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Thread: controller box questions

  1. #1
    Registered maker of things's Avatar
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    controller box questions

    How large of a box do I need to enclose the controller components? I'm planning on a c10 bob, (3) kl-5056 stepper drivers, a kl-600-48 power supply and some sort of fan(s). At some point in the future I will add a 4th kl-5056.
    Searching for this info has produced too many hits, or maybe I'm not working it right.
    -Jon


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    Gold Member hoss2006's Avatar
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    A PC case is enough room and they are common affordable choices, those and server boxes, etc.
    That's what they're for, housing electronics and you can already have a useful power supply and fans with some.
    For that pro look you can get a Nema case from many places like here.
    Enclosures Products
    Hoss
    http://www.hossmachine.info - Gosh, you've... really got some nice toys here. - Roy Batty -- http://www.g0704.com - http://www.bf20.com - http://www.g0602.com


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    Whatever you do, decide how much space you need, then double it. It will not only make wiring easier, but give you room for growth. Invariably, if you buy a box that you think is the "right" size, it WILL end up being too small, probably before you're even done with the initial build. My E-box enclosure is a 24" x 24" x 12" NEMA12 enclosure (found for $99 on E-Bay!), and it's now barely big enough, after three years of improvements and added features.

    Regards,
    Ray L.


  4. #4
    Gold Member hoss2006's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by maker of things View Post
    How large of a box do I need to enclose the controller components? I'm planning on a c10 bob, (3) kl-5056 stepper drivers, a kl-600-48 power supply and some sort of fan(s). At some point in the future I will add a 4th kl-5056.
    Searching for this info has produced too many hits, or maybe I'm not working it right.

    Keling (Automation Technologies Inc) Shows an efficient layout of the components you list including 4 drivers in one of their 17x13x5 control boxes.
    http://www.kelinginc.net/Controlbox.pdf
    Not much room for expansion in something that small so you might want to plan ahead for adding additional components someday.
    I went big enough so I had room for drivers 5 and 6, the spindle motor controller and several other little boards and relays.
    Hoss
    http://www.hossmachine.info - Gosh, you've... really got some nice toys here. - Roy Batty -- http://www.g0704.com - http://www.bf20.com - http://www.g0602.com


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    Community Moderator Al_The_Man's Avatar
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    The Kelling unit does not seem to abide by the more safe and code necessary hardware E-stop?
    Looks as though it goes into the PC and no hardware disconnect of spindle or drives?
    I agree with Ray, there never seems to be enough room at the end of the build, I usually lay all the components out and calculate the size of the backplane I might need.
    Ebay is a good source of industrial enclosures.
    Al.
    CNC, Mechatronics Integration and Custom Machine Design (Skype Avail).

    “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
    Albert E.


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    Gold Member hoss2006's Avatar
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    I showed the keling pdf for physical layout purposes only.
    The OP's question wasn't about wiring, yet, I'll leave those questions for the experts.
    Hoss
    http://www.hossmachine.info - Gosh, you've... really got some nice toys here. - Roy Batty -- http://www.g0704.com - http://www.bf20.com - http://www.g0602.com


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    Thanks for the info. I have a pc box so for the price sounds like a good starting point.
    I ordered bob, steppers/drivers, estop and ps from Keling (automation technologies) last night. I still need 3 limit switches and a relay for the 110 stuff.
    -Jon


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