Post by kb9jlo on Sept 29, 2016 1:48:39 GMT
With some guidance from Derek I put together some clamping fixtures that will cut out of a 254mm SQ of material (10" SQ). These are 2D DXF files and they are in mm, not inches.
The main file is clamps.dxf
(click on the image to see the name of the parts)
There are also separate DXF files for each component (might be pair - can't remember exactly how I grouped them now)
They were drawn in Autocad as 2D, again drawn in mm - in other words the units = mm. Even though for example the step blocks have 1/8" steps on them. Why? Because most of the stock we'll use will probably be fractional - but I wanted the units to be in mm so there would be no conversion required for cutting the parts.
The larger 'blocks' can screw into two of the tee nuts in the table (through a spoilboard please) and apply edge pressure to hold a part. You can use the wedges to 'wedge' the part tighter but be careful - too much pressure and you might lift the parts off the table.
You use the step blocks in conjunction with the clamps (the long narrow pieces with the slots in them) - you 'jack' up the other end of the clamp to even out the clamping pressure applied. Most machinist milling type setups will use clamps like that.
The files are 2D so you can make them any thickness you like. I'm going to make mine out of 1/2" Russian birch. But you could make them out of solid wood, MDF, whatever.
These are not copyrighted because I've basically just plagiarized every clamp design I've ever seen but please use these for yourselves and don't post the files anywhere else or I'll shut off my Google Drive share... Use these files are your own risk. I'm doing this for the heck of it. I'm getting no compensation or anything out of it - other than thrill of sharing something I designed (sort of). You need to put the DXF file in the appropriate CAM program to produce the G code. That's all part of learning how this works.
Big huge hint - if you're lost, take one of the smaller files, take Derek's Fusion 360 tutorial - import the DXF file into Fusion - make the part the thickness of the material and use Derek's CAM instructions to "help" you through. Not as hard as you think. Trust me.
drive.google.com/file/d/0B5GUFRZawYetQTA2ZGZJYW1PaUE/view?usp=sharing
If you like this I'm going to make some simple 'knobs' to go over our #10-32 screws so they'll be tool-less. Derek has a picture with the clamps and wedges in action - maybe he'll post it for us.
The main file is clamps.dxf
(click on the image to see the name of the parts)
There are also separate DXF files for each component (might be pair - can't remember exactly how I grouped them now)
They were drawn in Autocad as 2D, again drawn in mm - in other words the units = mm. Even though for example the step blocks have 1/8" steps on them. Why? Because most of the stock we'll use will probably be fractional - but I wanted the units to be in mm so there would be no conversion required for cutting the parts.
The larger 'blocks' can screw into two of the tee nuts in the table (through a spoilboard please) and apply edge pressure to hold a part. You can use the wedges to 'wedge' the part tighter but be careful - too much pressure and you might lift the parts off the table.
You use the step blocks in conjunction with the clamps (the long narrow pieces with the slots in them) - you 'jack' up the other end of the clamp to even out the clamping pressure applied. Most machinist milling type setups will use clamps like that.
The files are 2D so you can make them any thickness you like. I'm going to make mine out of 1/2" Russian birch. But you could make them out of solid wood, MDF, whatever.
These are not copyrighted because I've basically just plagiarized every clamp design I've ever seen but please use these for yourselves and don't post the files anywhere else or I'll shut off my Google Drive share... Use these files are your own risk. I'm doing this for the heck of it. I'm getting no compensation or anything out of it - other than thrill of sharing something I designed (sort of). You need to put the DXF file in the appropriate CAM program to produce the G code. That's all part of learning how this works.
Big huge hint - if you're lost, take one of the smaller files, take Derek's Fusion 360 tutorial - import the DXF file into Fusion - make the part the thickness of the material and use Derek's CAM instructions to "help" you through. Not as hard as you think. Trust me.
drive.google.com/file/d/0B5GUFRZawYetQTA2ZGZJYW1PaUE/view?usp=sharing
If you like this I'm going to make some simple 'knobs' to go over our #10-32 screws so they'll be tool-less. Derek has a picture with the clamps and wedges in action - maybe he'll post it for us.
