A draft of a newbie overview of hobby level CNCing... please comment

[InspirationTool]

When I research a subject, I often like to write an article to capture and share that research.

I've written a DRAFT article on the "CNC Toolchain". Listing your different options for CAD, CAM, drivers, machines, etc....

Please check it out here:

http://www.jeffalbro.net/cnc/toolchain/

Please give me your feedback and comment on how useful a document would be.

Thanks!

-Jeff

[motomitch1]

Looks good you can get a Haas Mini Mill for $31,000

[InspirationTool]

Originally Posted by motomitch1 Looks good you can get a Haas Mini Mill for $31,000

Thanks! I've updated it.

-Jeff

[Kipper]

Had a look heres what I thought, "Ballsrews cant be used manually" I think they can. Linux emc "a version of Linux for controlling machines only" EMC is just a program that runs under Linux using a real time driver. "Servos are more expensive and complicated than steppers" From my limited understanding they are just simple DC motors. "Rack and pinion faster than a ballscrew" I cant see it. IH a better choice for CNC conversion" Do IH make their own machines or just paint them like most other MM suppliers? All in all an informative overview....You could mention that once you figure out how to make it all work it seems so simple :beer:

[InspirationTool]

You said:

***Ballsrews cant be used manually" I think they can.

But they are back-driveable, correct? Doesn't that mean the cutter would push the table?

***Linux emc "a version of Linux for controlling machines only" EMC is just a program that runs under Linux using a real time driver.

Fixed.

***"Servos are more expensive and complicated than steppers" From my limited understanding they are just simple DC motors.

The motors require encoders and then must have thier PID values tuned. I haven't seen many prices for the motors, so maybe I'm wrong on that.

***"Rack and pinion faster than a ballscrew" I cant see it.

Shopbot with R & P has rapids of 1800 IPM. And there is no risk of long screws whipping at high speeds.

*** IH a better choice for CNC conversion" Do IH make their own machines or just paint them like most other MM suppliers?

Poor wording on my part. I meant any dovetail column machine. Fixed now.

Keep the feedback coming!

Thanks!

-Jeff

[ger21]

There are commercial routers with ballscrews that can cut at over 2000ipm, not just rapid. But typically, for hobby use, rack and pinion is cheaper to go fast, because you'd need high lead ballscrews, which can be very expensive.

[InspirationTool]

Originally Posted by ger21 There are commercial routers with ballscrews that can cut at over 2000ipm, not just rapid. But typically, for hobby use, rack and pinion is cheaper to go fast, because you'd need high lead ballscrews, which can be very expensive.

I changed it to:

They are far less expensive and capable of moving faster over large distances than all but the most expensive ball screws.