Indexer setup

[kg4mon]

I will try to post a pic of the setup. I routed a 3/8 deep x 4 in wide groove in my table for the indexer mounting plates. I have been running my shopbot kinda on autopilot for the last 2 years, I've not been doing anything out of the oridinary just cabinet parts and signs nothing like this indexing stuff. So I guess I have forgot a few things. My indexer head will always been mounted in the same place, for that matter it will probably never come off the table. So how do I come up with a seperate homing program that won't mess with the one I have to find the corner of my table?
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[kg4mon]

Well, I have run into a problem with the way I was going to mount this thing. I don't have enough travel, I will only be able to turn a 2.5 diameter. So back to the drawing board. I didn't want to mount it on the end of the table because I have plans on a dovetailing fixture and edge boring. Plus I didn't want to take it off and on to change the set up. I need some set up pics. I want to be able to turn at least a 8". Full capacity 9" would be better. Any ideas?

[myxpykalix]

I have a prt alpha and i made a table with a gully built in so that i can turn up to a 12" column. I don't know what model you have and i don't think you can do this with a prs but here is one picture.

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[kg4mon]

Yeah I seen that when searching for set up pic, that's awesome I would give anything if I had thought of that when I was putting mine together. I think mine is a prs alfa, I don't really know anymore. I have cut cabinets parts day after day and now things are a little slower and would love to do something more creative.

[myxpykalix]

If you have a prs you may be stuck with no other option then to mount it in the Y axis. However if you want to make say a 8' long column you could design it in smaller sections and dowel it together. Frankly most things like balusters, table legs, lamp bases, and much more can be made by a indexer in the Y axis.

[kg4mon]

Well, I'm up and running!!! I just decided to mount it in the x position but I mounted it right on the alum extrusion. It only gives me about a 8 round turning or a 5 1/2 sqaure blank turning capacity. But thats ok for now. Just wanted to get it up and running so I could play. So far all I've done is turn a blank round. Will post some pics later of my real first project if no one will laugh. Thanks for all the help. Rick

[myxpykalix]

Try using the "turn a blank using a partwizard profile" option so you can turn something other than round. Also to give yourself a bit more diameter to turn take a compass and draw a circle on the end of your square and then go to ther tablesaw and cut your square edges off. That will give you a bit more diameter to work with.
If you want to experiment with some spiral toolpaths I can make a few for you to play with.

[khaos]

... and then go to their tablesaw and cut your square edges off ... ooh thats good.

Almost certainly I would have come up with some elaborate idea requiring planetary alignment to work ... but no ... Jack comes out with some good old fashioned logic.
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[kg4mon]

Well, here it is. I didn't have a rope making bit, so I just used a 1/4 ballnose and done a raster toolpath. I used Artcam 2008. Jack, I would like to see some spiral toolpaths, if you wouldn't mind emailing them to me. I like to see how others do things. Thanks to everyone for the help. I'm off and running now. Uh.
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[myxpykalix]

Rick, now that is cool! How long did that take to create? With a rope spiraling bit (www.magnate.net) I can show you how to create that same design in about 2 minutes. Contact me via email and give me some deminsions of a rope design you would like (diameter and length of stock you want to make) and i'll send you a couple files to try. Do you have any regular roundover bits? What sizes?