Newbie- New machine - Zenbot 16x12x4

[PeterG]

I've lurked on here for quite a while, soaking up all the info I can on DIY wood routers. I've got a basement full of parts and someday I'll make a larger unit of my own, but for now, I'm sticking with buying mostly-built systems, until I get the hang of things.

The ZenBot is the second router I've purchased. I sort of stalled on progress of my first one, a WidgetMaster 9x14x3. I ended up selling that to a friend and went after this belt-drive unit on eBay.

Does anyone have any experience with the ZenBots? I've only seen a couple posts when searching the site, both seem to be positive. I forked over $1200 for this unit, including shipping. It includes everything (XYZ table, 280oz/in steppers, cables, drives, power supply), so it sounds like a fair deal.

It comes with a tool holder for a Rotozip, but I'd prefer to use my Porter Cable 7310. I own both, but I think the first (practical) thing I cut will probably be a tool holder for the PC 7310. The Rotozip seems to have more rotating mass than the PC, which gives it a nasty gyroscope effect when trying to make precision movements by hand. Since the ZenBot is a belt drive machine, I'm betting that would translate into some bouncing around during rapids.

I plan on doing mostly wood and plastic parts, with the occasional circuit board thrown in there.

[stevespo]

Can you give us an update on your Zenbot? Speed, accuracy, durability? I'd be curious to hear what your thoughts are. The youtube videos look very nice. The belt drive system and steppers move the router very quickly and smoothly.

Steve

[PeterG]

Gosh, I haven't logged in to CNCZone in years! Time to fix that.

Well, the ZenBot got assembled, played with a bit and then it gathered dust in the basement for over a year. That was until I discovered an old friend had started a group makerspace called TC Maker (we're in the Twin Cities: Minneapolis & Saint Paul). For those interested, they have a website/forum at www.tcmaker.org.

After a quick tour of the place, I dusted off the ZenBot, brought it over and re-adjusted it. I built a nice new control box for it (drivers, PC, power supply/etc all in one box) and now it's one of the most popular machines in the CNC area. It's just the right size for smaller projects like clocks, signs, engraving and circuit boards.

Feedback about the ZenBot:

Plus: Overall, it's a very sturdy unit (for being made of HDPE and a Baltic birch table). It will give you many happy hours of cutting soft and hardwood, plastics and (if you're gentle and take shallow cuts) aluminum, copper and brass. I use a RotoZip (the original one) as a spindle and can do all of the above as well as isolation routing of circuit boards.

Minus: I added limit switches to mine, as well as a big E-stop button. Why ZenBot doesn't include them, I don't know. This is a pretty minor gripe, and if you can solder, it's something easy to do yourself rather than have the manufacturer do.

Current (frequently used) software:

EMC2 on Ubuntu 10.04 (standard distro from Linuxcnc.org)
DeltaCad (Really nice, inexpensive 2d CAD for Windows.)
InkScape with G-code extensions (2.5D)

Current hardware:

ZenBot 12x16x4 + added limit switches and E-stop
Solid state relays for spindle/flood/mist power - controlled via serport EMC module
Logitech Dual Action USB gamepad for jogging - a pendant for less than $15!
Intel Atom-based mini-ATX board, 2GB RAM, 120Gb laptop HD (they handle vibration better than desktop HDs do)

TODO: (because no matter how long you own your CNC, there's always *something*)

I've been using a variac that's floating around the shop for speed control, but I'd like to pick up a Harbor Freight 43060 router speed controller.

I'd like to build a little "air catcher" to duct some of the exhaust air from the spindle into an adjustable nozzle, so it can be aimed at the workpiece/bit if desired.

Last but not least: a video and a photo of the controls.

cutting foam at 240IPM for vacuum forming

cutting foam at 240IPM for vacuum forming

That's it for now! Sorry for being long-winded; trying to make up for lost time.