43:05] <owhite> is the point that brushless servos would be better?
[19:43:31] <andypugh> Not really. How many sets of brushes have you ever worn out?
[19:45:33] <owhite> okay so cradek is down on step-servos - is there some non-stepped approach to using brushed servos? keep in mind its been on the order of 8 years since I built my last system. At the time stepped servos seemed like the only affordable way to go.
[19:46:17] <andypugh> What interface are you looking at at the computer end?
[19:46:38] <kwallace> My Pico amps are working well: http://www.wallacecompany.com/cnc_lathe/HNC/
[19:46:45] <somenewguy> this is gonna sound silly once I know the answer, but why does ngcgui.ini contain a [Rs274ngc] field and the e default sim axis.ini does not? Is that not an important library?
[19:46:57] <somenewguy> how does axis not have it, or am I completlye misunderstanding how it works
[19:48:29] <kwallace> Brushless amps let you adjust commutation timing on the fly.
[19:48:55] <owhite> andypugh - the pci or what ever is in my mini-itx.
[19:49:14] <andypugh> Mesa card then?
[19:50:07] <owhite> probably. the only other I/O is going to be usb or db-9 connectors. I believe it has two but I have to double check.
[19:50:53] <andypugh> somenewguy: You can add [SECTIONS] and ENTRIES to the INI as required. I think that the [RS274NGC] one must be ngcgui-specific.
[19:51:12] <somenewguy> ok, a quick google of what it is makes it sound like it IS the gcode interperter so i am really confused
[19:51:52] <andypugh> In that case you can use a variety of interfaces, but the best support would be analogue-voltage, PWM or step/dir
[19:52:59] <owhite> what are examples of driving brushed servos without using step-servo drivers?
[19:53:47] <MacGalempsy> sorry about that greet and vanish, had to get a report out to a client
[19:54:38] <andypugh> AMC analogue-input drives. (or any of a thousand others)
[19:54:46] <MacGalempsy> so andy, the computer you recommended and the mesa board set are on the way. the i/o options on those cards are quite impressive!
[19:55:17] <andypugh> The Mesa 7i29 takes direct PWM commands from the FPGA
[19:55:45] <MacGalempsy> after going through the linuxcnc documentations, im a still nervous about the setup phase
[19:55:53] <andypugh> owhite: Have a look at the 5i25/7i77 combo, and any +/-10V servo drive.
[19:56:04] <MacGalempsy> like figuring out all the settings for the motors and encoders
[19:56:29] <andypugh> With enormous flexibility comes enormous complexity, unfortunately.
[19:57:19] <MacGalempsy> yeah, I figured so. can you think of any addtional meters or tools I will need to calibrate the motor parameters?
[19:59:52] <andypugh> No, Halscope is all that you should need.
[19:59:55] <owhite> andypugh - ah. Thanks. I wasnt aware there were animals like the 7i77.
[20:00:58] <andypugh> I am using the Mesa 8i20. That's a brushless drive, but us a good example of something different, as it takes current and phase angle commands in a digital serial format from the Mesa FPGA card.
[20:02:36] <andypugh> MacGalempsy: Halscope is cool: http://www.linuxcnc.org/docs/html/hal/tutorial.html#sec:Tutorial-Halscope
[20:02:39] <MacGalempsy> the 5i25/7i77 combo runs ~240
[20:03:11] <andypugh> owhite: For step-servos the alternative is 5i25/7i76
[20:04:12] <MacGalempsy> the turret toolladder seems reasonable, but no real idea until everything gets stripped down. Hopefully, all the OEM buttons and lights will work right
[20:04:15] <andypugh> (Or to use the 7i29, in case you were thinking about it, you would need 5i20 or 5i23. A different style of card. )
[20:06:18] <andypugh> OK, out of here.
[20:08:34] <MacGalempsy> The_Ball: whats up?
[20:09:10] * WalterN bounces The_Ball
[20:18:01] <The_Ball> MacGalempsy, not much, just got to work
[20:18:11] <MacGalempsy> yeah me too. what do you do?
[20:18:33] <The_Ball> I'm a developer
[20:18:41] <The_Ball> What do you do?
[20:19:58] <WalterN> he pokes people on IRC
[20:20:15] <MacGalempsy> im a consulting geologist
[20:20:15] <The_Ball> hmm, who pays for that, hook me up ;)
[20:20:37] <MacGalempsy> so I wait for data to analyze then send out reports
[20:22:36] <The_Ball> Cool, for mining industry?
[20:22:36] <MacGalempsy> you guys have a best size touchscreen for running linuxcnc?
[20:22:44] <MacGalempsy> no oil and gas
[20:22:58] <The_Ball> yeah, the bigger the better ;)
[20:23:20] <MacGalempsy> hmm
[20:23:37] <MacGalempsy> this last computer got dual 27 and those are too big
[20:23:51] <MacGalempsy> well, the wifeys computer
[21:06:56] <s1dev> cradek: it was the tool table, turns out the tool table itself was zero indexed while what was shown in the software was one indexed and since there were extra empty entries in the tool table, it went unnoticed
[21:07:45] <WalterN> where is a good place to get a motion control belt?
[21:08:37] <WalterN> like 12ish feet long XD
[21:09:27] <WalterN> something like a timing belt for a car
[21:09:47] <jdh> sdp-si perhaps
[21:16:18] <WalterN> hmm
[21:16:31] <WalterN> maybe it would be easier to just get an acme screw
[21:16:43] <WalterN> 12ish feet long
[21:16:57] <somenewguy> chain?
[21:17:16] <WalterN> a chain would work too
[21:20:52] <somenewguy> probably easier to get in the length you want, and you can couple em to make em longer
[21:20:58] <somenewguy> within reason of course
[21:22:19] <WalterN> hmm
[21:22:39] <WalterN> I'm not finding a 12' acme screw rod
[21:23:25] * WalterN goes to ebay
[21:23:51] <somenewguy> get a die and some rod lol
[21:24:28] <WalterN> meh
[21:24:30] <WalterN> I'm lazy
[21:24:37] <somenewguy> I wouldn't do it either
[21:24:43] <somenewguy> just encourage others to hate themselves doing it
[21:24:47] <WalterN> lol
[21:25:47] <WalterN> dies dont work very well anyway... single point is the best way, but doing 12' single point would be a pain in the butt
[21:27:47] <WalterN> I guess it dosent even have to be acme threads
[21:27:53] <WalterN> well
[21:28:03] <WalterN> preferable
[21:29:32] <WalterN> not finding anything longer than 6'
[21:29:44] <WalterN> suppose I could put two of them together
[21:30:46] <Tom_itx> WalterN, the reprappers buy them in lengths i'm sure you could order what you need
[21:30:52] <WalterN> here is a 5 lead acme rod
[21:31:45] <WalterN> Tom_itx: I'm just not finding it though... 6' is about the longest I've seen so far
[21:32:21] <Tom_itx> WalterN, also have you seen this system: http://bell-everman.com/products/linear-positioning/servobelt-linear-sbl
[21:33:34] <WalterN> Tom_itx: how much is that?
[21:34:02] <Tom_itx> i'd call sdp-si or someone like them and ask
[21:34:10] <Tom_itx> i'm not sure about the cost on that system
[21:34:13] <WalterN> oh
[21:34:31] <WalterN> its designed to ride on a linear bearing?
[21:34:39] <Tom_itx> click on the 'how it works' tab
[21:34:43] <WalterN> I dont need it to be that accurate
[21:35:19] <WalterN> I'm just looking at stuff to make an automatic blanking thing for a hydraulic bandsaw XD
[21:36:47] <Tom_itx> http://www.vbeltsupply.com/timingbelts.html?gclid=CO2sw7uai7oCFWpp7AodC1oAPg
[21:37:28] <Tom_itx> i know the reprappers buy it in rolls
[21:37:37] <Tom_itx> they cut it to length and sell it
[21:37:44] <Tom_itx> but theirs is likely too small
[21:39:21] <WalterN> hmm
[21:39:53] <WalterN> timing belt that has ends?
[21:40:11] <Tom_itx> they make ends for it for open ended systems yes
[21:40:12] <WalterN> and you cut it to length and glue the ends together?
[21:40:30] <Tom_itx> i doubt you can glue the ends
[21:40:42] <somenewguy> spliceing is common practice no?
[21:41:40] <WalterN> I'm just trying to figure out what a roll of belt means
[21:42:43] <Tom_itx> http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/816799734/rubber_T2_5_Open_Timing_Belt.html
[21:42:47] <Tom_itx> or similar
[21:43:54] <WalterN> how would you make it to length?
[21:44:22] <Tom_itx> do you need a closed end belt or open?
[21:44:47] <WalterN> closed loop
[21:44:49] <WalterN> lol
[21:45:11] <Tom_itx> then i'd call sdp-si or someone and tell them what length you need
[21:48:02] <spack> those rolls are for long belts that don't ever make a full rotation
[21:48:07] <spack> they make less than half
[21:48:15] <spack> so the splice point never rolls over the pulleys
[21:48:15] <Tom_itx> right
[21:48:59] <WalterN> hmm
[21:49:15] <Tom_itx> not really a splice, rather a clamping plate
[21:49:45] <WalterN> yeah, I recall seeing one of those in the past
[21:49:56] <WalterN> dont remember where
[21:50:50] <Tom_itx> http://www.gatesmectrol.com/mectrol/brochure.cfm?brochure=5193&location_id=5321
[21:51:32] <spack> yeah, it'd be a shitty splice
[21:51:43] <spack> sometimes the ends just clamp to the carriage
[21:55:04] <WalterN> what is this VbeltSupply.com place?
[21:58:36] * WalterN starts looking at chains
[22:02:57] <WalterN> they dont look too expensive
[22:04:41] <WalterN> shiny http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-MORSE-06B-3-TRIPLE-STRAND-3-8IN-24FT-ROLLER-CHAIN-D203286-/290917776067
[22:04:59] <WalterN> what is that multi-band chain generally used for?
[22:05:15] <Tom_itx> heavier loads
[22:05:29] <Tom_itx> ever see a timing chain on a cheby?
[22:05:45] <Tom_itx> not roller chain but the same idea
[22:05:45] <WalterN> never seen a timing chain
[22:06:23] <Tom_itx> http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Cloyes-Gear-C3023X-S-B-Chevy-Double-Roller-Timing-Chain,220.html
[22:08:05] <Tom_itx> how long a belt do you need?
[22:09:31] <WalterN> about 12' between sprockets
[22:09:59] <WalterN> as I'd like to be able to drop in a 12' bar for the thing
[22:10:04] <Tom_itx> that would be a heavy chain too
[22:10:28] <Tom_itx> for a bar feed?
[22:10:40] <WalterN> bar feed for a band saw
[22:11:04] <WalterN> might make a bar feeder later on I guess
[22:12:27] <WalterN> hmm
[22:12:35] <WalterN> and a bandsaw to go with it XD
[22:12:55] <WalterN> the one we have here is kind of seriously fail
[22:13:42] <MacGalempsy> guys, what kind of control panels are hot to go with the linuxcnc package? any preferable configurations?
[22:14:12] <Tom_itx> whatever suits the application
[22:14:51] <WalterN> get a cheap mechanical keyboard and use that
[22:15:01] <Tom_itx> WalterN, do you use a feed stop on the end for the bar feed?
[22:15:03] <WalterN> <3 mechanical keyboards
[22:15:15] <WalterN> Tom_itx: what do you mean feed stop?
[22:15:31] <Tom_itx> to stop the bar to the proper length
[22:16:03] <Tom_itx> or are you counting on the feed mechanism to regulate the cutoff length?
[22:16:53] <WalterN> uh
[22:17:33] <Tom_itx> you indicated the application is to cut off a full length 12' bar to itty bitty pieces
[22:17:34] <WalterN> I was just going to use a beefy stepper motor and count steps based on whatever size sprockets I get to feed the correct length
[22:17:59] <Tom_itx> why not use a positive stop on the cutoff end?
[22:18:01] <WalterN> with a stop switch near the end of its travel
[22:18:17] <WalterN> I'm not sure what you mean
[22:18:32] <Tom_itx> similar to a lathe bar feed
[22:18:48] <Tom_itx> the material will advance until it hits the stop
[22:19:03] <WalterN> maybe we are talking about the same thing?
[22:19:06] <WalterN> lol
[22:19:30] <Tom_itx> that way you don't need to count stepper steps
[22:19:44] <Tom_itx> it will advance until it hits the hard stop
[22:20:03] <WalterN> what?
[22:20:10] <WalterN> oh... like
[22:20:36] <WalterN> have a switch in front of the saw, maybe an IR break beam?
[22:20:43] <Tom_itx> and some sort of clutch or slip mechanism to keep the feed mechanism from burning up when it hits the hard stop
[22:20:49] <Tom_itx> mechanical
[22:20:55] <Tom_itx> it could be optical i suppose
[22:22:37] <WalterN> enh
[22:22:39] <Tom_itx> http://bandsawblade.com/modernbf.htm
[22:23:29] <WalterN> wouldent it be easier to just use a stepper motor?
[22:27:48] <WalterN> anyway
[22:28:07] <Tom_itx> depends on the application i suppose
[22:28:17] <Tom_itx> there's generally more than one way to do something
[22:28:24] <WalterN> heh, yeah
[22:28:39] <WalterN> I'm thinking chain+stepper motor is the way to go
[22:28:53] <Tom_itx> what are you cutting off?
[22:29:12] <Tom_itx> tubing? I beams? it may make a design difference
[22:29:15] <WalterN> right now... square/rectangle 1018
[22:29:28] <WalterN> 1.5"ish in size
[22:29:42] <Tom_itx> is it cut to finish or rough cut?
[22:29:46] <WalterN> both
[22:29:59] <Tom_itx> then you _do_ need accuracy
[22:30:06] <WalterN> some stuff is sent out with a saw cut, some is faced
[22:31:09] <WalterN> either way they all end up in the mill to get holes and stuff drilled out
[22:32:13] <WalterN> and I could see it being useful for other things
[22:32:24] <WalterN> besides what is running right now
[23:10:35] <MacGalempsy> hangout?
[23:44:09] <MacGalempsy> dang its dead
[23:45:45] <Jymmm> come back around 6am Pacific time