Emergency and Limit Switches X2

[BrassBuilder]

Anyone have any recommendations for emergency and limit switches for my X2 CNC conversion? Keling sells e-switches, but they were out. I'd like to get something that I know will work. Hence...my post here.

Are there any other switches I need? I saw a post on a spindle switch. Do I need that?

With that...do I even need the limit switches? From what I can see of Mach3, there is a way to limit the table travel from the software itself.

Thanks
Mike

[Adamj12b]

Limit switch's are not mandatory, but they are a good idea. You will need to have homing switch's, which can also be used as one of the limit switch's. Im not sure what a spindle switch is, but it sounds like it could be a tach pulse or something. You can use the soft limit feature of Mach 3 and not use limit switch's but it is not as safe. -Adam

[hoss2006]

Unless you're running servos, limit switches on an X2 are just icing on the cake.
Steppers (typically 425's) don't have enough power to really do any damage.
Run the x axis till it hits the table end cap and the stepper will just make a bunch of noise as it misses steps.
It's all cast iron not aluminum like some other little mills.
Limits will keep you from over stepping the bounds of the table travel
and screwing up the program in the middle of a run.
But home switches and soft limits will do that too and be less headache.
You can get a little help here for setting it up.
And also this video.
Try searching for micro switch at McMaster Carr for some nice limit/home switches. Rollers or plungers would be better.
A little pricier though than the ones I used from Surplus Center.
Hoss

[BrassBuilder]

Originally Posted by hoss2006 Unless you're running servos, limit switches on an X2 are just icing on the cake.

That is sort of what I thought. I might add them after I get the conversion done and things running. A good portion of my parts are fairly small and I rarely (if ever) have to run the table the full length in any direction.

However, what about an emergency shut-off switch? Would it be a good idea to have something that will shut the system down with the push of a button?
Any recomendation or part numbers/supplier?
Mike

[hoss2006]

Hey Mike,
Cnc4pc has a very nice E-stop switch like on a real cnc mill.
Mach Motion has one also.
This small simple switch would work too.
I use a similar one with keygrabber that emulates the E-stop button in Mach 3(Alt+S).
Works very well.
Hoss

[BrassBuilder]

That is what I was looking for. This brings up another question after looking at the Mach Motion site.

In my first thread, someone posted about getting shielded cable. I see Mach Motion has 2, 5, 10, and 15 conductor shielded cable. Do I need any of this? Length? I am using the 425 oz NEMA 23 motor kit from Keling and the KL-4030 drivers. I have an old tower computer case here that I was going to mount everything in.

Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.

Mike

[hoss2006]

The 5 conductor could work for hooking up the motors (if they are wired for bipolar - 4 wires needed)
a little on the thin side though.(22 AWG) allthough
thats the same AWG as the steppers wires.
I used 2 pairs of speaker wire (16AWG).

[LongRat]

For the small cost, I would get limit switches on your X2. I run NEMA34 450 oz.in steppers on mine and can snap big cutters by driving a vice into them when they are not rotating (guess how I know...). That sort of force was bad enough, but I wouldn't want to STALL these motors at the ends of the travel as I am sure the ballscrews/nuts/balls would suffer some damage.

[BrassBuilder]

Originally Posted by LongRat For the small cost, I would get limit switches on your X2. I run NEMA34 450 oz.in steppers on mine and can snap big cutters by driving a vice into them when they are not rotating (guess how I know...). That sort of force was bad enough, but I wouldn't want to STALL these motors at the ends of the travel as I am sure the ballscrews/nuts/balls would suffer some damage.

I agree. I found switches for all of $2.00. I haven't ordered them yet because it does not seem that ONE company carried everything I needed (at least during my impatient search last night). I got the e-switch, shielded cable, and a parallel cable ordered from Mach Motion last nite. I'll order the limit switches as soon as I figure out what other stuff I need.
Thanks
Mike

[GoFaster]

I just completed the conversion of my X2 with the CNCFusion kit. Looking at ways to mount home/limit switches and actuator ramps. Drilling and tapping the cast parts of the mill is easy but how about the saddle and X slide? I can't use the mill nor do I have a drill press. Can I drill into these parts with a hand held drill?

[hoss2006]

The saddle and table are cast iron too, drill away.
Just watch your depth so you don't hit the dovetails.
Hoss

[BrassBuilder]

Originally Posted by GoFaster I just completed the conversion of my X2 with the CNCFusion kit. Looking at ways to mount home/limit switches and actuator ramps. Drilling and tapping the cast parts of the mill is easy but how about the saddle and X slide? I can't use the mill nor do I have a drill press. Can I drill into these parts with a hand held drill?

I found one site that the owner just silicone glued the limit switches in place. I guess if you used enough, that should hold them. I guess I would prefer to bolt them though.
Mike