www.TK560.com

coffeehedake · Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 1:17 am Post subject:

Adding a little personal update:

I'm playing with HeeksCAD and HeeksCNC which is an open-source CAD program with a plugin for CNC that runs in Linux, Mac OS (I think) and Windows.

The software will output NC Code, which I believe is toolpath information. This is sort of a big deal, because CAM software is typically very expensive, and necessary to generate a toolpath for your Mill to do its job. It uses pycam, which is a Linux derived (python based I believe) open-source tool similar to LazyCam in Mach 3.

I'll update here if things go well.
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coffeehedake · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:45 am Post subject:

Got my MDF and Aluminum rails for building the CNC machine yesterday.

..and so it begins!
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jegner · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:56 am Post subject:

Please take some pics of your build. I would love to see how/what you are making!

coffeehedake · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:09 am Post subject:

Sure will Jegner, I'm at work at the moment, and my camera's at home. (The materials are still in my car).

I'll start a progress thread in the other subsection.
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coffeehedake · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 2:59 pm Post subject:

Got some good news on the vacuum-forming front:

I spoke to my uncle, who is a licensed contractor. It turns out, he was also the one who installed the original (still in use) breaker-box in my house, long, long ago. (Since then another secondary box was added to the garage)

My primary breaker is a 30 space box, and should have plenty of space and power to support a 30 AMP 220V line. My uncle has also offered to help me install the two breaker units, the line in the wall, and the dryer socket for the vacuum former.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/caffeinedetox/4436423514/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/caffeinedetox/4436423790/

He's asked me to build the machine, and to let him know when I am sure how much Amperage it will need to run.

That's great news, since I was so worried about the electrical aspect of the machine, it's been holding me back from moving forward with the construction. (To the point where I had stopped completely, and started researching a 110V machine instead)

Now that I've gotten the okay from an electrician, and I don't have to worry about electrocuting my noobish self, I feel much more confident in tackling this project.

Let the fun begin.
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jegner · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 7:21 am Post subject:

That sounds like good news!