Project Logs

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• Engraving with 12V works!

  Norbert Heinz • 01/15/2024 at 16:33 • 0 comments

  Besides changes in wire feeding, the new clamp for connecting the 0.2mm electrode wire to the 12V of the supply voltage are the major upgrades:

• Machines don't alway work as planned...

  Norbert Heinz • 01/07/2024 at 16:17 • 0 comments

  
  

  ...but meanwhile the 12V engraving works fine. More on that, soon.
  

• 'Active Hammering' is the next step

  Norbert Heinz • 11/22/2023 at 14:11 • 0 comments

  Adding active control over the hammering process will open the door to better engraving, even if the results aren't better with the first version of my mechanics:

  The bugs are known, so let's improve the design...
  

• Convert DC Motors into a Wagner Hammer

  Norbert Heinz • 11/05/2023 at 09:00 • 0 comments

  A Wagner Hammer must lift the electrode whenever a current flows through it's windings. So what about using a DC motor to do exactly this?

• Current, lifting force and more engraving

  Norbert Heinz • 10/28/2023 at 11:33 • 0 comments

  I have developed another type of Wagner Hammer and did some measurements to get a better understanding of the engraving process:

• Engrave conductive materials with a "Wagner Hammer"

  Norbert Heinz • 10/14/2023 at 10:09 • 0 comments

  A "Wagner Hammer" or "Neeff Hammer" is quite simple and essentially consists of an electromagnet and a breaker switch. The electromagnet pulls the hammer inward as soon as a current flows through the coil. If that current is interrupted, the hammer falls back down. The trick is to let the current through the coil flow via this hammer so that it acts as a breaker switch for the coil. Now, connect one terminal to the coil and one to your workpiece and you are ready to do spark erosion.

  
  It is a simple add-on for any CNC or 3D printer and a great way to teach numerical control. You can engrave a piece of metal for your students without sharp, rotating tools or dangerous laser light.
  

• Closer look at the electronics and how to improve the design

  Norbert Heinz • 09/08/2023 at 06:39 • 0 comments

  This video of the series takes a closer look at how the electronics works and points to improvements that should be implemented in future versions:

• Video on my experiments with sparks

  Norbert Heinz • 08/05/2023 at 08:24 • 0 comments

  Knowing the properties of sparks is essential before starting to talk about the electronics that controls their energy. A first video with some experiments is online:

  
  

  Enjoy!

• Properties of sparks

  Norbert Heinz • 08/03/2023 at 07:57 • 0 comments

  I am currently working on a video that examines the properties of sparks.
  

  Even though I could not really see a spark jump over under my microscope, the magnification gives a better idea of how spark erosion works.

  Luckily I found my almost forgotten high-voltage generator in my spare box with which I can demonstrate some core properties of sparks:

  Amongst other sequences, I could record a close up of eroding a wire:

• Flushing with deionized water makes a huge difference

  Norbert Heinz • 07/29/2023 at 05:45 • 0 comments

  The video demonstrating the effects of cooling and flushing is done and it indeed makes a huge difference! By cooling the workpiece and by removing the ripped out particles quickly, the "deep drill" is done more than 10 times faster and the result looks better. Enjoy watching the video:
  

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