My First CNC Log ( Solsyva )

[LarryRichardson]

Ok, I am on a mission! I am starting the build of the 25x37 Solsyva machine.

I got the plans yesterday, and they are very well laid out. I think the only improvement that I would have at this point would be that at the beginning of a step, that he layout what tools supplies needed for that step.

The changes that I made right off the bat were the acme rod upgrade (1/2 10) from enco. Seems like about $10-15. To save personal frustration (and time)at the big box, I ordered all my bolts from BoltDepot.com.

So, all the parts (minus the electronics) are on the way! I am struggling between the HobbyCNC and the Xylotex.

Software seems like another real grey area. Mach3 for the controller appears a no brainer. CAD - TurboCNC or maybe I can get a student copy (yes, I would be considered an 'seasoned' student ) of AutoCAD.

CAM ? Opinions? Also thought that PhotoVcarve might be a nice, relatively low price , do something nice for SWMBO quick.


Larry

[CarveOne]

Hi Larry, and welcome.

Two of the Enco 1/2-10 acme rods I received were fine but the third rod, though it was straight, had rough top edges on the tops of the threads. I was able to clean it up by lightly stoning it with a knife sharpening stone until it was smooth.

The Xylotex board is ready to run, and the HobbyCNC needs some assembly. The HobbyCNC has some circuit chip protection features that Xylotex doesn't have. Both are very popular boards though.

You have a choice of Mach3 for WinXP (commercial) or EMC2 (opensource)for Linux Ubuntu. Mach3 is the one with the most features. Both have forums on the CNCzone.

Pumelloman and I are currently working on one of these machines.

CarveOne

[LarryRichardson]

Thanks CarveOne. I have been watching you and Pumelloman for some time.

You'll have to step it up or this new kid will beat you to it LOL ! Fortunately , I have most of the tools and temporary space to make this happen. Even have a couple of spare PC's to use that have been waiting for a job.

I think I have most of the hardware on hand, and just ordered some dumpster nuts, so hopefully I can crank out some stuff soon. Take advantage of that "early motivation"

[CarveOne]

Yeah, we had a race going on for a while but I had an early lead on pumelloman at the start of his build log anyway. I'm back working on building an enclosure for the controller, fan, and power supply today. I set up a Xylotex configuration in EMC2 today also. Once the enclosure is finished, hopefully tomorrow, I hope to fire it all up. Uhhhh, figuratively, not literally I hope. The promised red oak and clear polycarbonate enclosure is mostly constructed but needs holes for the fan and cable access, then glue the polycarbonate pieces together with whatever adhesive is used for it.

Are you going to use the materials recommended in the plans or include some of the upgrades recommended by rc_flyer and others? One of the reasons I went with the 1/2-10 acme is so I can more easily change to multi-start acme later. I see that you will be doing that. If you can solder well enough there are some advantages of going with the HobbyCNC controller board kit. Consider their 305 in/lb steppers also.

CarveOne

[LarryRichardson]

I'll have to look for rc_flyers posts. I am going with the HobbyPC 305's, as soldering isn't a problem ( well, I have to wear different glasses for that stuff now ).

I was about *this* close to using 8020 for the gantry & z . Then I thought - just get it done and make the parts for machine #2 LOL Maybe a Joes 4x4 , If I can find a place to put it.

Should be able to order the motors/controllers around the first of the month.

I noticed that have some Cnpc (sp) boards for relay control. Which causes me to ask "What happens if a PC crashes in the middle of a job?". I bet that is why the big red button is there! But seriously, does the software allow for restart/resume?

[BobF]

I just went through all of these choices. I built Joes 2006 machine. For software I would recommend Vectric Vcarve Pro. I searched all over the web becasue the price for Vcarve seemed like more than I wanted to spend for that. Now that I have it, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Vcarve has enough drawing tools built in that I can do most of what I want without leaving the program. So far I have not found that I need a separate CAD program to draw, just draw in Vcarve and generate tool paths. It also will import most clipart and I find many things I want to cut available as clipart I can use. If it is vector clipart you can easily scale it to suit. They also have a free demo you can download and try before you buy.
http://vectric.com

[CarveOne]

I am going with the HobbyPC 305's, as soldering isn't a problem ( well, I have to wear different glasses for that stuff now ).

Yeah, me too....

The 5 start acme rods will give you 100+ipm rapids. 1 start will be around 40ipm or so. When I make the change on my machine it will add cost for the rods and new anti-backlash nuts.

If you need part numbers and source info for the 1/2" ID bearings and pulleys I used, look in my build log or just ask and I'll post the part numbers. I think I posted the info already. No machining of the acme rod was needed, just acme nuts.

CarveOne