The Linux Users' Group of Davis (LUGOD) will be holding the following meeting:
Monday
October 15, 2012
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Presentation:
"Home CNC Machining with Linux"
Steve Inness
CNC (Computer Numerical Control) mills and lathes can be built
relatively inexpensively by hobbyists. These machines can machine
aluminum, steel, brass, plastic, and other materials. They can engrave
aluminum or plastic. They can route and "V-carve" wood. They can make
printed-circuit boards by machining off the thin copper layer.
This meeting will demonstrate actual machining, describe the
electronics, and show how to install and use free open-source software
under Linux.
Attendees will get a chance to take home their own engraved/machined
object.
About LinuxCNC:
LinuxCNC (previously "Enhanced Machine controller") is an open
source software system to implement numerical control capability --
the automation of machine tools (e.g., milling machines and lathes)
that are operated by abstractly-programmed commands (as opposed to
controlled manually via handwheels or levers, or mechanically-automated
via cams alone) -- using general purpose computers (PCs).
Originally developed by NIST (the National Institute of Standards and
Technology) as a 'reference implementaton' of the industry standard
language for numerical control of machining operations (RS-274D,
aka G-code), the project demonstrated the feasibility of an advanced
numerical control system using off-the-shelf PC hardware running
FreeBSD or Linux.
LinuxCNC provides several graphical user interfaces including one
for touch screens, a "G-code" interpreter, a realtime motion planning
system, operation of low-level machine electronics (such as sensors
and motor drives), an easy-to-use "breadboard" layer (for quickly
creating unique configurations for your machine), a software PLC
(programmable logic controller).
A variety of interfaces are supported, and up to 9 axes can be moved
simultaneously. It can operate true servos or stepper motors. Motion
control features include: cutter radius and length compensation,
path deviation limited to a specified tolerance, lathe threading,
synchronized axis motion, adaptive feedrate, operator feed override, and
constant velocity control. Support for non-Cartesian motion systems is
provided via custom kinematics modules. Available architectures include
hexapods (Stewart platforms and similar concepts) and systems with
rotary joints to provide motion such as PUMA or SCARA robots. (Refs:
linuxcnc.org and Wikipedia)
This meeting will be held at:
Yolo County Library, Mary L. Stephen's Davis Branch
Blanchard Community Room
315 East 14th Street
Davis, California 95616
For more details on this meeting, visit:
http://www.lugod.org/meeting/upcoming/#next
or simply:
http://www.lugod.org/ (and follow the links)
For maps, directions, public transportation schedules, etc., visit:
http://www.lugod.org/meeting/library/
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About LUGOD:
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The Linux Users' Group of Davis is a 501(c)7 non-profit organization
dedicated to the Linux computer operating system and other Open Source
and Free Software.
Since 1999, LUGOD has held regular meetings with guest speakers
in Davis, California, as well as other events in Davis and the greater
Sacramento region. Events are always free and open to the public.
You can find LUGOD on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lugod/
and on LinkedIn at: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=35879
Please visit our website for more details: http://www.lugod.org/