Update on CarBEN EV construction
Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 11:39 am
Greetings,
This is a 3-axis CNC machine I assembled from a kit. It cuts sheets of foam, wood, plastic, etc. from g-code files you generate from a SketchUp model. It turns a virtual model into a solid real item. I'm going to start construction of my CarBEN EV electric car.
Video of test run:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCxENFw129E
First running of a test file (and the cutting bit is not powered up) -- you can see the yellow cone pointer showing the position of the cutter bit relative to the virtual sheet on the laptop screen; while the 3 stepper motors are putting the PhlatPrinter III through its paces, as it were.
Very cool machine -- I need to come up to speed on how to generate my own g-code files to get started constructing my CarBEN EV full sized working prototype electric car!
Here's a screen capture of my initial try at laying out the 2'x8' sheet of foam in DataCAD:
In the upper right is an approximate layout of the first 2" thick foam sheet, to be cut on on my PhlatPrinter III. I need to redo it with an alignment "rod" in the SketchUp model, that will appear as 1/2" circles, like those shown on the red F2 section. I'll use dowels to align the sections as I glue them together.
I need to confirm the limits of the cutting area -- I think the righthand edge needs a 4" band (on the 2' side) so that the X-axis friction rollers can keep hold of the sheet? And that means the F2-5 red piece will need to be moved up to the second 2'x8' foam sheet.
I also need to separate the doors, hood, wheel skirts, etc. so they can be made as pieces, and I'll have to design hinges for all of them.
This is a 3-axis CNC machine I assembled from a kit. It cuts sheets of foam, wood, plastic, etc. from g-code files you generate from a SketchUp model. It turns a virtual model into a solid real item. I'm going to start construction of my CarBEN EV electric car.
Video of test run:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCxENFw129E
First running of a test file (and the cutting bit is not powered up) -- you can see the yellow cone pointer showing the position of the cutter bit relative to the virtual sheet on the laptop screen; while the 3 stepper motors are putting the PhlatPrinter III through its paces, as it were.
Very cool machine -- I need to come up to speed on how to generate my own g-code files to get started constructing my CarBEN EV full sized working prototype electric car!
Here's a screen capture of my initial try at laying out the 2'x8' sheet of foam in DataCAD:
In the upper right is an approximate layout of the first 2" thick foam sheet, to be cut on on my PhlatPrinter III. I need to redo it with an alignment "rod" in the SketchUp model, that will appear as 1/2" circles, like those shown on the red F2 section. I'll use dowels to align the sections as I glue them together.
I need to confirm the limits of the cutting area -- I think the righthand edge needs a 4" band (on the 2' side) so that the X-axis friction rollers can keep hold of the sheet? And that means the F2-5 red piece will need to be moved up to the second 2'x8' foam sheet.
I also need to separate the doors, hood, wheel skirts, etc. so they can be made as pieces, and I'll have to design hinges for all of them.