X Power Feed

[EdK]

I've got the power feed mostly modeled, done in PLA. Designed after Phil Vandelay's power feed. I like the simple engage/disengage feature.
I need to make the rods longer because there isn't much support when it's in the disengaged mode.

Phil's Power Feed Video

Ed

Disengaged.

   

Engaged.

   

[EdK]

I reprinted some of the parts to make them stronger. I'm going to try running the power feed using the PLA parts and see what happens. I won't be doing any milling, just running the table back and forth. But first I need to program the Arduino with a deceleration when switching directions. As it is now, it does a hard stop then reverses. It's quite a jolt to the motor.

Ed

   

[EdK]

After too much time I finally found the bug in my deceleration code. An "if" statement inside of an "if" statement that should have been outside of the first statement. I'm a bit rusty at coding. Use it or lose it, that's what happened.  

It's working like a champ now. I'll test it on the mill tomorrow.

Ed

[EdK]

I finally got around to trying it on the mill. Lots of torque, couldn't even slow it down by pushing against the table. Way too slow for a rapid traverse though. I think I'll look for a motor that's 200 - 250 RPMs. The one I have now will work for raising and lowering the head so it wasn't a wasted purchase.

Ed