x3 cnc help

[ramkitty]

I have been thinking about getting a glass scale dro or going the cnc route. The glass scale cnc will cost around the same price as the mechanicals from cncfusion. Leaving the steppers for me to get (have a controller and power supplies)

Getting a dro would allow for accurate machining manually but a cnc is much more capable. I do not have another unit so I will end up doing everything on the cnc should that be the route I take.

I have seen fignoggle plans but can not find any reviews on how well they work and if they are any good nor the costs of buying and machining the bits myself vs buying the full kit from cncfusion.

Thoughts or suggestions please.

[ramkitty]

I have done some more digging and have found stuff that previously did not show up in my earlier searches

this good thread
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bencht...3_g0602-5.htmll
lists several different builds.

One which was interesting to me was the cncmonkey build he even gave his plans up for public use but it appears his domain is now gone and his plans too?

[Maglin]

It will be much easier to buy a kit from CNC fusion. It works great from what others have said. If you don't go deluxe and get the regular kit it's not much more than you doing it yourself and paying someone to turn down the screws. With the CNC you won't need the DRO and once you have ballscrews you won't or really its unpractical to use manually.

[ViperTX]

ramkitty,
Take a look at MRM RCModels build of an X3 using the CNCFusion Deluxe Kit. He also extended the Y-Axis by 1 inch or so by speaking with Michael at CNCFusion.

I used the same kit and am quite happy. Moving to full CNC is not easy, unless you have alot of experience with CNC.

I'm not a machinist, so I have a CNCed X3 and a manual RF-31 mill. I still prefer to do certain work on the manual machine (like face milling and boring).

Good luck,

Paul

[cornbinder23]

And dont forget this guy Page 26

A wealth of info here!

Whatever happened to him? he hasnt been active for a LONG time!!

I am using the cnc fusion kit and am quite happy with it on my SX3


JTCUSTOMS

[ramkitty]

what are the main differences between the cncfusion kit and the deluxe kit.
I know backlash goes to near zero but found little about backlash in the normal kit. My current project (kozo pensy a3 switcher) requires milling to within a thou and using mach 3 I can compensate for some backlash with what looks like little for poor results based on hossess testing.

Thanks for the creavice reamer site, I dont know how I have not found that in all my searches previous.

[ramkitty]

I think I have the hardware dealt with, the one piece of the puzzle I want to deal with before I buy gear is the cam piece. I have a demo of mach 3 and I want to try converting a solidworks piece to a cam job to load in mach 3 and set up with the controller I have kicking around. What are some good reading pieces on converting cad to a tool path and what cam software would you recommend.

[cornbinder23]

I am really getting to like CAMBAM
they have a trial version you can try out for free for 40 tries, or they have a free beta version that is free

JTCUSTOMS

[ramkitty]

I will check it out, I tried out solidcam and followed their tutorial solidcam jumpstart to make a gcode file. I connected and configured my controller (has leds for axis movement) and ran the code. I am successfully getting the correct lights lit as it works through each step and I can follow the tool path in mach3 while the correct lights illuminate during its movement. The only part I need to figure out now is the mechanicals (cncfusion likely) and the electro/mechanical parts/configuration.

I know now how the gcode is set for the stock and to make the cut but I am unsure how you tell the controller where the machine is and how to set up a part home so that the machine can do its thing where its supposed to and of course I have to figure out cutting speeds, depth, feedrates and such.

[ramkitty]

well I have some cam experience now, I demoed solidcam and have been working through their training exercises doing face milling, profiling, pocketing and drilling. I understand how to set references on the stock and mill down. Slightly unsure about how to reference the stock in the machine especially when it involves turning/moving the part but I think I have the rough idea. I ordered some steppers and am building the courage to order the cncfusion deluxe kit.

My big question at this time is if I buy the deluxe kit I will have a 5mm pitch screw so each axis will move 5mm per motor rotation. I set up mach3 based on these settings. I have my parts designed in thousandths of an inch. Do I work my cam in metric or do I do the cam in imperial? I am unsure how to have the machine set for metric but run a project in imperial units.

[ramkitty]

also what are your thoughts on gwizard calculator. Is this often used for doc feedrates and rpm determination?

[ViperTX]

If you're using imperial (US) use that. When you configure Mach3 you also do that in imperial. It will make sense once you start tuning each axis.

Paul