I just put in my order for a Syil America X2!

I'm hoping it will make things much easier for me in production. I'll let people know how it works out!

-Jeff

I have not yet seen anybody order the Syil X2, take some pics :). Weren't you interested in hte X3?

The X3 would have been a better option, but the lower price and the fast availability of the X2 won me over. If things go well, in a few months I'll order an X3 as well, and then have the X2 as a backup machine/dedicated high speed spindle machine.

I'm getting the side mounted Proxxon spindle from LMS. I figure I can fly cut a 2" x 2" aluminum block and engrave it without a tool change with the side mounted spindle.

-Jeff

Another option is using a high-speed air powered spindle. They make them up to 50,000 RPM and have an R8 shank.

hurrp up,when you recieve it,post some pic of your working. we also need a feedback of x2 CNC from customers.

Syil china.

[QUOTE=

I'm getting the side mounted Proxxon spindle from LMS. I figure I can fly cut a 2" x 2" aluminum block and engrave it without a tool change with the side mounted spindle.

-Jeff[/QUOTE]

Good point and idea. I am guessing you are planing on using G54 and G55 to work with the spindle locations. Cool :)

I am guessing you are planing on using G54 and G55 to work with the spindle locations. Cool :)

That's the idea :)

I got a freight tracking number today...

-Jeff

I finally got it today!

Looks pretty good. I'm having a Mach limit switch issue on the Z axis that I posted about in the Mach forum. I also spoke with Rod at Syil who is going to get back to me.

My only major concern right now is the crazy short motor cables. They are going to get back to me on that as well.

-Jeff

I found it.... the acceleration settings for the Z axis were so low it couldn't stop in time. It took me a while to get the speeds, acceleration settings, and soft limit locations set up, but I have things moving along well. After I've really got things tuned I'll post my config file. The one that Syil has up has the right pinouts, but the motor speeds and accelerations are screwed up.

If you have one of these be REAL careful setting when referencing the first time. Do it real slow and do it one axis at a time.

I'll post pictures and more info sometime this week.

-Jeff

Did some more testing...

Y backlash less than .0005"

X backlash less than .001"

Z backlash .003". I think I might have something loose there. I'll work on it tomorrow.

I'm having a table shield made. That will help keep the coolant off the saddle. The 3" vise from littlemachineshop is going to be a great fit.

As I am by myself, I bought an engine hoist to get it up on the stand. Waaaaay cheaper than a bad back :)

I'm going to cut the cables and insert some extension wires. Anyone have suggestions on the type of crimp connectors to use?


-Jeff

I would recommend an enviromental splice. It has two peices the crimp itself and a heatshrink sleeve with a heat activated sealant at each end.

We used this type for aircraft repairs when I was in the Navy. Even in the harsh enviroment of an aircraft carrier (saltwater and plenty of viberation)they were flawless when installed correctly.

I think you can pick them up at most electrical supply houses.

I would also recomend you offset your splices so you don't end up with a big knot from the splices piling up against each other.

Thanks for the tip on the splice.... I'll look into that.

I haven't gotten to the Z axis backlash issue yet.... Just playing with it today, I suspect the thrust bearing.

I tried to tram the mill today, and it seems the spindle isn't parallel to the column :( I "trammed" the mill with an indicator on the table and adjusting the "big nut" on the back, but the vertical travel is out .003" over 3" when running the indicator along a 1-2-3 block. I'll double check the 1-2-3 block :)

I'm still doing research and looking at the issue. I'd love suggestions.... I don't want to have to pull the whole head apart to shim it.

-Jeff

I talked to Richard and took another look at the mill...

The Z axis backlash was due to a loose thrust nut. I haven't measured the backlash, but I'm sure I'll get a big improvement now that I've snugged it tight.

On the mill, I suspect I will need to pull the head and shim it, but with a bit of direction from Richard, I can see it won't be that huge of a deal. I had to disconnect the ball nut block and the side plates, but they came off easily.

-Jeff

Oh, and the engine hoist was a GREAT purchase... Took a little while, but easy as pie.

-Jeff

I was able to tram the head using a .006" shim between the Z saddle and the head... +/-.0005" over a 2" circle!

The column is still out front/back .002" over 3" height, but I figure that's okay. If I change my mind, I can shim the column and then re-shim the head to match.

Early next week I expect to be cutting metal!

-Jeff

Okee dokee!

I got a replacement Y driver to replace the one that died on me, and I have the machine running code! Not cutting metal yet as I need to set it up with the table tray and coolant enclosure, but it is running my G code nicely.

I'm running at 80 IPM and 20 IPM/M acceleration. Anyone else have suggestions for speeds and accelerations?

-Jeff

That acceleration looks a little to much, but if you are not missing steps then....

I've finally cut metal! Wahoo!

Just one part, but it went well.

I turned down the speed and acceleration to 75 ipm, 15 ipm/m (s?)

I need to mess with the Z axis some more...

Is there a way in Mach3 to see variations in homing? In other words, to see if you lost a step since last time you homed?

-Jeff

I dont think so since it is an open loop. But, you could clamp a small piece of material to the table and ream a hole at x y home and sweep it to check.

It doesn't need to be closed loop. It should know where the limit switch trips based upon previous homings... if it trips at another location, it has lost steps somewhere... I just don't know if that feature is in the software.

-Jeff

Yes that is true. Well you can dedicate one of your offsets to the home position.

It turns out you can use the "verify" button on the MDI page to do what I want!

I've put up some pictures and impressions of the machine here:

http://www.jeffalbro.net/cnc/syil-x2/

-Jeff

I've now had the machine for several months, and most of my initial impressions held out. I've updated the review here:

http://www.jeffalbro.net/cnc/syil-x2/

Also, I am selling the machine, but that is due to business issues, not the performance of the machine, which overall I'm quite happy with.

-Jeff

Hi a real absolute virgin beginner here-I have been a member of cnc zone for a few months but never had the [get up an go!] until I read Chrisjh's solution to the digital venier short out (excellent stuff)
I am about two days from taking delivery of my X3 Iv'e taken a week off work to get it unboxed, cleaned,tuned and working-got a new camera for the pics-I will keep the community up to speed.
Regards
Vulcan

Jeff

Apologies for dragging up this old thread, but I'm seeking a bit of advice.

On you're website you mention some dissatisfaction with the Z axis design. Did you ever get the z better than the .003 backlash ? I lucked into a nice ground screw complete with bearing blocks etc. I'm debating whether to mimic the syil design with these parts or save the screw for a future project.

The other option I'm considering for the z is a Stirling Steele/ HossMachine type design. This is more direct but not as tidy. Oh yeah, the mill is an X2.

Purchasing a syil from the get-go would have saved a lot of hassle. Ahh, the wisdom of hindsight.

I never got it better than about .002", and most of that was from adjusting gib tension.

I feel strongly that the closer to the dovetail you can get, the better you will be.

That said, the backlash didn't seem to cause any problems.

Mine is still available for sale.

-Jeff