Making a new CNC machine

[EL34]

$2399???

You can a way better machine for that kind of money
Looks like it's made from HDPE cutting board material.
That guy must be on crack.

[tubesornothing]

I took another look at that CNC.  Take a close look at the X axis stepper.  What is going on there? Its all cock-eyed.  Looks like it was photoshopped in afterwards.

Another smaller CNC, somewhat community built, but you can by assembled is the Fireball.  http://www.probotix.com/FireBall_v90_cnc_router_kit/ So if you are looking for a small unit, somewhat assembled, this might be an option. 

Suggestion: Make sure you learn about the different types of bearings and lead screws/drive mechanisms.  These have a large impact on quality and on price.

[EL34]

I installed the Probotix red motor kits and power supply on my CNC

I have had to deal with them a couple times and they were always awesome, so I can reccomend Probotix.
Plus, they have great documention on the web site for all their products.

That Probotic machine looks to be Thopmpson precision shafts and Oilite bearings.
That is what I built my first machine with and that is good enough for a first machine
Then if you really like CNC'ing, get a better machine or upgrade to ball screws later on.

[tubesornothing]

Hey Doug,  sorry I meant that reply to go to Supro66.  He was asking about small CNC machines.

[EL34]

???

Just adding a second to Probotix stuff.

[kagliostro]

OK, encouraged by Doug's experience in the argument I'm planning to start a new adventure on CNC machines

Yesterday evening I was at the house of a passionate about modeling that builds and sells simple CNC milling machines

at the moment his "production" model is a X620 Y310 Z100 using trapezoid screws TPN 14x4 (simply model, no screw ball) with 20mm recirculating ball bushings

I asked for a X750 version (as to be able to mill also case large as the Vox AC30 Trapezoidal Head)

there are no Home or Estop (but if I want I can add it by myself) the controller is parallel and use Mach3 software

The machine isn't a sophisticated one, it hasn't alignment joints for the step motor and uses simple plastic multi material joits for this purpose

despite all this, I've seen that the machine is able to mill also PCB with thin tracks











K

[EL34]

That looks nice


Looks very well built

[kagliostro]

Yes it looks nice, the guy is an engineer whose job is designing molds for industrial and model aircraft enthusiast

I know, the machine isn't the best one, but if it only does what I've seen yesterday evening

it is a nice one for the use in our guitar amp hobby

---

Doug which are the specs of your latest machine and which softwares do you use ?

Ciao

Franco


p.s.: I've read that you use Mach3, if so, I would like to know if you (as I think) use a parallel interface and which is the Operating System of the PC that you use

[EL34]

Doug which are the specs of your latest machine and which softwares do you use ?
p.s.: I've read that you use Mach3, if so, I would like to know if you (as I think) use a parallel interface and which is the Operating System of the PC that you use

I don't have much more info that what is listed on this page
http://el34world.com/Misc/Cnc/CNC0.htm

See this section
My CNC machine

I use Mach3 to control my probotix boards
I use XP SP3 on an old PC for the CNC machine

I upgraded to a Bosch Colt and I also use a super PID for motor control
All those links are listed on the page above

You don't need a very powerful PC to run Mach 3, in fact XP is the preferred OS
I also run Mach3 on my 3D printer on an old Dell laptop running XP

All the XP computers use the parallel port and a probotix parallel breakout board

[kagliostro]

Thanks Doug

I use XP SP3 on an old PC for the CNC machine

That was what I wanted to know

The controller provided with the machine I'm going to get uses parallel interface and Mach3

Franco

[EL34]

You can even use old dell laptops that have a parallel port
I do that on my 3D printer

I paid $100 for one on Ebay that had a fresh copy of win XP



I receive files from a shared network hard drive through the laptop wireless

[kagliostro]

Good 


Franco