ROBOTIC ARM MILLING FOR SCULPTURE

[TylerRobertson]

 Why would they?  As far as I know, CAMRob is entirely capable of performing that operation.  The only "odd" thing is that the original CAD files for the two busts must have been very similar, if not identical, but as I pointed out earlier, there's several possible explanations for that.

I haven't used CamROB myself - but as for the actual cutting paths, Powermill is going to be much more powerful

[TylerRobertson]

Marek,

There are some great products out there, Robotmaster, Code Breaker etc. etc. However when we kicked off all of these were a little too expensive for us. The robot was purchased new and the job we had to pay for it all fell through. Rather than end up with a 1 ton brick we wrote some software ourselves.

We have a Motoman HP165 that has a 2.5m reach and a 165kg payload. On that is mounted a 5hp 28000rpm manual ER25 collet spindle motor.

Using the CNC tool kit (http://www.cnc-toolkit.com/) and a custom written post processor we can cut very complex shapes in foam and wood to close tollarences etc.

For your application (small work pieces 1m tall) buy a new or low hour HP20 or 40 with an NX controller. Bolt on a pheumatic spindle (they're light and fast) Download the CNC tool kit and I'll sell you our postprocessor for $5k USD.

Take a look at this video  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI0E8QZBd9U  this is what you can acheive with the smaller robot. This company (tromes design in Perth WA) uses Delcam PowerMill but the results are the same as with the CNC tool kit. Alternatively we also have a Powermill post processor we wrote for another coustomer.

We provide full instructions and our software will also help you set the robot userframes just like zeroing a CNC machine.

Cheers,

Adrian
www.RoboCAM.com.au
Sydney, Australia

Why mount the spindle directly in line with axis 6?? Seems that would take away the 6th degree of flexibility..

[robocam.com.au]

Tyler,

This small robot cutting the female statute is located in Perth on the west coast of Australia. Eric owns and runs a firm called Tromes Design. Eric was my inspiration to start out. I also questioned this configuration as it essentially eliminates the 6th axis.

I've experimented with various mounting methods and have conclude that for the large format work we do, a plate mounted to the 6th axis with the tool perpendicular is the most effective method.

Adrian

[TylerRobertson]

Yes I feel the same way

[Routerguy]

Have you ever tried to do any sancing or grinding on these type of things?

[TylerRobertson]

I have yes, and on aluminum structures - works out well tooling permitting

[Jim C]

Robot Master is a good program we have used it in several projects over the years. There is also a software called Robot Works for the Solid Works CAD program.

The main reason that the spindle is often mounted in place of joint 6 is due to the torque and inertia of the spindle. They generate a large amount of twist on start up and even while running. Joint 6 is usually the smallest motor and the one most easily over torqued faulting out the arm.

As joint 6 is used to rotate the rotating tool, there is little loss in ability by replacing joint 6 with the spindle.

[TylerRobertson]

Robot Master is a good program we have used it in several projects over the years. There is also a software called Robot Works for the Solid Works CAD program.

The main reason that the spindle is often mounted in place of joint 6 is due to the torque and inertia of the spindle. They generate a large amount of twist on start up and even while running. Joint 6 is usually the smallest motor and the one most easily over torqued faulting out the arm.

As joint 6 is used to rotate the rotating tool, there is little loss in ability by replacing joint 6 with the spindle.

that makes sense, thanks!

[gianne]

Hi,
If anyone is interested, we sell "Eureka" a 3D off-line programming and simulation software, developed for cnc machines and milling robot.

Link to the web page http://www.redsrl.net/en/products/softwareproducts/eureka.html
Link to brochure  http://www.redsrl.net/flyerEureka_ENG_web.pdf

gianne