I've been trying to learn how to make open segmented bowls. One thing I needed to accomplish this, was to get an indexing wheel. I decided to make one with my laser, but I actually made 3. I soon found out I could make one with 144 holes to accommodate many different open segment designs. I also had to make a way for the disk to register, so I made a little contraption and mounted it to my lathe. I used a brass pin to keep the piece aligned perfectly and made a thumb screw to mount it to my lathe. I mark the wheel with chalk using different colors so I know where the next piece will go. All I have to do is pull back on the handle to advance the wheel to the next mark. I also made something to keep the pin retracted when I need to turn without unmounting the unit.
Love it awsum... Any indexing mechanisms get my juices flowing.
I've always been plague with the indexing mechanism. For my requirements, it's been a battle between the index wheel size vs the object to be "surgerised".
I never liked the push/pull indexer on the more manual operation of a spring loaded ball bearing... where practical.
I eventually blundered across a neat auto advance mechanism that depended on laser accuracy and would be virtually impossible with conventional means... maybe even a tad difficult on the fuzzy CNC output.
Still, what I'm trying to say in duck speak... you can't get away with idle references... any chance of a more detailed blog on the mechanism(s).
These laser posts (and laser speaks) are compelling me to consider many of my laser projects I was prepared to let die on LJ.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
