nozzles under Mach3 control

   So after many months of research, reading ,trial and error. I finally got the servo coolant nozzles to be controlled directly by mach3.  For testing a modbus sketch from the mach3 site was modified. A brain was created with a( DRO input>some math>modbus output) Now it seems very simple. I think most of my problems came from being new at all this. The pieces slowly came together and poof it started working.

With this more functions can be added like automatic adjusting for depth of cutting and drilling. Even for the width of the cutter. I can also get rid of the switch that controls tool cleaning function by sending the Zaxis height and tool change info to the arduino.

 My plan is to redo the shield, putting all the components on one board. It will be relocated to the CNC control panel.
 Will contain.
 2 out puts for air solenoids maybe 3.
 2 rotary encoders with push buttons for adjustments instead of  pots, can get rid of 2 of them this way.
 2 pots for the air blast on and off.
 passive components and connectors.
 

Arduino sketch.

/*
 Modbus over serial line - RTU Slave Arduino Sketch

 By Juan Pablo Zometa : jpmzometa@gmail.com
 http://sites.google.com/site/jpmzometa/
 and Samuel Marco: sammarcoarmengol@gmail.com
 and Andras Tucsni.

 These functions implement functions 3, 6, and 16 (read holding registers,
 preset single register and preset multiple registers) of the
 Modbus RTU Protocol, to be used over the Arduino serial connection.

 This implementation DOES NOT fully comply with the Modbus specifications.

 This Arduino adaptation is derived from the work
 By P.Costigan email: phil@pcscada.com.au http://pcscada.com.au

 These library of functions are designed to enable a program send and
 receive data from a device that communicates using the Modbus protocol.

 Copyright (C) 2000 Philip Costigan  P.C. SCADA LINK PTY. LTD.

 This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
 it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
 the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
 (at your option) any later version.

 This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
 but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
 MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
 GNU General Public License for more details.

 You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
 Foundation, Inc., 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.

 The functions included here have been derived from the
 Modicon Modbus Protocol Reference Guide
 which can be obtained from Schneider at www.schneiderautomation.com.

 This code has its origins with
 paul@pmcrae.freeserve.co.uk (http://www.pmcrae.freeserve.co.uk)
 who wrote a small program to read 100 registers from a modbus slave.

 I have used his code as a catalist to produce this more functional set
 of functions. Thanks paul.
 */


/*
 * configure_mb_slave(baud, parity, tx_en_pin)
 *
 * sets the communication parameters for of the serial line.
 *
 * baud: baudrate in bps (typical values 9600, 19200... 115200)
 * parity: a single character sets the parity mode (character frame format):
 *         'n' no parity (8N1); 'e' even parity (8E1), 'o' for odd parity (8O1).
 * tx_en_pin: arduino pin number that controls transmision/reception
 *        of an external half-duplex device (e.g. a RS485 interface chip).
 *        0 or 1 disables this function (for a two-device network)
 *        >2 for point-to-multipoint topology (e.g. several arduinos)
 */



 #include <Servo.h>
void configure_mb_slave(long baud, char parity, char txenpin);

/*
 * update_mb_slave(slave_id, holding_regs_array, number_of_regs)
 *
 * checks if there is any valid request from the modbus master. If there is,
 * performs the action requested
 *
 * slave: slave id (1 to 127)
 * regs: an array with the holding registers. They start at address 1 (master point of view)
 * regs_size: total number of holding registers.
 * returns: 0 if no request from master,
 * NO_REPLY (-1) if no reply is sent to the master
 * an exception code (1 to 4) in case of a modbus exceptions
 * the number of bytes sent as reply ( > 4) if OK.
 */

int update_mb_slave(unsigned char slave, int *regs,
unsigned int regs_size);

int t1,t2,t3,t4,t5 ;

/* Modbus RTU common parameters, the Master MUST use the same parameters */
enum {
        MB_SLAVE = 1, /* modbus slave id */
};
/* slave registers example */
enum {      
        MB_REG0,
        MB_REG1,
        // line below is for holding registers.    'vinny'
        MB_REGS = 40 /* total number of registers on slave */
};

int regs[MB_REGS]; /* this is the slave's modbus data map */

Servo servo1;  // create servo object to control a servo
Servo servo2;
int val;    // variable to store the angle

void setup()
{
        /* Modbus setup example, the master must use the same COM parameters */
        /* 115200 bps, 8N1, two-device network */
        //  changed to 19200  bps, 8N1, two-device network 'vinny'
        configure_mb_slave(9600, 'n', 1);
         servo1.attach(9);  // attaches the servo on pin 9 to the servo object
         servo2.attach(10);
}


void loop()
{
        /* This is all for the Modbus slave */
update_mb_slave(MB_SLAVE, regs, MB_REGS) ;

//regs[0]=analogRead(A0);     commented out not used for coolant nozzles
//regs[1]=analogRead(A1);     part of original sketch  using pots for FRO

 val=regs[0];

  servo1.write(val);                  // sets the servo position according to the scaled value
  servo2.write(val);
  //delay(15);              


}

/****************************************************************************
 * BEGIN MODBUS RTU SLAVE FUNCTIONS
 ****************************************************************************/

/* global variables */
unsigned int Txenpin = 0;        /* Enable transmission pin, used on RS485 networks */


/* enum of supported modbus function codes. If you implement a new one, put its function code here ! */
enum {
        FC_READ_REGS  = 0x03,   //Read contiguous block of holding register
        FC_WRITE_REG  = 0x06,   //Write single holding register
        FC_WRITE_REGS = 0x10    //Write block of contiguous registers
};

/* supported functions. If you implement a new one, put its function code into this array! */
const unsigned char fsupported[] = { FC_READ_REGS, FC_WRITE_REG, FC_WRITE_REGS };

/* constants */
enum {
        MAX_READ_REGS = 0x7D,
        MAX_WRITE_REGS = 0x7B,
        MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH = 256
};


enum {
        RESPONSE_SIZE = 6,
        EXCEPTION_SIZE = 3,
        CHECKSUM_SIZE = 2
};

/* exceptions code */
enum {
        NO_REPLY = -1,
        EXC_FUNC_CODE = 1,
        EXC_ADDR_RANGE = 2,
        EXC_REGS_QUANT = 3,
        EXC_EXECUTE = 4
};

/* positions inside the query/response array */
enum {
        SLAVE = 0,
        FUNC,
        START_H,
        START_L,
        REGS_H,
        REGS_L,
        BYTE_CNT
};


/*
CRC

 INPUTS:
  buf   ->  Array containing message to be sent to controller.          
  start ->  Start of loop in crc counter, usually 0.
  cnt   ->  Amount of bytes in message being sent to controller/
 OUTPUTS:
  temp  ->  Returns crc byte for message.
 COMMENTS:
  This routine calculates the crc high and low byte of a message.
  Note that this crc is only used for Modbus, not Modbus+ etc.
 ****************************************************************************/

unsigned int crc(unsigned char *buf, unsigned char start,
unsigned char cnt)
{
        unsigned char i, j;
        unsigned temp, temp2, flag;

        temp = 0xFFFF;

        for (i = start; i < cnt; i++) {
                temp = temp ^ buf[i];

                for (j = 1; j <= 8; j++) {
                        flag = temp & 0x0001;
                        temp = temp >> 1;
                        if (flag)
                                temp = temp ^ 0xA001;
                }
        }

        /* Reverse byte order. */
        temp2 = temp >> 8;
        temp = (temp << 8) | temp2;
        temp &= 0xFFFF;

        return (temp);
}




/***********************************************************************
 *
 * The following functions construct the required query into
 * a modbus query packet.
 *
 ***********************************************************************/

/*
 * Start of the packet of a read_holding_register response
 */
void build_read_packet(unsigned char slave, unsigned char function,
unsigned char count, unsigned char *packet)
{
        packet[SLAVE] = slave;
        packet[FUNC] = function;
        packet[2] = count * 2;
}

/*
 * Start of the packet of a preset_multiple_register response
 */
void build_write_packet(unsigned char slave, unsigned char function,
unsigned int start_addr,
unsigned char count,
unsigned char *packet)
{
        packet[SLAVE] = slave;
        packet[FUNC] = function;
        packet[START_H] = start_addr >> 8;
        packet[START_L] = start_addr & 0x00ff;
        packet[REGS_H] = 0x00;
        packet[REGS_L] = count;
}

/*
 * Start of the packet of a write_single_register response
 */
void build_write_single_packet(unsigned char slave, unsigned char function,
        unsigned int write_addr, unsigned int reg_val, unsigned char* packet)
{
        packet[SLAVE] = slave;
        packet[FUNC] = function;
        packet[START_H] = write_addr >> 8;
        packet[START_L] = write_addr & 0x00ff;
        packet[REGS_H] = reg_val >> 8;
        packet[REGS_L] = reg_val & 0x00ff;
}


/*
 * Start of the packet of an exception response
 */
void build_error_packet(unsigned char slave, unsigned char function,
unsigned char exception, unsigned char *packet)
{
        packet[SLAVE] = slave;
        packet[FUNC] = function + 0x80;
        packet[2] = exception;
}


/*************************************************************************
 *
 * modbus_query( packet, length)
 *
 * Function to add a checksum to the end of a packet.
 * Please note that the packet array must be at least 2 fields longer than
 * string_length.
 **************************************************************************/

void modbus_reply(unsigned char *packet, unsigned char string_length)
{
        int temp_crc;

        temp_crc = crc(packet, 0, string_length);
        packet[string_length] = temp_crc >> 8;
        string_length++;
        packet[string_length] = temp_crc & 0x00FF;
}



/***********************************************************************
 *
 * send_reply( query_string, query_length )
 *
 * Function to send a reply to a modbus master.
 * Returns: total number of characters sent
 ************************************************************************/

int send_reply(unsigned char *query, unsigned char string_length)
{
        unsigned char i;

        if (Txenpin > 1) { // set MAX485 to speak mode
                UCSR0A=UCSR0A |(1 << TXC0);
                digitalWrite( Txenpin, HIGH);
                delay(1);
        }

        modbus_reply(query, string_length);
        string_length += 2;

        for (i = 0; i < string_length; i++) {
                Serial.write(query[i]);
        }

        if (Txenpin > 1) {// set MAX485 to listen mode
                while (!(UCSR0A & (1 << TXC0)));
                digitalWrite( Txenpin, LOW);
        }

        return i; /* it does not mean that the write was succesful, though */
}

/***********************************************************************
 *
 * receive_request( array_for_data )
 *
 * Function to monitor for a request from the modbus master.
 *
 * Returns: Total number of characters received if OK
 * 0 if there is no request
 * A negative error code on failure
 ***********************************************************************/

int receive_request(unsigned char *received_string)
{
        int bytes_received = 0;

        /* FIXME: does Serial.available wait 1.5T or 3.5T before exiting the loop? */
        while (Serial.available()) {
                received_string[bytes_received] = Serial.read();
                bytes_received++;
                if (bytes_received >= MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH)
                        return NO_REPLY; /* port error */
        }

        return (bytes_received);
}


/*********************************************************************
 *
 * modbus_request(slave_id, request_data_array)
 *
 * Function to the correct request is returned and that the checksum
 * is correct.
 *
 * Returns: string_length if OK
 * 0 if failed
 * Less than 0 for exception errors
 *
 * Note: All functions used for sending or receiving data via
 *      modbus return these return values.
 *
 **********************************************************************/

int modbus_request(unsigned char slave, unsigned char *data)
{
        int response_length;
        unsigned int crc_calc = 0;
        unsigned int crc_received = 0;
        unsigned char recv_crc_hi;
        unsigned char recv_crc_lo;

        response_length = receive_request(data);

        if (response_length > 0) {
                crc_calc = crc(data, 0, response_length - 2);
                recv_crc_hi = (unsigned) data[response_length - 2];
                recv_crc_lo = (unsigned) data[response_length - 1];
                crc_received = data[response_length - 2];
                crc_received = (unsigned) crc_received << 8;
                crc_received =
                        crc_received | (unsigned) data[response_length - 1];

                /*********** check CRC of response ************/
                if (crc_calc != crc_received) {
                        return NO_REPLY;
                }

                /* check for slave id */
                if (slave != data[SLAVE]) {
                        return NO_REPLY;
                }
        }
        return (response_length);
}

/*********************************************************************
 *
 * validate_request(request_data_array, request_length, available_regs)
 *
 * Function to check that the request can be processed by the slave.
 *
 * Returns: 0 if OK
 * A negative exception code on error
 *
 **********************************************************************/

int validate_request(unsigned char *data, unsigned char length,
unsigned int regs_size)
{
        int i, fcnt = 0;
        unsigned int regs_num = 0;
        unsigned int start_addr = 0;
        unsigned char max_regs_num;

        /* check function code */
        for (i = 0; i < sizeof(fsupported); i++) {
                if (fsupported[i] == data[FUNC]) {
                        fcnt = 1;
                        break;
                }
        }
        if (0 == fcnt)
                return EXC_FUNC_CODE;

        if (FC_WRITE_REG == data[FUNC]) {
                /* For function write single reg, this is the target reg.*/
                regs_num = ((int) data[START_H] << 8) + (int) data[START_L];
                if (regs_num >= regs_size)
                        return EXC_ADDR_RANGE;
                return 0;
        }
     
        /* For functions read/write regs, this is the range. */
        regs_num = ((int) data[REGS_H] << 8) + (int) data[REGS_L];
             
        /* check quantity of registers */
        if (FC_READ_REGS == data[FUNC])
                max_regs_num = MAX_READ_REGS;
        else if (FC_WRITE_REGS == data[FUNC])
                max_regs_num = MAX_WRITE_REGS;

        if ((regs_num < 1) || (regs_num > max_regs_num))
                return EXC_REGS_QUANT;

        /* check registers range, start address is 0 */
        start_addr = ((int) data[START_H] << 8) + (int) data[START_L];
        if ((start_addr + regs_num) > regs_size)
                return EXC_ADDR_RANGE;

        return 0; /* OK, no exception */
}



/************************************************************************
 *
 * write_regs(first_register, data_array, registers_array)
 *
 * writes into the slave's holding registers the data in query,
 * starting at start_addr.
 *
 * Returns:   the number of registers written
 ************************************************************************/

int write_regs(unsigned int start_addr, unsigned char *query, int *regs)
{
        int temp;
        unsigned int i;

        for (i = 0; i < query[REGS_L]; i++) {
                /* shift reg hi_byte to temp */
                temp = (int) query[(BYTE_CNT + 1) + i * 2] << 8;
                /* OR with lo_byte           */
                temp = temp | (int) query[(BYTE_CNT + 2) + i * 2];

                regs[start_addr + i] = temp;
        }
        return i;
}

/************************************************************************
 *
 * preset_multiple_registers(slave_id, first_register, number_of_registers,
 * data_array, registers_array)
 *
 * Write the data from an array into the holding registers of the slave.
 *
 *************************************************************************/

int preset_multiple_registers(unsigned char slave,
unsigned int start_addr,
unsigned char count,
unsigned char *query,
int *regs)
{
        unsigned char function = FC_WRITE_REGS; /* Preset Multiple Registers */
        int status = 0;
        unsigned char packet[RESPONSE_SIZE + CHECKSUM_SIZE];

        build_write_packet(slave, function, start_addr, count, packet);

        if (write_regs(start_addr, query, regs)) {
                status = send_reply(packet, RESPONSE_SIZE);
        }

        return (status);
}


/************************************************************************
 *
 * write_single_register(slave_id, write_addr, data_array, registers_array)
 *
 * Write a single int val into a single holding register of the slave.
 *
 *************************************************************************/

int write_single_register(unsigned char slave,
        unsigned int write_addr, unsigned char *query, int *regs)
{
        unsigned char function = FC_WRITE_REG; /* Function: Write Single Register */
        int status = 0;
        unsigned int reg_val;
        unsigned char packet[RESPONSE_SIZE + CHECKSUM_SIZE];

        reg_val = query[REGS_H] << 8 | query[REGS_L];
        build_write_single_packet(slave, function, write_addr, reg_val, packet);
        regs[write_addr] = (int) reg_val;
/*
        written.start_addr=write_addr;
        written.num_regs=1;
*/
        status = send_reply(packet, RESPONSE_SIZE);  

        return (status);
}


/************************************************************************
 *
 * read_holding_registers(slave_id, first_register, number_of_registers,
 * registers_array)
 *
 * reads the slave's holdings registers and sends them to the Modbus master
 *
 *************************************************************************/

int read_holding_registers(unsigned char slave, unsigned int start_addr,

unsigned char reg_count, int *regs)
{
        unsigned char function = 0x03; /* Function 03: Read Holding Registers */
        int packet_size = 3;
        int status;
        unsigned int i;
        unsigned char packet[MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH];

        build_read_packet(slave, function, reg_count, packet);

        for (i = start_addr; i < (start_addr + (unsigned int) reg_count);
      i++) {
                        packet[packet_size] = regs[i] >> 8;
                packet_size++;
                packet[packet_size] = regs[i] & 0x00FF;
                packet_size++;
        }

        status = send_reply(packet, packet_size);

        return (status);
}


void configure_mb_slave(long baud, char parity, char txenpin)
{
        Serial.begin(baud);

        switch (parity) {
        case 'e': // 8E1
                UCSR0C |= ((1<<UPM01) | (1<<UCSZ01) | (1<<UCSZ00));
                //      UCSR0C &= ~((1<<UPM00) | (1<<UCSZ02) | (1<<USBS0));
                break;
        case 'o': // 8O1
                UCSR0C |= ((1<<UPM01) | (1<<UPM00) | (1<<UCSZ01) | (1<<UCSZ00));
                //      UCSR0C &= ~((1<<UCSZ02) | (1<<USBS0));
                break;
        case 'n': // 8N1
                UCSR0C |= ((1<<UCSZ01) | (1<<UCSZ00));
                //      UCSR0C &= ~((1<<UPM01) | (1<<UPM00) | (1<<UCSZ02) | (1<<USBS0));
                break;              
        default:
                break;
        }

        if (txenpin > 1) { // pin 0 & pin 1 are reserved for RX/TX
                Txenpin = txenpin; /* set global variable */
                pinMode(Txenpin, OUTPUT);
                digitalWrite(Txenpin, LOW);
        }

        return;
}

/*
 * update_mb_slave(slave_id, holding_regs_array, number_of_regs)
 *
 * checks if there is any valid request from the modbus master. If there is,
 * performs the action requested
 */

unsigned long Nowdt = 0;
unsigned int lastBytesReceived;
const unsigned long T35 = 5;

int update_mb_slave(unsigned char slave, int *regs,
unsigned int regs_size)
{
        unsigned char query[MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH];
        unsigned char errpacket[EXCEPTION_SIZE + CHECKSUM_SIZE];
        unsigned int start_addr;
        int exception;
        int length = Serial.available();
        unsigned long now = millis();

        if (length == 0) {
                lastBytesReceived = 0;
                return 0;
        }

        if (lastBytesReceived != length) {
                lastBytesReceived = length;
                Nowdt = now + T35;
                return 0;
        }
        if (now < Nowdt)
                return 0;

        lastBytesReceived = 0;

        length = modbus_request(slave, query);
        if (length < 1)
                return length;
     

        exception = validate_request(query, length, regs_size);
        if (exception) {
                        build_error_packet(slave, query[FUNC], exception,
                        errpacket);
                        send_reply(errpacket, EXCEPTION_SIZE);
                        return (exception);
        }
             
             
        start_addr = ((int) query[START_H] << 8) +
                      (int) query[START_L];
        switch (query[FUNC]) {
                case FC_READ_REGS:
                        return read_holding_registers(slave,
                        start_addr,
                        query[REGS_L],
                        regs);
                break;
                case FC_WRITE_REGS:
                        return preset_multiple_registers(slave,
                        start_addr,
                        query[REGS_L],
                        query,
                        regs);
                break;
                case FC_WRITE_REG:
                        write_single_register(slave,
                        start_addr,
                        query,
                        regs);
                break;                              
        }
}

      Have been refining the design of the power draw bar. I'm try to simplify and lower the number of parts as much as possible. I figured the guide rods could be eliminated by strengthening linear actuator. The impact socket will be used to retract the spindle lock instead of the long bolts on the sides.

     The linear actuator will use a 3/8 screw, so i can have many options. (3/8-16, 3/8-24, 3/8-8 acme.3/8-10 acme,  3/8-12 acme).  The over run spring for the actuator has been moved to the screw nut instead at the bottom. This is to make it more rigid and simpler to machine the part, plus removing the guide rod made it a must.

     The spindle lock be two interlocking dogs. In the bottom lock dog the draw bar will be "captured" to eliminate a sticking collet  from driving back and damaging something.

     A 12 point nut and socket will make engagement  more reliable. On my current system system things don't always the first time.

    In theory this is how it will work.

             Step 1  linear actuator moves down. (push out button)
             Step 2  if socket does not engage the spring inside actuator will compensate
             Step 3  slowly turn motor
             Step 4  socket engages nut (switch will verify this)
             Step 5  keep slowly turn motor ( this will turn the spindle)
             Step 6  lock dogs will engage (switch will verify this)
             Step 7 increase motor speed in reverse to loosen
             Step 8 change tool (my job)
             Step 9 increase motor speed forward to tighten (push in button)
             Step 10 move linear actuator up, socket will pull the lock dogs apart.

             Step 11 did miss any steps?

     More changes sure to come.


   

 

Nozzle assembly finished

      Finished machining the coolant nozzle this past weekend. The hub has a push to connect fitting so different size nozzles can be quickly changed. There are also three places to attach air nozzles or other future attachments.

      The hub was designed in sketchup after messing up the first one due to operator error. The second one turned out to be a much better design. 

  

Fancy nozzle

Large .5 inch nozzle

Extra long nozzle 

Disassembled showing all the parts. The round part on the right is the
first hub I made.  I messed the part up by not having the origin correct.

Servo coolant nozzles

     The progress has been slow on my updated coolant nozzles.  I took my original DXF drawings that were made in Delta cad and imported them into Sketchup8. Working in 3D is a lot better than the 2D cad.

     I call this the howitzer nozzle because main nozzle will be  .5" inches in diameter. There will also be three places to attach other types of  air nozzles. Plus the main nozzle will use a push to connect fitting to make swapping out different size and shape nozzles easier. This will replace one of my current RC servo powered system.  To see them working check out my youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcIK-PynOymd_15wWIhGyHg

These are the parts made from the original 2D DXF drawings. The only part left to make is main nozzle assembly. (the light green part)

   r.

Power drawbar

New power draw bar

       Spent the weekend using sketchup8 designing a new power draw bar for the ORK mill. My goal is to make my current electric impact draw bar a push button operated  system, with out using any pneumatics. Instead of an air cylinder to engage the impact wrench I plan to make a linear actuator. I was thinking of using a Fergelli L16 or L12 linear actuator. But at 80.00 a piece, plus the control board and the possibility of breaking the plastic ends put them out of my price range.

        The diy linear actuator will be powered by a small gear motor and controlled by an h bridge/RC servo board circuit from the website,  lets make robots .  A  50amp smart car h bridge will  control the direction and speed of the impact wrench. In the picture below the thin plate is a pcb that will contain a diy arduino , relays and the tactile switches. I'm not sure about the LCD display yet, I might eliminate it, to simplify the design. The switch panel is made in inkscape then printed, laminated and placed over the tactile switches to make it coolant proof .

        The light blue pins will engage a locking ring on the spindle, may not need this part, will try it without it.
Trying to make it a simple add on, with out having to much wiring integrated in to the main system. The arduino sketch will have a jiggle feature to help align the nut and spindle lock, with a time out function. Will also add a circuit to put the machine in E stop when the draw bar is engaged or if there is a malfunction.  Don't want an Oooop!!! moment.

     Added some electronics from the sketchup warehouse to the pcb. Used the x-ray function to check to
make sure every thing fits.

Homemade toolholder G code

Tool holder G code

   Had a request for the G code used in my homemade tool holder youtube video. The link is below. Please do a air cutting test.


                            |                              |
                            |   tool blank            |
                            |                             |          
                            |                              |
                            |_________________|
                                            /|\
                                             | X0,Y0,Z0zero is at bottom center of the tool blank.

       https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B3FU5DYe4-RXa0JsLVVhNzVEOWM&usp=sharing                                    

Slot car gears, dead PC and really cold weather.

 




 Not much has been going on in the shop lately because it has been so F*&%$ cold.  But a friend asked me to make some slot car pinion gears. I used to make them on a manual mill drill years ago. It was very time consuming. The shoulder and axle hole are still done manually,some day I will build a CNC lathe.

  So I fired up the CNC mill and nothing happened, the 12 year old PC mother board died. I took the hard drive (was only three years old) and RAM out and installed it in an Compaq PC that i picked up along road for free. Installed  Mach3 and screen sets, but my configuration save file was not up dated since the mill was built  years ago. No settings were saved for the spindle,4th axis, tool change macros and screen settings. My advice is make sure you save a config file each time the mill is upgraded.

new PC, a little smaller than the old  one

old PC

     Oh yeah,I almost forgot about the slot car gears.  Just .3125 inches in diameter with 15 teeth for the rear axle. I don't know what type of car they fit, I just make them. Will add a machining video later.