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Author Topic: X2 CNC Conversion  (Read 51264 times)

Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #25 on: May 13, 2009, 11:38:29 AM »
Ordered some more stuff today. I ordered the steppers for the x & y, the 4th axis update for my controller, flexible anti backlash couplings, E stop switch.

Will try to finish the controller this week. I need an enclosure and power supply next.

Eric
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Offline SPiN Racing

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #26 on: May 14, 2009, 12:02:15 AM »
Ahhhhhhhh  (Looks for Smiley with a Lightbulb over his head)

Yes.. I see. Smaller Mill. Good for CNC machining of small intricate parts. CNC engraving.. on and on.


Will be a really nice piece to have.  Not really gonna translate to the Chinabridge very well.  :ddb:
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #27 on: May 14, 2009, 07:54:04 AM »
Yeah Scott... smaller mill is an understatement. Not quite the smallest you can buy, bet pretty darn close. I think it weighs in at about 150lbs or so. I can really afford anything bigger right now nor do I have the room. I know I can fit a X3 (or the new X4) perhaps a RF45 (that would be pushing it) down in my shop. I have to wait till I rebuild my garage first.

But as it is, it is big enough for now. I really don't mill anything too big.

Eric :borg:
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Offline zeusrekning

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #28 on: May 14, 2009, 10:19:19 PM »
Eric, Im glad to see you have started on this project. I know it has been a while comming. Good luck and I will be watching.
Tim
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #29 on: May 16, 2009, 10:49:30 AM »
Another package arrived yesterday. This one had the steppers for the X & Y, E stop and a coupler. The steppers are 425oz/in in bipolar 305oz/in in unipolar. Unfortunately, the controller I have is unipolar only. No big deal.



I hope to have another package come in today... fingers are crossed.

Eric
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Offline websterz

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #30 on: May 19, 2009, 07:54:28 AM »
Bipolar motors? Won't they be a bit moody? :lol:
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Offline raynerd

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #31 on: May 21, 2009, 03:22:22 AM »
Eric, what are you using the way of a breakout board?

Chris
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #32 on: May 22, 2009, 09:03:11 AM »
Quote from: craynerd on May 21, 2009, 03:22:22 AM
Eric, what are you using the way of a breakout board?

Chris

I am using a HobbyCNC driver board. No BOB required. Just got to put it together yourself!

If I had the cash, I would have gotten a Gecko G540...

Eric
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Offline raynerd

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #33 on: May 22, 2009, 10:41:43 AM »
So with hobbyCNC - can you drive 3 motors? or do you need 3 hobbycnc driver boards?
Chris
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #34 on: May 22, 2009, 10:47:49 AM »
Quote from: craynerd on May 22, 2009, 10:41:43 AM
So with hobbyCNC - can you drive 3 motors? or do you need 3 hobbycnc driver boards?
Chris

With the EZ driver you can run 3 motors... this is a driver/BOB combo. all you need at that point is motors, cables, PS and computer. The Pro board you can either get 3 or 4 axis. Again, everything is on the board. You only need 1 board.

Eric
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #35 on: May 22, 2009, 10:51:37 AM »
Quote from: websterz on May 19, 2009, 07:54:28 AM
Bipolar motors? Won't they be a bit moody? :lol:

Nah. They are on lithium!   :lol:
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Offline raynerd

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #36 on: May 31, 2009, 04:39:52 AM »
Eric

Any progress lately?

If you have time could you talk a little bit more about how you are planning on generating your g-code to ultimately run this?

Quote
5. For CAD software, I am using Alibre and will be driving it with LinuxEMC.

Just curious about your choices, is Alibre something you already own and use or will this be purchased from new - what made you go with this? Also, to drive your motors you have used LinuxEMc - is linux OS something you already use or have you decided to use this over Mach or similar for windows?

I only ask because I am thinking about this myself and I need to decide what software to go with. I think I am more confortable with windows, I do have a dual boot system with Ubuntu running but use it very infrequently - I`m certainly not as confident with linux than I am with windows. I have been using autoCAD LT 2000 and I am getting OK with this - I need to work out where I go from here to generate g-code then eventually to drive the motors.

I`m not really ready but I think now is the time to think about it and have a dabble with the software.

Chris
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #37 on: May 31, 2009, 11:25:15 AM »
Hiya Chris,

Haven't gotten much of a chance to work on this like I want. I am just about finished with the controller. I hope to get some of the motor mounts done this week.

Alibre... Yup own it. I have for several years. I started messing around with the free version and decided I liked it. I got the pro version for half of list and they let me make payments (good for me as the money is tight). I own ver 10 while it is now on ver 11. You should check out the free version of Alibre.

I may use Mach3 to drive the motors. BUT it costs money, it is cheap for what it does... EMCLinux however is free.

Eric
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Offline raynerd

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #38 on: May 31, 2009, 12:00:13 PM »
Thanks for the reply Eric - will certainly have a look Alibre trial version when I get a chance.

Keep us posted.

Chris
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #39 on: November 19, 2010, 09:21:24 PM »
Pulling this one out of the closet.

Finished up soldering the controller. Hooked it up for a test... fubar'd the polarity and fried the board. Soooo, since I am broke, ebay'd another CNC controller. I found a TB6560 4 axis controller for cheap. Yup, a chinese el cheapo controller. Wish I would have researched it a little more before spending the cash, but oh well.

A board like this one:



Needless to say, reading CNC zone, there are a lot of complaints about the board. I did hook it up last night and got it to work. So far so good. Will do another test shortly and video it.

I hope to get the X and Y mounts done this weekend... pictures to follow.

Eric
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #40 on: November 27, 2010, 09:39:14 PM »
Did a test of the elcheapo Chinese controller with the new power supply...



Seems to work OK. Eventually will be replaced with a Gecko g540. Started to work on the motor mounts, will post pictures soon of those.

Eric
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Offline kvom

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #41 on: December 01, 2010, 08:53:36 AM »
Here's the circuit you should be using:  http://xkcd.com/730/
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #42 on: December 01, 2010, 09:59:04 AM »
Quote from: kvom on December 01, 2010, 08:53:36 AM
Here's the circuit you should be using:  http://xkcd.com/730/

That's a good one!



Eric
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Offline ksor

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Re: X2 CNC Conversion
« Reply #43 on: December 01, 2010, 01:59:21 PM »
There is no value for the "arena" ... how big ?
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