Jun 29
admineOrbo replication 2 Orbo, Steorn, Stoern
I have finally received some MAGAMP cores. Two different sizes, 11 cores in all. Can’t say it was easy as it took 6 weeks and several friendly reminders before the seller finally sent them. They will of course be tested in the eOrbo replication, but that project will delayed about 3 months and I will therefore do some other experiments with thee cores in the mean time. It is unlikely I will share these experiments with the public at this time.
Jun 23
admineOrbo replication 2 Orbo, Steorn
I found that the stepper motor for the x axis has an internal short to its metal body and this most certainly disturbs the driver circuit. I have contacted Colinbus support for their opinion and expect a reply tomorrow. It usually takes two workdays for them to reply. I hope I finally found the source of my problems and that a new stepper motor will be the fix. However, this will take time and the next window of opportunity to use the milling machine is in September or so I hope. Oh well, there is a lot of other work to be done at home and now I have no excuse not to do some at least some of it.
Jun 21
admineOrbo replication 2 Orbo, Steorn
Yesterday I took the machine apart to adjust the x, y and z axes. This is finished and I found that two ball bearings need to be replaced. After assembling the machine again it would not start. This threw me off balance and I needed to find a quiet place for some moments. Eventually I disconnected the three stepper motors from the drivers and reconnected them one at a time. It worked, but I don’t know why. It is an indication that I have an electrical problem somewhere. When the machine was running again I was touching the bare metal of the machine and noticed a tingling sensation in my fingers whenever the x axis was running. (I am extremely sensitive to this and often feel this tingling when touching a wire from a USB port.) It is interesting to note that the random moves always happen on the very same x axis.
Jun 20
admineOrbo replication 2 Orbo, Steorn
This is so frustrating. With the new controller the milling machine sometimes has its own mind. Suddenly it moves to a position it should not have moved to and I have to start over. Cutting through 10mm Lexan is done 0.5mm or 1mm at a time and if the random move happens when the cutter is 9mm into the Lexan the cutter grinds to a smoking halt putting a tremendous load on the machine, the spindle motor and the cutter. Now the Z-axis is out of adjustment and the cutter is bent (or maybe it is the spindle motor). In a last attempt I will reinstall the old controller, try to adjust the machine and try again. Time is running out.
Jun 13
admineOrbo replication 2 Orbo, Steorn
Finally I have received and installed the new 3D controller for the Profiler milling machine. Then I wrote a test file with G-codes, but it didn’t work right away. Seems that the controller takes feed rate as mm/sec, but the control program (ColiDrive) expects mm/min in files. I have contacted Colinbus support asking for a file format specification. I have also readjusted the Z-axis – everybody say it’s a bitch to do it and it really is. Now I believe it is as good as it can be and the nNext step will be to start milling….
Jun 01
admineOrbo replication 2 Orbo, Steorn
I went to a local glass shop today to get some Lexan. The pieces I need are relatively small and they had leftovers I got at a reduced price. I guess they knocked off 70-75 % which I really appreciate because Lexan is expensive. Plexiglas is less expensive, but not an option because it melts in the milling machine. If I can find the best milling bit, spindle speed and feed rate for the job I am quite sure the melting can be avoided. Lexan can also be difficult to mill, but I have found a way that works.
Yesterday I ordered and paid for a new 3D controller board for the Colinbus Profiler milling machine. This will replace the 2.5D controller board currently in the machine. As I said earlier there is a problem with the machine and it was either necessary to repair the 2.5D controller or upgrade to a 3D controller. The new controller can read G-code, it can be configured by software and I believe it can be flashed when there is a new firmware release.
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