ShopBot Indexer

[JohnHoffmann]

I am considering whether to get an indexer for my shopbot and would like to contact/visit someone who has one in SE Michigan. I live in the Thumb so all of the Metro Detroit would be OK. email response

[tom_fiddler]

Good luck on your indexer search.
There seems to be a lot of people that buy them, but most seem to not use them.
The people that do, make some incredible things.
If you really have a need for one, and believe that need will make a profit. I would say pull the trigger.

[myxpykalix]

John,
i'm not in Michigan but i've done a lot with a indexer. If i can answer questions or help, you can email me at myxpykalix@hotmail.com

When i bought my shopbot it was with an indexer and with the overall intent to use it more then the table. I built a a custom table with the help from Scott Cox (where has he disappearred to?)

To me the indexer is the single best addon to help create different things then any other addition to your bot. Soon enough you will be doing stuff like this:eek:

[tom_fiddler]

Jack is there a link to the making of the piece in the first pic?

If not I am coming to your shop soon.

Also do you have any trouble with your table staying level with the drop?

[myxpykalix]

Also do you have any trouble with your table staying level with the drop?

I don't understand the last part of your question "with the drop"?

Do you mean with the indexer bay? If so, just check out how beefy this table is, there is almost no chance it is going to not stay level.
I've never had any issues with getting out of level on the table. Now the mdf sacrificial board i have to cut down occassionally because from one end to the next i have about a 5 thou difference and need to replace my mdf.

What you see on the first picture is a super secret process only revealed on a need to know basis for only those who have top secret clearance...:rolleyes:

Actually it isn't nearly as complicated as you might think, but there are some tricks to rigging and jigging to keep it from breaking while cutting.
There are no links but i think i might have some pictures somewhere and when you're ready to tackle some projects i can find them and help you..:D

[tom_fiddler]

Also do you have any trouble with your table staying level with the drop?

I don't understand the last part of your question "with the drop"?

Do you mean with the indexer bay? If so, just check out how beefy this table is, there is almost no chance it is going to not stay level.
I've never had any issues with getting out of level on the table. Now the mdf sacrificial board i have to cut down occassionally because from one end to the next i have about a 5 thou difference and need to replace my mdf.

What you see on the first picture is a super secret process only revealed on a need to know basis for only those who have top secret clearance...:rolleyes:

Actually it isn't nearly as complicated as you might think, but there are some tricks to rigging and jigging to keep it from breaking while cutting.
There are no links but i think i might have some pictures somewhere and when you're ready to tackle some projects i can find them and help you..:D


I thought there may be some flex in the "U" part of your table.
Where the indexer sits.
Your setup looks great

I have just finished machining pulleys and am working on the stepper mount.
But my indexer just turned !! (Holding the stepper in place by hand)

So I am about two weeks out from getting Double top secret, Double National factory back order clearance.

[myxpykalix]

Until you learn the "Shopbot Handshake" i'm afraid we can't let you into the
"inner circle"....do a little research and you should figure it out....
google is your friend...:D

[ron brown]

I'll dive in here and ask a few ignorant questions .....

I just finished putting heat sinks on my G203 drivers and added a 5th driver for the new and important "A" axis. As I have two 30:1 Worm drive 8 minute backlash stepper motor setups, I'm thinking about adding a second 'A' that will have the ability to tilt. I will have Horizontal 'A', Vertical 'A' and Vertical and Tilting 'A'.

Ignorant question: Is there a thread that discusses the 4th axis and does it somewhat well?

I understand I can (or at least I think I can) layout any V carving and many other things using "Pi" as the second axis area.

I also understand my thoughts of a Horizontal A and the Horizontal and tilting A I will be in the land of the unknown mean fairy god mother. I actually want to to build a few chairs in the future and figure I will use it to bore the holes for the back stays/slats, arm rests and legs. I've been contemplating the geometry for some time and think is will not be that difficult (sure).

Thanks,

Ron

[myxpykalix]

Ron,
In as far as the technical questions you ask go, Brady would be the best to answer some of those. But you might want to check out some of the legacy videos that talk about the 5th axis and how they accomplish turning tapers and tapered spirals, ect.

I had a manual legacy ornamental mill and could mill spiral tapers easier then i can on my shopbot but if you check out some of their videos it might give you some insight on how you could rig up your own set up.

It seems to me that you need to be able to gauge your tilt angle then once you can set that, whether it be manually or with a geared setup you can run what is basically a straight toolpath on a tilted stock.
Here is one video that gives you some ideas, check for others there:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9nUwKrzO-w

I do like the way they have their CCam software set up. The shopbot can run the resulting gcode that it puts out so if you could emulate their setups on the "5th axis" I don't know why it couldn't be duplicated on the shopbot.