Automatic Miter Saw Fence Stop

[Bellevue Woodshop]

I built this automatic fence stop for my miter saw station a couple of years ago.
It was built from salvaged parts only.

I am lucky to work in a field that has some dumpster diving opportunities

On this project I used a 2000mm long linearrail w/bearings, a servo motor and driver, some loose bearings, an AT10 belt an pulley setup (no backlash), an old discarded laptop with win xp, and a working touch monitor from the dumpster.
The only thing I purchase for this project was the 5 axis cnc driver board and a stepper driver off ebay at a total cost of aprox 10 usd.

I have a video on my youtube channel showing it in action, that you can check out in the bottom of the page.

Here is an overview of the system, with the custom interface shown:
I built the operating screen on the base of the open software mach 3, made for cnc.
I fitted my own functions, and graphics.

To use it it is just a matter of punching in the desired length of cut, and the fence will move to the correct position.
It also has the option to use a cutlist, containing multiple cut dimensions



This is a closeup of the linear rail and belt and pulley system.
It is hidden under a cover normally.



There is a homing switch to calibrate the system.



Each end of the rail has double bearing seated shaft and pulley.



The servomotor i mounted under the bench. Because this i a closed loop system, meaning it has position feedback,
it does not matter if you bang the fence, it will always get back to position.



I made a setup to check the accuracy with a dial indicator ( if you want to see more from the test, and its repeat-ability, check out the video)



Here you can watch a video of it in use:

Hope you found it interesting.

Best regards
Roy

[Jon]

Hi Bellevue Woodshop - welcome to HomemadeTools.net

Great first post! Cool website too. Some other good picks on BellevueWoodshop.com:

The Towersander
Scrollsaw
Double Disc Sander

[thehomeengineer]

I can see lots of applications this could be used for first being a backstop for the sheet metal guillotine. Unfortunately, I am unlikely to make one but you can never say never. My skills when it comes to computers are a bit lacking I am afraid so I take my hat off to the skills you have shown. Very nicely made and definitely not overkill, why not have one if you can build it.
Thank you for sharing
The Home Engineer

[Bellevue Woodshop]

Thanks Jon, and thehomeengineer

[gatz]

Very good workmanship, Roy !
Years ago I built a digital stop for a KMT cold-saw using a THK rail & Mitutoyo digital scale.
It wasn't programmable like yours but worked great for steel/aluminum cut-off.
BTW, there are plastic plugs available for the bolt holes in the rail if you need them.

[Ralphxyz]

Wow, thanks for posting, great project just what I need to add to the list.

Ralph

[crazyhorseX]

Awesome projects .... I totally agree with Ralph .... one more to the list

hope you will put this as "plan for sale" on your shop ... i would gladly buy it IMMEDIATELY.... (plssssssss )

Or we could talk for in private ... pls do let me know asap

thanks for posting

chX
ps... love the way you have your shop done up ....

[Bellevue Woodshop]

Very good workmanship, Roy !
Years ago I built a digital stop for a KMT cold-saw using a THK rail & Mitutoyo digital scale.
It wasn't programmable like yours but worked great for steel/aluminum cut-off.
BTW, there are plastic plugs available for the bolt holes in the rail if you need them.

Thanks gatz. A linear rail and a DRO, also works great, even for repeatabilty. I did have some from Bosch Rexroth, but unfortunately I damaged a few of the while I dissmantled the rail from the machine. But as the rail is partially covered I did not bother to get new one.

[Bellevue Woodshop]

Wow, thanks for posting, great project just what I need to add to the list.

Ralph

Thanks Ralph

[Bellevue Woodshop]

Thank you very much crazyhorseX
Unfortunately I am not planning to make plans for this.
Mostly because I used salvaged parts, and therefor would not be of full value for other that did not have the exactly the same parts.
If you where to buy all these parts new, it would probably be cheaper to buy a commercially made unit.

I have sent you an email

Thanks for the kind feedback, both on the projects and the shop