commodore 64 controlled milling machine

[ryan0]

I know what you're saying,that is : "WHY?!?!".
The answer to that question is I've always wanted a mill that was in between cnc and manual control,where I could input the coordinates myself,but it would still cut it with absolute precision.It's also about the educational experience,to know how these work from the very ground up.I've got my commodore code done up,basic serial port communication,now I've got to finish my PIC code to control the stepper motors.
I'll have a POC rigged up in a few days,I can already get the commodore controlling 1 stepper motor.

the input is very simple,it's in this format

x - 10
y - 10
z - 10

I then set up the commands in BASIC to relay this information via serial port to a PIC programmed to control a single (very small) stepper motor,this is only temporary.

10 on the c64 translates to a movement of 5mm (on these particular stepper motors),so this would make the xyz table move 5mm left,5mm down then drill a small hole to a depth of 5mm.If I wanted to cut a 40x40 square at a depth of  7mm it would be written like this:

z - 14
x + 40
y + 40
x - 40
y - 40


I hope to update you guys within the next week on the progress of the project.
I'll also be posting up my code soon.
Cheers,
Ryan0.

[H-Sauce]

Sounds fantastic. I can't wait to here some progress.

[ryan0]

currently working on setting up things like cutting circles,diagonal lines etc.
Just simple macro's,I'll have it done in no time.

[phenoptix]

Any pics?

[ryan0]

Decided to base this project on the BASIC Stamp chip instead of the c64,and instead of programming it yourself you just plug in a usb flash drive with the dwg file you wish to etch,the enter the scale in on the number pad and it'll get to work.
The chip itself is more powerful than the entire commodore 64 so I'll stick with that,no pics yet as most parts still haven't arrived,but will have some soon!