Any Wellington Area CNC Builders out there?

[Imagineering]

Well, the title of the thread says it all.

I'm well on the way to finishing the Mechanical side of my CNC MiniMill and about to start on the Electronics & Software.
I would like to share, (sponge), ideas with others in the Capital City area.

[Imagineering]

Just fishing again - Running the thread again to see if anyone bites.

[GeorgeR]

Not quite wellington, but I'm up near Palmerston North. I'm converting a Square-Column mill to CNC - just the Z axis to go and the addition/creation of some anti-backlash nuts (3mm pitch 24mm diameter leadscrews don't appear to be very common )

[paulC]

Hi Murray
You already know about me. But thought I would reply in case other people watching.
Upper Hutt area. CNC router. Early photo of my Router. Working on my next one.
Paul

[synthetiklone]

Greetings,
I know the msg date is going back some time now, but seeing that I am also in Wellington, NZ, I thought I'd leave a quick note to let you know there is yet someone else here building a CNC machine.
I'm building a 3-axis machine, and trying to future proof the design so when I add the 5-axis (a&b on the z!) I wont have to completely redesign the whole thing. Im at the stage of deciding the best bearing arrangement for the 40mm diameter stainless rails, which is also relating to the size of the table frame, which is also relating to the depth of the z-axis, which is also relating to the size of the router I use, which as also finally relating to "where the heck do I buy the parts I need - here in NZ, without having to morgage the house!
Also designing and acquiring parts for a 3d polystyrene cutting cnc machine as well...
Couldnt help it, the CNC bug bit me!

I'm going to post some pictures somewhere here soon (in the gallery?), as my design is slightly different to other Ive seen.. (mainly horizontal y-axis rails, which leaves little room in between for the router, but give excellent stability for the 5-axis (a&b) when incorporated).
Now, this is also scaring me a bit, as maybe Im thinking I should stick to the known designs, because they work, and mine might not! hah.

Anyone in Wellington or close by wanting to get involved, send me an email


synthetiklone ((-a@t-)) yahoo.co.nz

cheers
Tony

[paulC]

Welcome aboard Tony.
There is no such thing as cheap here I'm affraid.
It can be cheaper to import stuff than buy locally.
Murray (Imagineering) told me about a recycler out at seaview. "New Metal Technology" They have some interesting stuff and well worth a visit.
Hard to find, they are not in the phone book. They are on Seaview Rd just past the roundabout going south on the right. Down a drive way. There is a green sign on the fence I think. The map is where I think it is. I may be out by a bit.
They break down old computer gear, printers etc so they have micro switches, small motors, magnets, vacume pumps, fans, lots of junk.
Paul

[trayor]

Hello, I'm in palmerston north, building a CNC machine, partially build the z-axis, and some of the y-axis. Buying some steel for the x-axis tomorrow if I can get my design sorted.

Looking to purchase some motors, and drivers. Any ideas where to get hold of a reasonable (in my opinion) deal?

[paulC]

Originally Posted by trayor Hello, I'm in palmerston north, building a CNC machine, partially build the z-axis, and some of the y-axis. Buying some steel for the x-axis tomorrow if I can get my design sorted. Looking to purchase some motors, and drivers. Any ideas where to get hold of a reasonable (in my opinion) deal?

I have purchased two 200in/oz kits from hobbycnc. Have been quite pleased with the result. The kit does need the assembling of the curcuit board, something I have no problem with, but not everyone is confident with electronics.
Think you will find it cheaper to purchase from overseas than to buy locally.
A lot depends on the size and design of your machine and how fast you want it to travel. Gecko drives seem to be one of the most popular with machine builders and have drives to match both steppers and dc servos.
Paul

[synthetiklone]

Thanks for the info/map PaulC

Ive now setup a gallery and a build log here on CNCzone

the url should be in my sig below

OK, so now I got my own sig, and piccy, im hooked ok

tony

[trayor]

Hello PaulC,

Thanks for the advice, I'm currently engaing a couple of overseas suppliers, so we'll see how we get on.

Regards,
Trevor

[cncbits]

Hi to all NZ cnc builders. As listed above there is a Seaview based supplier of recovered components. There is also another in Petone and Myself in Bulls. I can supply L297 / 298 kits / Steppers if your only after full and half step controllers. Cheers

[paulC]

Originally Posted by cncbits Hi to all NZ cnc builders. As listed above there is a Seaview based supplier of recovered components. There is also another in Petone and Myself in Bulls. I can supply L297 / 298 kits / Steppers if your only after full and half step controllers. Cheers

What size steppers do you supply? New or recycled?
Paul