Super X1 conversion - what do I need

[bruce_miranda]

I've just got myself a Super X1 from the UK. Because its a Red one I guess its the same one as the Arc Euro Trade model.

I bought this with the sole intention of making this a CNC model.

I am a private DIY guy on a budget but I also don't believe in false economy so want to absolutely get this right but with the least expense as possible.

1. First off what motors do I need for this mill.
I read conflicting information about needing the 3Nm (425oz-in) for this Mill but then when I read the http://www.xylotex.com/FAQ.htm they said to use the 1.85Nm (262oz-in) ones as you get better rapids. Because costwise there is not much difference between the two motors.

2. Next I want to be able to run this using software like Mach 3 etc. I know I need something to connect to the Parallel Port. But what. What's the difference between a Stepper Driver and a Stepper Controller. Or do I buy something like the xylotex which does both in one unit.

3. Can the Xylotex board only be used with Mach2 or can I use Mach3 on it too.

4. Anyone know which CNC kit is better or are there others available too?
http://www.kdntool.com/_sgg/m1m1_1.htm
http://www.cncfusion.com/micromill1.html

I'll create a website to guide others through this conversion because there are not too many UK people who have written about this.

[bucklnwr]

Hi Bruce

Have you spoken to ARC Eurotrade themselves about the comversion. They have demonstrated a conversion of their mills at previous ME exhibitions, so could well advise you. The carry a range of stepper motors, one of which would be suitable. I have used their steppers to power a Taig/Peatol milling machine quite satisfactorily. I expect they will be at the Midlands Model Engineering show in October, but it might be worthwhile contacting them to check before you leave home.

For the control board, I used the Compucut system, made in Coventry. I run Mach 2, only because I use an old laptop that is not capable (speed and memory wise) of running Mach 3.

Hope this is helpful.

Keith

[fragger6662000]

Hi,

I have converted a super x1 from arc euro trade. i origanally used an hobby cnc drive with there 200 oz motors. I found this weak and a little unrelyable on the z axis inparticular. i then upgraded to a motion control product drivers and they have been no problems at all. The driver that i am using is the 542 drivers. they are £32.50 each. but using the same 200oz motors on the x and y and a 426oz on the z.

currently i have them directly connected to the parallel port with no break out board but you can easily use a breakout board. the drivers them selves are opto issolated.

The x and y axis are using the standard screws but the z i have converted with a ball screw and have counter weighted the spindle.

I have upgraded the spindle to 8000rpm with a home built belt drive which offers 3 speeds. 8000rpm 4000rpm and the standard 2000rpm.

I run a conservative 600 mm/min rapid but i recond i could double that. I have just no cause to try and increase the rapid further. It is a small machine!

CNC wise i use mach 3 and sheetcam to generate tool paths.

Matt

[bruce_miranda]

OK two things happened today. I spoke with Arc Euro Trade and explained what I was doing. They said that 1.8Nm motors were absolutely fine to use on their machine. They did not have any preferred method but gave me a few pointers.

Second Xylotex are out for me because they wont ship to the UK due to RoHS restrictions of the Lead used in their solder. So I'll now have to find something locally.

How do you connect the power supplies directly to the parallel port without a Breakout board.

Also does anyone know if the couplers from CNCFusion are 8mm - 6.35mm or 8mm - 6mm?

[chalky]

You can get xylotex style drivers and breakout boards from either diycnc.co.uk or routout.com. They work out cheaper than importing xylotex stuff. The diycnc drivers etc are particularly good if you're on a budget because you can get everything in kit form and save yourself some money. I can also recommend the motion control products drivers ( in particular ) and steppers. I did a diy belt drive conversion and wished I'd done it as soon as I'd got the machine. Replace the crappy gibs with nicely machined brass ones and lap the ways - really reduces torque required to move the axes. You can do an awful lot with and x1 - it just takes time.

[Crevice Reamer]

Hi Bruce. Welcome to the Zone!

I would recommend the totally easy use of the $299 Gecko 540. It is a combination unkillable 4 axis drive and breakout board. All you would need to do is wire the power supply to it, plug in the parallel cable and connect the motor cables and current resistors. (It comes with motor cable DB9 connectors) There is a spare drive in the box for a future 4th Axis.

http://geckodrive.com/product.aspx?c=3&i=14469

For motors, I would use the Keling KL23H276-4Bs. They cost $39 each and are 270 oz.

For Power supply, Use the $60 Keling KL350-48.

http://kelinginc.net/

Both of these companies ship internationally.

CR.

[Crevice Reamer]

Keling also has a very nice E stop switch for $9.95, and (when he gets them back in stock) some interesting helical couplings for $16 each.

CR.

[bruce_miranda]

OK just ordered the CNC Fusion kit unless somebody strongly feels that the KDNtools kit is better. I have to admit that I actually like the KDNtools mountings but the CNC Fusion kit looks nice. Please tell me if I have made the right move or should I cancel my order with CNC Fusion.

[fragger6662000]

the cnc fusion kit seams ok. i design and built my motor mounts which are very easy to do.

As for the 1.8nm seams a little weak for the z axis. All my problems was with the z axis and was the reason that i upgraded my whole system. just to clarify the parrallel port only supplies signal not power. a sepperate power supply is required for the drivers.

[bruce_miranda]

If I were to choose a single power supply which would be the best

PS705 - 75V DC at 0A & 68V DC at 5A
PS487 - 48V DC at 0A & 45V DC at 7A
PS407 - 40V DC at 0A and 38V DC at 7A

Also would any of these be fine to run 3 x 1.8Nm or 2 x 1.8Nm and 1 x3Nm or would I definately need two power supplies in parallel.

Besides Motion Control where else can I get cheap Power Supply Units in the UK. I can build one myself too but am finding that more and more these days that building does not necessarily mean cheaper.

[Crevice Reamer]

What power supply depends on the motors you use, and how much voltage the drivers can handle.

Formula for best/Max power supply voltage is 32 times the square root of the motor inductance.

Formula for PS amperage is .67 times total motor amps.

The G540 is your best driver package.

CR.

[bruce_miranda]

So if I'm planning to use 3 of these http://www.motioncontrolproducts.co....76-2808B-1.pdf what power supply do I need.

And if I'm planning to use 2 of the above and 1 of http://www.motioncontrolproducts.co....&products_id=6
what would I need?