Initial thoughts on the Nomad 883Pro

[mbellon (Mark Bellon)]

EXCELLENT POST!

Thoughts:

1. WE NEED TO PECK DRILL!

Always a good idea. Your CAM software has to support this. No need for G83 if your CAM generates all of the necessary parts (the Nomad doesn’t support it).

2. I need better mounting solutions.

See:

http://www.hightechsystemsllc.com/pt_NomadPlateWithCams.html

and

Nomad Threaded Table

I have the former as do many. C3D recently came out with the later.

See:

Off-the-shelf Step Blocks and Clamps For Sea-of-Holes Beds

Fixturing in a sea-of-holes bed requires the right tools. A common fixturing (clamping) solution for sea-of-holes beds are step blocks and clamps. The High Tech Systems Nomad replacement bed uses an 10-32 (Imperial) threading, the C3D Nomad add-on bed uses an M6 (metric) threading. The C3D SO3 sea-of-holes is M6 as well. Surprisingly, these are compatible with at least one commercial step block clamping system: http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=2718&category= I…

Cut a spoiler board for each job.

3. I also need to dial in my S&F’s to shorten my cutting time. I also want to try mastercam and see if I can make my program there. I think I read that I need to output it for a MACH3 or something. I’ll dig around some more later on.

I use BobCAD-CAM myself. I worked up a post processor for the Nomad. It wasn’t hard.

I recommend G-Wizard for excellent feeds and speeds. The Nomad has 0.07 HP. Be sure to select the derate for small spindle/router option.

Consider using AlTiN coated end mills for materials other than Al and Al alloy, ZrN or TiB2 coating for Al and Al alloy.

Also consider using Onsrud single flute end mills for Al and Al alloy.

See:

Recommended End Mills

Choosing end mills requires choosing the appropriate characteristics (e.g. diameter, number of flutes, shape (flat, ball, bull nose ends), flute direction (up, down, compression cut) and so forth. Please jump to the putting it all together section if you want a simple summary. What follows are details of how and why to choose certain attributes of end mills. It takes some effort to learn the lingo but it is worth it so one can order end mills directly from a machining supplies vendor or distr…

5. The meltable wax fixture holdings wasn’t a success on my first attempt. You can see the stains on the MDF. I’ll need to revisit that later on.

I’ve used a technique where I machine a well into my spoiler. It keeps the lubricant from going all over the place.

I use one set of step blocks and clamps to hold the spoiler and another set to hold the stock.

6. I wish I could bypass the homing sequence sometimes… actually a lot of times. The option to home or not home doesn’t work for me when runnign the program. It always runs the homing sequence.

This is a “safety feature” for n00bs. Yes, an expert mode would nice!

7. I wish the program would allow for me to see what line of code is running because I hit pause once and a second time to mistakenly quit. I understand the logic but atleast a readout of the line code would be a nice reference. Maybe an option to pause, shut off spindle, restart spindle and continue would be nice too. I had to eat my lunch while watching the program today and thought it would have been nice to pause and eat outside without running the spindle all day.

Yes, that would be nice.

The MDF

MDF is a friable ("easily crumbled) material which generates small particles which are extremely hazardous to your health. Consider a dust head and/or negative pressure in the enclosure and a HEPA filter vacuum.

You can search the forums for several discussions on safe air and particle handling.

After installing MeshCAM and Carbide Motion

Be sure to pick up the latest CM… there have been some significant updates recently.

mark