Tappers for the Master Caster

[HATCH]

Here is a tease

[Tazza]

That is mounted to the left side? I assume you are going to hit the right as well?

Teasing us with little pictures, shame on you

[HATCH]

Left side for right now. Trying to figure out how to Tap right side without losing handle



Bottom limit switch
Not Happy with placement but it does seem to work

[Tazza]

I never thought about the handle, as i removed mine i didn't even consider it....

You can always adjust the switch location later to find it's sweet spot, or can you use a double micro switch to work with what you have there already for the PID?

[HATCH]

I can do it all with one switch and just use timers.
Basically the mold moves to the bottom to dump and cool off.
This is a 2 sec timer.
I can put a timer that says 500 ms after the mold move timer starts, start the tappers.
Tappers would run as long as the 2 sec timer was running so if I made the timer 4 seconds then it would still start 500ms after.

The problem with this is
(1) doesn't work in manual mode
(2) can't be used by anyone who isn't running a plc
(3) doesn't account for any delays in getting to the bottom

When I design something I think of everyone. Not just myself or people running my program.

I will be testing a non-plc setup tomorrow after lunch.
This will be relay based and will so both the operation of the machine itself by t also have a timer with bottom limit switch for the tappers.

[Tazza]

That is a very good point, your idea is perfect for someone that doesn't want automatic but the ease of pour, cut then the tappers drop the sprue and projectiles if they were to stick. It always was a pain when they stuck and you would be rapping on the handle to get them to free the projectiles or sprue.

I see the issues of a PLC based timer too, you really need it to run with the input from a limit switch at the bottom of the stroke to know for sure something has not gone wrong. The tappers could be extended as the arm drops and bends the cylinder rod(s). That is my only concern, but a limit switch would fix that.

[HATCH]

Only problem with using a timer relay (smart) is that the smallest increment is 1/10th of a second.
I plan to set it to repeat so it will pulse the tapper.
I am hoping that will work using the built in spring that is in the air cylinder.

All the tappers I have seen pull in and spring out.
I purchased the little brass ball off of eBay. It was reasonable and have a total of 5 balls now.

[jmorris]

How fast can the solenoid you are using extend and retract the brass ball, whatever distance you have it set up for?

[HATCH]

I am using pneumatic.
I will have your answer after lunch when I get home. Unless the wife has plans for me, today is gonna be shop day

[HATCH]

Not too happy with using a relay to control it.
Also my mounting system leaves much to be desired.

http://youtu.be/kIloiKnWM8c

[Silver-Silver]

Not too happy with using a relay to control it.
Also my mounting system leaves much to be desired.

http://youtu.be/kIloiKnWM8c

Hatch,
Is that PLC - Relay - Solenoid - Pneumatic Cylinder ?

Are you running a solid state relay to signal the solenoid?
And is that max speed you can run? Single or DA Pneumatic Cylinder? I have been patiently waiting to see what you design.

-Steve

[HATCH]

That is a 'smart relay' operating a air valve with a spring return cylinder.

The entire setup runs 120v.
Besides needing a better mount for the air cylinder.
The problem it has is this - smallest increment relay goes is 1/10th of a second. 1/10th of a second is too fast because the ram doesn't have time to retract. It basically taps once this just slightly moves the mold carrier as it pulses.
2/10th of a second is what the video shows. It is almost too slow. The mold I have in the machine now doesn't stick boolits so I can't test that part.

I need to find a way to increase the spring tension that is inside the cylinder.
This will allow me to run it at 1/10th of a second.

The plc will allow me to do the .15 sec which might be the sweet spot.

[Silver-Silver]

Thanks Hatch
I forgot you were looking to design a system that could be fitted to any machine and not just your PLC fitted machines.

It looks like you are making progress which is good to see.

-Steve

[HATCH]

Don't worry. This weekend I will be playing with the tappers and the PLC.
Right now I was in the middle of switching everything over to the new control panel. I did run into a problem. The dual acting air cylinder nose mount thread is different then the spring return one. So I have to make a new piece to hold it.

[wymanwinn]

is this the same PLC used on the Star we automated....?

[HATCH]

Yes sir. Its really just a relay. Right now i don't think it will be a solution for us.
But if its something you think might work for you then I will send you one and tell you how to wire it up. You would just need the pneumatic cylinder and a limit switch.

[wymanwinn]

Yes sir. Its really just a relay. Right now i don't think it will be a solution for us.
But if its something you think might work for you then I will send you one and tell you how to wire it up. You would just need the pneumatic cylinder and a limit switch.

ok, will stand by for the "ultimate" tapper mod.....don't really have a problem with bullets sticking, just planning ahead....))

w

[Tazza]

hehe the "ultimate" tapper, you have a lot to live up to now Hatch, no pressure

[chloe123]

In the meantime, loop that clip and you got a metronome

[jmorris]

If you go back in this thread to the "comb" I originally made to work with my "mechanical" pneumatic tappers it had 4 "teeth" (post 22) I quickly found that it could not reset fast enough and went to the 3 "teeth" (post 34) version that works. Never timed it but it takes time for everything to reverse.

Why I asked how fast yours could reset. 10th of a second would be pretty quick and the relay might not be a problem. I also think you either need more stroke,/speed or mass on your knockers.