pic: Bit Buckets 2015 Prototype Drive Pod

[AdamHeard]

Why geared so fast?

Originally Posted by asid61

That kind of speed makes me want to abandon our bridgeport and buy a laser cutter.
But the team probably wouldn't have the heart.

Why not both? Never give up the mill....

[asid61]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Why geared so fast?




Why not both? Never give up the mill....

I would take the mill home.
We might get rid of our old Grizzly lathe in favor of something that can actually cut steel in a few months, so a hobby machine might be coming my way already...

[z_beeblebrox]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Why geared so fast?

We're using Killough drive, so robot speed is 1/sqrt(2) wheel speed. We also like the simplicity of a single reduction gearbox.

Originally Posted by Amar Shah

I remember reading your laser cutter is 29x17", but how powerful is it?

I'm not certain; I think 60 or 75 W.

[JamesCH95]

Neat drive module. I like the single reduction, very simple. What sort of fasteners are you using to tie everything together?

Originally Posted by orangemoore

Well, that is assuming no one else has access to a laser cutter.
Cough Cough

Originally Posted by z_beeblebrox

Our off-season chassis took about 4 hours of laser time, including setup. This module took 9 minutes.

It's a pretty neat tool to have; we can make 2D parts faster than literally any other team.

Edit: At least as fast as any other team.

Does a 4'x8' CNC plasma cutter count? Each of these parts took 4-5 minutes of cut time (1/4in 6061 T6), and that long cut time is due to the dozens of pierces for the lightening pattern.

http://i.imgur.com/QCryxlE.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HHVwJ_C31M

The side-panels took less than 2 min each to cut from 0.032 5052 Al.

http://i.imgur.com/gU6AhRa.jpg

Or a 4'x4' CNC router? All of these parts together took about 17min of cut time, most of which was in the pocketing.

http://i.imgur.com/FgtZxiL.jpg

[Bruceb]

Exactly what wood are you burning with your laser. I say exactly because I have access to a 160 watt laser and have tried cutting 1/4 Baltic birch and if it will cut depends on where I get it.
Some cuts real nice and some will only seem to cut to the glue line then just starts burning. So, if you have any details on what you are using it would be appreciated.
Thanks

[Amar Shah]

Originally Posted by Bruceb

Exactly what wood are you burning with your laser. I say exactly because I have access to a 160 watt laser and have tried cutting 1/4 Baltic birch and if it will cut depends on where I get it.
Some cuts real nice and some will only seem to cut to the glue line then just starts burning. So, if you have any details on what you are using it would be appreciated.
Thanks

Some plywoods have glues or fillers that don't cut well, which would explain it. 160W is otherwise overkill for 1/4" plywood.

[Bruceb]

Yes it will cut an inch of pine but not some plywoods.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by z_beeblebrox

We're using Killough drive, so robot speed is 1/sqrt(2) wheel speed. We also like the simplicity of a single reduction gearbox.


I'm not certain; I think 60 or 75 W.

I think a killough actually has a root2 speed up.

[s_forbes]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

I think a killough actually has a root2 speed up.

I hadn't put much thought into it, but I believe you are correct. Those modules will probably need another reduction stage.

[z_beeblebrox]

Originally Posted by s_forbes

I hadn't put much thought into it, but I believe you are correct. Those modules will probably need another reduction stage.

Likely true. I'll look into it today.

Originally Posted by Bruceb

Exactly what wood are you burning with your laser.

.25" 5-ply Baltic Birch plyood from Woodworkers Source.

[z_beeblebrox]

Version 2, ready to be cut tomorrow. Two stages of reduction, for an adjusted robot speed of ~10 fps. Adding a reduction stage only made it ~.25" longer and wider.



Our mostly complete chassis. This will also (hopefully) be cut out tomorrow.

[Dunngeon]

Originally Posted by z_beeblebrox

Version 2, ready to be cut tomorrow. Two stages of reduction, for an adjusted robot speed of ~10 fps. Adding a reduction stage only made it ~.25" longer and wider.



Our mostly complete chassis. This will also (hopefully) be cut out tomorrow.

What settings does your team use for the cut? I just realized we have a 60W 30x15 laser cutter sitting in the other room at school.

[z_beeblebrox]

Originally Posted by Dunngeon

What settings does your team use for the cut? I just realized we have a 60W 30x15 laser cutter sitting in the other room at school.

I'm not sure; the settings for our laser aren't "real" units like Watts or Inches/ second. I'd suggest you just try different settings until you find something that works. But do try it; the laser is an amazing resource to have available.

[orangemoore]

Most laser cutters are different. If you want know the setting you can figure them out. But a good starting point is the internet and research into the laser cutter you have.

[Dunngeon]

Originally Posted by z_beeblebrox

I'm not sure; the settings for our laser aren't "real" units like Watts or Inches/ second. I'd suggest you just try different settings until you find something that works. But do try it; the laser is an amazing resource to have available.

Definitely, I wasn't trying to just copy paste settings. That rarely works in my experience. I was curious about the speeds you're able to go. Although if the laser doesn't use real units that's disapointing .