aerojc first router

[aerojc]

as of today i started the real work on my first router.

ive been willing to have such a tool on my workshop for some years but didn't had the time or access to knowledge to go for one.

so this thread will work as a work log of my first machine.

electronics already on their way here, and the gantry started today.

[aerojc]

looking at the software side i gave a look at the linux Ubuntu distro with the EMC software already installed. but dont have the electronics yet to try it. does anyone have experience with that?

[acondit]

Aerojc,

I am using emc2 with ubuntu on my router.
Here is my thread. Another new router project

There is also a section on emc here on the zone.

Alan

[adamziegler]

looking at the software side i gave a look at the linux Ubuntu distro with the EMC software already installed. but dont have the electronics yet to try it. does anyone have experience with that?

I am using HobbyCNC with EMC2. I have also used my own driver with EMC2. I have talked to guys using a Xylotex driver. I have seen it used with many many other drivers.

Let me know if you need some hints configuring the ini files for EMC.

You could also check out my build log here:
Ziegler's Machine Log

[aerojc]

thank adam and acondit for your posts,

nice machines!

ill watch your threads by the night!

[aerojc]

made the first tests with the axis interface it looks quite nice, know ive to update to gcode and converting 2d/3d models into gcode, that will take time.

it doens't seem more complex than vb and c# buts its new.

since this project will go with paralell tasks its going to be a nice ride.

what do you use to convert a 3d model into gcode?

does anyone as a 3d model of a wing?

[adamziegler]

I have have BobCAD... but it is not free, and support for 4-axis is lacking. GCAM on the open source scene is up and coming... might look into it.
http://gcam.js.cx/index.php/Main_Page

I have never used it myself. I dont even know if it can accept 3d files yet.

[aerojc]

last night i finished the z axis, it looks good.

i could put the images in the post so you'll have to check them in the gallery


http://www.cnczone.com/gallery/member.php?uid=64671

quality is low because they came from the mobile phone! next ones ill increase the definition.

[aerojc]

well two nights in a row, yesterday the z axis today the first linear bearing.

skate bearings are cheap 80 cents of an euro. the first test showed that we have a promise just with one it slides quite well, when finished i can imagine.

i also prepped the supports for the stepper motors.

reinforced the table with aluminum with t section. so i am moving.
still waiting for the electronics from motion control products, to start testing.

Ill keep you posted!

[aerojc]

weel it seems that motion control products is a good choice if youre living in portugal. they were fast in their delivery around 5 days.

bought the items directly in their online shop.

monday they are due in Portugal.

need to boost the fabrication. during the weekend to have the machine almost up and running during next week.

did anyone had problems with parallel port on ubuntu running the emc2 software?

kind of parallel port damage, i put this question since ill use my laptop for the job while i dont have my other machine ready for it.

another question would be did anyone use a old machine to do the job pII with clock speed of 500mhz and memory around 196 Mb?

[adamziegler]

The machine I used is 450mhz with only 64mb of ram. With the lower speed computers there will be some minor latency issues, but that means you might not be able to run your machine at 80ipm without loosing steps.

I had no issues with the parallel port on ubuntu.

[aerojc]

well tomorrow its the day for the arrival of the electronics so. its time to speed up a bit.

today was the day to finish the second set of linear bearings, and to mount them into the X axis, i did some resizing of the z axis to enlarge the working area in the X axis.

i was going to post the photos on the gallery but i exceeded the amount of available memory, so ill post it on my personal server and leave here the link later.

adam, thank you for the information, im ok with the hardware that i have reserved for the machine a pIII w 500 mhz and 196 Ram.

another question.

preliminary tests of the Y axis showed that the material vs configuration used for the Y Axis is prone to quite some play, and that might force me to change the tube material. Any suggestion? im using steel tube of 16 mm or .62 Inch.

- the position of the stepper is defined by the position we determine as the origin right? im a bit confused about that, and if it relates with the workspace and axis orientation on cad programs?

thanks for the input til
some photos of the current updates
now
!