I don’t understand what you are proposing.
David Lang
Sounds like a query on edge detection which is a feature on a lot of 4 axis CNC machines to detect the workpiece ( such as a chunk of metal) and zero out so you can accurately machine pockets etc. Not something I would expect is needed as long as you can jog the Maslow4 to 0,0 and track a straight edge.
Is it that or a request for running a perimeter to be sure the 4’2" job is centered enough on the 4’3" piece of plywood? Or the pice that you have already cut 3 jobs on & want to be sure that you have enough wood left for the 4th different job by running a perimeter check?
Something that I have not seen is an option to run the most outside line [an outline] of the whole job for that weird dog leg part a person need to cut to see if it fits within the scrap wood you might have on hand instead of a new piece of ply - I have limited experience with ‘other’ CNC/GCode driving apps & the interpreters [firmware] in the machine to know if that exists elsewhere - it dosen’t for the two proprietary ones I use… Yes, I could outline the item in the design software & then run that file in a ‘no-cut’ or ‘no depth’ mode, Half the time I forget or an too lazy to do so & just eyeball it with the ‘perimeter’ run.
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I like the idea of a perimeter run. It’s not currently in the software, but I don’t think it would be too hard to add at all
Some time ago I modified the work surface to make dovetail joints, but the problem was that you found exactly the zero of the x and y axes.
I thought I was drawing the piece co. Fusion for example, then fix the piece on the maslow, even at random, test the blank piece to obtain the zero and orientation of an axis, and then reorient the drawing, always keeping the origin good
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Hi Bar,
Will there be a “Maslow4 Full Kit Batch #2” on kickstarter? I guess I’m a little late! batch one is done! or how can I get one?
Please forgive the probably kindergarten question, but where/when/how do I buy one? I have a third gen, and this answers all my concerns. I found the kickstarter page that was only open for 24 hours (?).
Bar, if you are in need of help with the technical documentation, feel free to reach out to me. I’m a technical writer by profession.
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We’ve just put out the batch #2 on kickstarter, so you can get one there.
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If you were to force it downwards when the maslow 4 is not powered, perhaps by changing the cutter, could the circuit lose its position? I ask because I guess motor gearboxes don’t have a worm inside. Thank you.
Great question. Yes, you could make it move slightly when the motors are not powered on, but it would not lose it’s position. The encoders are always active so when the motors are given power again it will return to the correct location.
do you have any details regarding the encoders?
Hi,
I noticed on the M4 that the Z travel is 1.9inches. Do you know if this can be extended to 3 inches to be able to cut through 3 inch material like styrofoam?
Thanks
Even if maybe it remains electrically disconnected? Is there a buffer battery for the encoders?
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@jonatpridesleap Lots of details, we’re using these: AS5600 Datasheet by ams | Digi-Key Electronics
@Sylvain_Dorais three inches is totally possible for a soft material like foam. The only tricky bit would be getting the stepper motors with the right length of shaft for that. If there’s a demand for that I’ll order some with the longer shafts and have them available. I wouldn’t really recommend it as a general change to make because for cutting harder materials it’s going to be less rigid with that extra shaft.
I was about to say that for a shower pan like that you would have issues with the sled falling in the hole, but you’ve got those bumps there which could support it. Was that shower pan cut on an old Maslow?
There is not. If the encoders become physically disconnected from the controller they will lose position. Do you have a situation in mind where that might happen?
@bar , thanks!
is it reading off of the belt spools?
Hi Bar,
Thanks for the quick response, To answer your question, Yes the pan was cut (carved) with the Maslow. You are right about the studs (bumps), I just leave material out every 6 to 7inches so the sled traverses on top of the piece without falling. Once done, I just cut them out with a knife and sand a bit… once the fiber and epoxy is done, you can’t see the difference. I use the same process any large carves. I would love a set of longer shaft to be able to continue to do this on thick foam!
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unfortunantly, the injection molded piece is unlikely to be able to be extended
like this. That said, I expect that there will be 3d printed versions that will
be available for you to print, and I think from what I’m seeing that this will
be reasonable to do (especially with a smaller spindle) as I am thinking that
the main parts that benefit from the strength of injection molding vs 3d
printing will be the motor/belt carriers.
David Lang
remember everything is physically on the sled, you don’t detach things.
but if you do a complete power off, I expect that it will lose it’s position,
but the fix for that is to retract and re-extend every belt (and possibly have
it re-do the calibration)
David Lang
no, the motors drive the belt spool and the belts go through a pair of rollers
that have the encoder. This means that how tight the belt stacks on the spool,
how many layers there are, etc don’t matter, all that matters is the movement of
the encoder rollers. And these are toothed, so there isn’t any slip to worry
about there.
I asked about the repeatability of retracting the belts, and that is apparently
VERY good (I think Bar said 0.05mm repeatability
David Lang
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