Standalone Indexer Build

[rej]

brady, can you show some pics of your extra rollers?

[Brady Watson]

1st post, 5th pic

There should be a new thread if you have additional questions about this so that we don't hijack Stan's build thread.

-B

[jimboy]

That looks great. Waiting to see some finished projects
James

[br928]

Last weekend I got around to putting my pile of ShopBot control components in an enclosure for the indexer.

I am using an 4G board with Gecko G201X's and a G202 (It's what I had on hand). I am using an 48VDC power supply for the motor power and a computer PS for the logic power.

A 4 channel relay board was added to enable a remote start/stop station for the router. The router can only be started manually when output #4 is on. This will also turn the router off when the end of the cut file is reached or if the E-Stop is hit. The green 'Start' PB is lit when output#4 turns on and indicates a permissive to start the router. Once pressed the red 'Stop' PB is lit and indicates the router contactor is energized (If the router main switch is on, the router starts). When output #4 turns off the contactor drops out, the router stops and all lights are turns off.

A cooling fan will keep the enclosure at room temperature. I picked up a pleated air filter for a lawn mower to install over the intake to keep the fine dust out (I haven't installed it yet).

[br928]

This weekend a stand for the indexer and control box was built.

Castors were used to move the indexer when not being used.

E-Chain off Ebay was used for cable management from the control box to the gantry. Looks like it will get its share of sawdust being located under the gantry!

I am still thinking about some type of panels on the front and rear to help contain the sawdust. Anyone have any ideas? Maybe some cheap paneling.

[bleeth]

Terrific Stan. Looks like you got it licked in time to do a cane for Angus!

[myxpykalix]

i think that is fantastic, my only question is why didn't you go bigger? it seemed to me that you didn't get much more then if you had just built it on the bot.
what are you thinking you will be making with this setup?

i do like the idea that you can run this while also running your bot.
all in all it looks extremely well made you should be proud of your work, great job!

[br928]

Jack,

I had it built onto my ShopBot but never used it.

The length was fixed by the rails I bought from another Botter who upgraded from a 4' to an 8' machine. These rails probably give me 12 to 18 inches more length than I had before. I would think this will cover 90% or more of the projects I have seen posted.

Dave,

I think I am better at designing machines than canes! Now I have a learning curve with the rotary wrapping software. But, you have to have a car before you can learn to drive one. Now I have a better incentive to invest the time required.

[myxpykalix]

stan u are correct in that probably 90% of what you might want to make you will be able to do and frankly if you need say a longer bedpost you can figure out a design that will allow you to be able to make it in sections and dowel it together.

its just that other 10% that you are going to regret...

if you need advice on some spirals, i made a app to write spiral sbp files, i could make you something if needed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSy8P...eature=related

[jimboy]

Stan,
Excellent project. Wish I had the time to undertake something like this.
Jim