First Project...

[Joe Tedesco]

Well, I finally had some time to give Aspire 3 and my Stinger II a test drive. After watching most of the tutorials, and some trial and error, I came up with this design. I think it came out pretty good considering it was my first attempt. I learned a few things for the next go around...but I guess that is the best way to learn.

The machine ran great. The only issue I noticed when I was done cutting the file was that some of the curves on the letters were not as smooth as I would have hoped. In addition, cuts that had several passes with an end mill had slight steps in them, like the cutter was not in the exact same spot each pass. I checked for play/backlash on the x and y axis and found that they both have some, the y being much worse. In the case of the y, it gets worse the closer you get to 0, if I move the gantry to 48" the backlash pretty much disappears. The belts are tight, it appears to be play between the rack and pinion gears. How do I adjust that? The only way I can see to do it is to adjust the rack tighter against the pinion gear. is that accurate.

Thanks
-Joe

[Joey Jarrard]

You are correct all you have to do is adjust the rack. Some times the machine will get jolted in shipping. This is the same for all axis on the stinger. To adjust the rack is as simple as loosening a few bolts and shifting the rack closer to the spur gear.
I hope this helps and please call if you need us.

[Joey Jarrard]

BTW. The sign looks great.

[mezalick]

I like the sign Joe, nice work.
Michael

[james mcgrew]

impressive!! just impressive

[Jim Horick]

Very nice Joe, I hope to show something of that quality myself, soon.

Jim

[Joe Tedesco]

Thanks guys! Now I just need to learn the painting process.

[Mick Martin]

Hi Joe,

Great looking Sign, what material did you use? What size bit's? feeds and speeds?

Mick

[Joe Tedesco]

Mick, being it was my first attempt, I did not want to use anything too expensive so I picked up a pre-glued panel from Lowes. I think it is Aspen, real piece of garbage :)

The main pocket and blade pocket were done with a 1/4" end mill. I used the default settings from aspire...spindle speed was 12000 rpm and 100 IPM, with .15" depth passes.

then the texture was done with a 1/4 ball nose, aspire suggested 12000 again, and I tweaked the parameters on the texturing.

Then a .5" 90 degree v-bit for the letters and edge. Again...aspire seems to like 12000.

Do these speeds and travel sound about right?

-Joe

[Mick Martin]

Your speeds and feeds sound about right, I do most of my work between 12000 / 16000 rpm and my feeds are between 100 / 150 IPM.

Mick

[Robert Alexander]

Very nice sign[clap]. Aspire 3 is a great program.

[Chris Fruge]

Nice sign. I can't wait to get mine. Oh yeah, I favor One Shot for paint.