PIC

[imsly0]

I WANT TO BUILD A PLATE MAKER HOW DOES IT WIRE TO THE COMPUTER DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY PICTURES OF FROM THE COMPUTOR TO THE HEAD.

[acourtjester]

Whose electronics are you using some have extra relays that would turn the scribe on/off.
If you are not using the torch when you plan to use the scribe you could wire the torch on/off relay to trigger power to the scribe.
This would be an add on circuit that would be removed when the torch is used (cannot use both at the same time) with this setup.

[imsly0]

I have a Eagle Plasma table.

[acourtjester]

How well do you understand the electronic circuits that control your table?
Do you know where and how limit switch are hook up (if you have them)?
Do you know where and how the motors are hook to the drivers?
Do you know how your Plasma torch is connected to trigger the torch?
Do you have a single board the everything is connected to or do you have separate circuit board like a BOB and separate motor drives?

[tcaudle]

Unless its changed, the Eagle tables use the Chinese TB6560 driver cards and it a combo BoB and motor driver (all for $39.95!) . It only has one relay output and if its being used with the torch then you may be SOL as far as using a plate marker from inside the software. Then you need a POST that will do the offsets and change the output relay to trigger the solenoid. I am sure the Eagle guy can tell you how to do it.

[imsly0]

I am not sure if he would no, I don't know all the terms to ask him, if you know the terms that would be so helpful, thanks for your time.

[sphurley]

As Tom says there is a lot to it. The scribe mounts "near" the torch, it could be left, right, front, back. Building and mounting a pneumatic slider is not that difficult. Now comes the fun. If you use sheetcam, or some other program to create your G-code, you need a post processor that will have a "tool" that is your scribe. That tool needs some offset numbers so it will line your scribe up right with the torch. Then the post needs a G-code to turn on the solenoids that will lower the scribe and start it with the air.
I would just ask him point blank, "have you ever sold a scribe for your machine".

[imsly0]

MY table uses sheet cam and Mach3 to run, he does not sale a scribe for this machine. he started making this about five years ago. it is a good table for the hobbyist like my self, doing signs and such, for the money I cant compline. but I wanted to do more know sense I understand how it works, I thought about getting rid of this one and buying a Plasma Cam, but I thought I would check to see if I could build one first, any Ideas?

[acourtjester]

First thing to ask yourself is do I want to have the torch and scribe mounted together (near each other) and be used with the same G-code (combined operation). Or using them as a separate operation (Plasma cutting) or (scribe marking). The combined setup requires a post processor and all the components mounted to operate together. A separate setup would mean changing mounts, plasma torch and scribe and it's components when changing operations. For a Fab shop the combined operation would be the way to go. But for the DIY guy with time to swap things and a lower budget the separate setup may be the way to go. I started with a separate operation then moved to the combined setup but have not really done many jobs the used both, my scribe can be mounted quickly but most of the time it is on the shelf. Do a search here and you will find different mountings for scribes and how they are setup. There is no black magic about it.

[imsly0]

so if I do it by changing out the cutter and placing it with the scriber, do I need to get another post processor or how do I make this work. I am new to this so any info is help full. Thanks for any help.

[acourtjester]

When I did that I used a standard post processor (Mach 3 plasma) I had the output # one going to a plug that I could change between plasma and scribe.
When in Plasma it triggered the torch on when I changed to scribe I changed the plug to a circuit that triggered the scribe. This as a SSR the switched power to 2 solenoids one was for the scribe air supply. And the other was for the air cylinder that pushed the scribe down, it had a internal spring return to pull it up. It work similar to plasma except there was not need for pierce height and delay. I move the scribe around just as it did with the torch the X and Y formed the markings and the Z just moved the scribe to the distance above the metal so the cylinder then made the scribe contact the metal.

newer scribe mount.JPG

[imsly0]

Thanks So much.

[imsly0]

what kind of solenoids did you use do you have a pic of what they looked like and what the wiring looked like going into the box?

[acourtjester]

Here is a solenoid from eBay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-4-110V-AC-Ele ... SwyQtV1rU1
I used one and 2 regulators I will draw a configuration diagram in a while so you can see what it looks like.

[imsly0]

THANKS AGAIN.

[acourtjester]

simple diagram for air scribe

first.jpg

[imsly0]

this looks great, what did you use for your 5 volt supply, and where did you 120 volt ac come from to the relay.

[acourtjester]

I build a controller cabinet with all the electronics in one and I use +5 volts and +12 volts from the computer power supply for relay power.
I run a separate 120 Volt AC supply to the table and that is where I attached a separate box with the relay and solenoid for the scribe.

pneumatic controller.JPG

pneumatic controller (1).JPG

[imsly0]

THAT IS GREAT THANKS AGAIN.

[sphurley]

This looks great, you will need to add and oiler if you plan to run the scriber much. It doesn't need much.
Make sure the regulators will reverse vent, some don't and then the spring return has issues. Air should bleed out the scribe based on the drawing.

[imsly0]

Were did you get the 5 volt coil relay from? I hate to ask but what is BoB Board?

[imsly0]

do you have a pic of the inside of the box?

[imsly0]

the relay look different then the one on ebay the one in the picture looks like one piece, I just want to make sure I get the same as what you have, again thanks tons.

[imsly0]

do I need a oiler and if so were do I get the right one? and if I figure out how to make it with another post processor would I need another solenoid?