Would hobby servos be accurate enough to cut the insulation without damaging the wire or do you think the moteus controller is uniquely suited for this.
I collected a bunch of alternative machine videos in the corresponding blog entry: jpieper.com/2020/12/11/automated-wire-stripper-and-cutter/ There aren't many hobby servo machines that strip, and those that do usually have a hard mechanical stop for the stripping action and a 3rd servo/actuator to shift the wire between a "cut" and a "strip" slot on the cutting blade.
Nice project. I'm now doing primary sketches to build one. Looking for information to compare a mj5208 brushless motor to a P-series Nema 23 Bipolar 3Nm, your site came to my attention, then this video. I understand you had the brushless motor lying around. If you had them both, which one would you prefer and why? Can the cutter itself in this project also cut 2.5 and 4 mm2 wire? Thanks for this project, it shows really useful information. Thanks again.
I've only tested it on 26 AWG, although it can probably go a bit thicker, but probably nowhere near 4mm^2 (12AWG). No clue on that stepper, moteus won't even drive steppers so you would need a different controller.
The primary reason to use brushless motors with encoders over steppers are speed and torque control. In this application, really only the speed is being used.
This is really cool. I have been wanted to build something like this for a slightly different purpose. Do you think it would be able to cut thin vinyl coated aircraft cable? (3/64 cable without vinyl, 1/16“ with)
I honestly can't say I have a good idea of the strength of that media. I'm sure you could construct something that could cut it, but I couldn't guarantee this particular mechanism could.
@@awesjosh thank you for the quick and candid response. I suppose worse case it may just require a different cutter and more torque for the motor that drives that cutter. I think the rest would all work Very cool design either way. Thanks again!
Why did you decide to use Raspberry Pi instead of Arduino? Will the moteus motor controllers work with Arduino? I'm kinda new to all of this and I need to make a wire cutting/stripping machine for my business, and I thought this would also be a fun way to learn about open source electronics. From what I've read Arduino is cheaper and easier to work with starting out, and can easily handle simple machines such as this. What do you think?
I used a Raspberry Pi both because I had a rpi and a pi3hat lying around, and because developing software for it is much faster than for an Arduino. For this project, the cost difference between and Arduino ($20) and a Raspberry Pi ($35) is immaterial compared to the other costs in the system. Plus the fact that with the Raspberry Pi I could develop the software in python, which meant that I could complete the entire project in a long weekend. It should be possible to control moteus controllers with an Arduino with a suitable CAN-FD shield. I have one here to test with, but haven't yet broken it out yet to do a demonstration. No client libraries exist yet for that platform.
I gotcha. Like I said I'm new and was curious. This thing is awesome! It would save me sooo much time in my business and be cheaper than off the shelf cutter/crimpers. I was up half the night researching this and some of your other builds. Would it be possible to add a HMI like I've seen with some of the other machines so I could change lengths quickly? Any recommended guides or starter kits to get me started with this? Thanks for taking the time to get back to me!!
It is of course possible to create a GUI. I operate it via an ssh command line, so just specify the lengths as arguments to the script that operates the machine github.com/jpieper/bstrip/blob/main/src/cutwire.py. I don't know if it is possible to use the rpi LCD w/ a pi3hat, but it might be? If so, that would be a trivial way to add a UI. There isn't an instructable-style build guide for bstrip. The BOM and 3d printer files are in git github.com/jpieper/bstrip , this video exists, and you can join the mjbots discord discord.gg/W4hUpBb to ask more questions.
@@awesjosh This is awesome. I'm also looking into making one of these for my business. I just need to learn how to upload your code. I have to learn about this asap.
thanks! The loads here aren't that big steady state, so nothing gets hot enough to need cooling. The only feedback is from the absolute encoders built into the motor controllers. That is what allows precise length measurements and insulation piercing.
Do you have to have a PI to control the setup? i would like to make something similar but different I wanted to know if i could just program the controlers them self. Could i use Pi zero instead with a wave share CAN hat? I want to make a Heat Set Insert Tool that I can set a torque so that I always have a consistent down pressure. Then I could tune the down pressure based off the torque for a specific type of plastic.
You don't need a pi, but you do need something that can send CAN-FD commands. One time setup still requires a Linux/Mac/Windows computer, but normal operation can be with anything. There is an Arduino library now for instance.
Amazing you’re able to get that much precision for the insulation cut. Awesome work!!
Thanks!
Damn bro this is cool. Love it when people make stuff that's actually useful with their 3D printers.
Josh, dude, i'm hooked. You sir, are a maniac. DaVinci proportions... In awe, and really gets my noodle thinking. THANK YOU.
This looks really cool and useful. I might have to try making one myself.
still blown away that this was just a side project heh
Would hobby servos be accurate enough to cut the insulation without damaging the wire or do you think the moteus controller is uniquely suited for this.
I collected a bunch of alternative machine videos in the corresponding blog entry: jpieper.com/2020/12/11/automated-wire-stripper-and-cutter/
There aren't many hobby servo machines that strip, and those that do usually have a hard mechanical stop for the stripping action and a 3rd servo/actuator to shift the wire between a "cut" and a "strip" slot on the cutting blade.
Hey Josh, this comes as a surprise. Aren't you supposed to build robot dogs? Still yet another nice project.
Nice project. I'm now doing primary sketches to build one. Looking for information to compare a mj5208 brushless motor to a P-series Nema 23 Bipolar 3Nm, your site came to my attention, then this video. I understand you had the brushless motor lying around. If you had them both, which one would you prefer and why? Can the cutter itself in this project also cut 2.5 and 4 mm2 wire? Thanks for this project, it shows really useful information. Thanks again.
I've only tested it on 26 AWG, although it can probably go a bit thicker, but probably nowhere near 4mm^2 (12AWG). No clue on that stepper, moteus won't even drive steppers so you would need a different controller.
@@awesjosh thank you for your reply. I will use then different stepper drivers, I knew about that. Thanks.
Those motors are very cool, but why not just use stepper motors?
The primary reason to use brushless motors with encoders over steppers are speed and torque control. In this application, really only the speed is being used.
This is really cool. I have been wanted to build something like this for a slightly different purpose.
Do you think it would be able to cut thin vinyl coated aircraft cable? (3/64 cable without vinyl, 1/16“ with)
I honestly can't say I have a good idea of the strength of that media. I'm sure you could construct something that could cut it, but I couldn't guarantee this particular mechanism could.
@@awesjosh thank you for the quick and candid response.
I suppose worse case it may just require a different cutter and more torque for the motor that drives that cutter.
I think the rest would all work
Very cool design either way. Thanks again!
Nothing I hate more than stripping wire.
How are you sending the different lengths to the raspberry pi? Do you hook it up to a monitor? Or do you have to change the lengths in the code?
It is just a python script that I run on the rpi, and the lengths are set by command line arguments. I ssh to it over wifi.
@@awesjosh thank you
Why did you decide to use Raspberry Pi instead of Arduino? Will the moteus motor controllers work with Arduino? I'm kinda new to all of this and I need to make a wire cutting/stripping machine for my business, and I thought this would also be a fun way to learn about open source electronics. From what I've read Arduino is cheaper and easier to work with starting out, and can easily handle simple machines such as this. What do you think?
I used a Raspberry Pi both because I had a rpi and a pi3hat lying around, and because developing software for it is much faster than for an Arduino. For this project, the cost difference between and Arduino ($20) and a Raspberry Pi ($35) is immaterial compared to the other costs in the system. Plus the fact that with the Raspberry Pi I could develop the software in python, which meant that I could complete the entire project in a long weekend.
It should be possible to control moteus controllers with an Arduino with a suitable CAN-FD shield. I have one here to test with, but haven't yet broken it out yet to do a demonstration. No client libraries exist yet for that platform.
I gotcha. Like I said I'm new and was curious. This thing is awesome! It would save me sooo much time in my business and be cheaper than off the shelf cutter/crimpers. I was up half the night researching this and some of your other builds.
Would it be possible to add a HMI like I've seen with some of the other machines so I could change lengths quickly? Any recommended guides or starter kits to get me started with this?
Thanks for taking the time to get back to me!!
It is of course possible to create a GUI. I operate it via an ssh command line, so just specify the lengths as arguments to the script that operates the machine github.com/jpieper/bstrip/blob/main/src/cutwire.py. I don't know if it is possible to use the rpi LCD w/ a pi3hat, but it might be? If so, that would be a trivial way to add a UI.
There isn't an instructable-style build guide for bstrip. The BOM and 3d printer files are in git github.com/jpieper/bstrip , this video exists, and you can join the mjbots discord discord.gg/W4hUpBb to ask more questions.
@@awesjosh This is awesome. I'm also looking into making one of these for my business. I just need to learn how to upload your code. I have to learn about this asap.
@@tightfitfab The code for this is just a python script that you execute over ssh: github.com/jpieper/bstrip
Any issue with drilling the hole in the wire stripper for the pull arm?
Nope, I just used a normal drill bit in a power drill.
@@awesjosh Nice, your design that uses the power supply as a base is genius. Thank for sharing.
How do motors take the heat? Do you have a fan colling them?
PS: This is a great video and a project.
PSS: this has not feedback loop?
thanks!
The loads here aren't that big steady state, so nothing gets hot enough to need cooling.
The only feedback is from the absolute encoders built into the motor controllers. That is what allows precise length measurements and insulation piercing.
Do you export this machine
Please provide your content details
No, the 3d printer files and source code are online for anyone to build it though.
Do you have to have a PI to control the setup? i would like to make something similar but different I wanted to know if i could just program the controlers them self. Could i use Pi zero instead with a wave share CAN hat?
I want to make a Heat Set Insert Tool that I can set a torque so that I always have a consistent down pressure. Then I could tune the down pressure based off the torque for a specific type of plastic.
You don't need a pi, but you do need something that can send CAN-FD commands. One time setup still requires a Linux/Mac/Windows computer, but normal operation can be with anything. There is an Arduino library now for instance.
I need one but for stainless steel wire
No advanced tool are required... Using some of the nicest hardware and motor controllers on the market...
btw this is ment to be a compliment.
Wow, awesome machine! Subscribed! Why did you take brushless motors and not steppers? I would have thought about steppers first.
Thanks! I just did it in a weekend using parts I had.