Getting Started with CNC Controllers

[RPCElectronics]

If this thread is in the wrong forum, mods, please move it with my pre-appologies. There are so many sub forums on this site, its hard to know where to put a post

I am just starting to gather information to build my own CNC. I am hoping to do a Harbor Freight conversion. Seen it done by others and it seems like a good way to go. I want to so a simple three axis CNC with steppers. I am looking for a controller card that can control all three axis', with an external power supply. I rather supply the power externally to the controller and the motors. I don't mind a kit, I have been designing/building electronics for years, so that is not a problem.

I started to look up the Gecko controllers since they seem to be a favorite, but I am confused right off the bat. I kept seeing listings for ~$148 for the Gecko, but when I went to the site, I saw this:

http://pico-systems.com/oscrc4/catal...products_id=22

$100 seems too cheap and they mention it being an interface between the controller, so that leads me to believe this is not all I need for the controller side.

Any guidance would be great!

Thanks in advance.

Jason
RPC Electronics, LLC
www.rpc-electronics.com

[RPCElectronics]

After doing a bunch of research, I think I have settled on what I need for my basic three-axis machine:

Harbor Freight Mill:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47158

Controller from Easy CNC:

http://www.easy-cnc.com/3axisdriver.html

NEMA 23 Steppers:

Found some on eBay, I just have to decide on the torque rating I want.

Retrofit kit for NEMA 23 steppers to the HF Mill:

http://www.cncfusion.com/micromill1.html

All in all, roughly $1K to get started. This doesn't include registering Mach3, but I am not settled on that yet. Its not the money, but the pride I really have in building it myself.

[jalessi]

Jason,

What kind of parts do you plan on making with the CNC?

Jeff...

[RPCElectronics]

Originally Posted by jalessi What kind of parts do you plan on making with the CNC?

I want to mostly mill thin aluminum (1-3mm thickness) panels for electronics products/projects. I would also like to get to the point where I can engrave them with labeling, as well.

[jalessi]

Jason,

The stepper drive you are planning on using is very much like a Xylotex.

Make sure you purchase stepper motors with a dual shaft so you can attach a
damper otherwise you may be plagued with mid band resonance problems galore.

http://www.kelinginc.net/KL23H276-28-4B.pdf

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32284

Jeff...

[RPCElectronics]

Originally Posted by jalessi Jason, The stepper drive you are planning on using is very much like a Xylotex. Make sure you purchase stepper motors with a dual shaft so you can attach a damper otherwise you may be plagued with mid band resonance problems galore. http://www.kelinginc.net/KL23H276-28-4B.pdf http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32284

Ah! Thank you for the tip. I was unaware of this. Looks like I need to do a little more reading before I buy anything. The NEMA 23 steppers I have been looking at on eBay have dual shaft, so sounds like I need to make sure to stick with those.

What do you recommend for damping?

EDIT: I started reading the thread you linked and it looks like a dampener is not much more than an aluminum "puck" with loose weights installed. Am I correct to assume that? Any good source for these?

Thanks!

[RPCElectronics]

These are the eBay steppers I am looking at right now. Kelinginc, dual shaft model:

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-PCS-NEW-NEMA-2...item1c0e1ac5a4