When CNC Machines International (CNCMI) needed a mechanism to help its VLF series water-jet machines cut designs into carpet, it selected the DMC-2153 5-axis Ethernet motion controller from Galil Motion Control. The VLF system needs to keep the water stream tangent to the material for precise cuts. The rotary water axis must be kept tangent to the XY motion at all times. The machine allows a bevel cut to be specified up to 45‚°. Bevel cutting is useful in carpet cutting especially when fitting a logo cutout into the base. A straight edge cut would cause the logo to fall through the base material.
The DMC-2153 easily handles the motion required by the application. The XY axes controls the linear and circular patterns (rack and pinion), the Z-axis controls the height of the water jet, and the Y-axis controls two motors for gantry function. The fifth or rotary axis controls the motion of the water-jet stream by keeping it tangent to the XY motion in order to maintain precision cutting. In addition to tangential motion,
the DMC-2153 handles constant velocity, slaving, and linear and circular interpolation.
As is common with computer numerical control (CNC) machines, the VLF reads G-codes to enact motion. To accommodate this, CNCMI specified the Mach3 graphical user interface from ArtSoft to translate the G-codes into motion commands for the Galil controller. The software performs all calculations for precise control of up to six simultaneous axes using a trajectory planner that feeds the controller a series of linear interpolation commands that are 4 msec apart. The Mach3 software also comes with ready-made drivers for Galil controllers, resulting in reduced set-up time.
The CNCMI VLF works at speeds of up to 1200-in/min over carpet areas as large as 16-ft x 96-ft with a positioning accuracy to .010-in. Because water-jet cutting does not generate heat, it cuts without damaging or distorting the surrounding material.
CNC Machines International
www.cncmachines.us
Galil Motion Control
www.galilmc.com
::Design World::
Filed Under: Factory automation, Machine tools + subtractive manufacturing, Motion control • motor controls