Newbie- Just getting my feet wet

[Dabeechman]

I just wanted to introduce myself...I am an EET student in southern California, and I am doing some research on building a 3-axis CNC. The only main difference I have is that I must develop my own proprietary 3-d software. Should be a challenge, but I wanted to express my admiration for some of the DIY projects you folks have completed.

Haha, I would like to think I am pretty mechanically inclined...but wow, some of the terminology is over my head thus far. I will start a build blog when my project gets under way.

Since my project has be to able to detect errors I have looked into the CNCBrain, but I would also like some information on linear scales, and how to interface to them...if that is even possible.

Thank you guys.

[CarveOne]

Welcome to the Zone. Sounds like a daunting project. The software side of it anyway.

The interfaces for the "linear capacitive LCD scales" and the "linear glass scales" can be found through web searches on those terms and other terms that you will find on the sites of the various scale makers and sellers. You just need the specs for the pulse voltage amplitudes, pulse widths, and timings for the scales you plan to work with and what the CNC Brain can work with.

The experts are here on CNC Zone somewhere. They seem to just pop up when you need their help.

CarveOne

[Dabeechman]

Thanks for the reply. I have had a lot of people including my professors tell me how crazy I am for taking on something like this. I suspect something like a 2-d project wouldn't be too awfully hard to code for, but a 3-d model will take a lot more planning and forethought.

Should be interesting nonetheless.

Thanks

[CarveOne]

Take a look at this site and book mark it for reference. Some detail about Chinese scale and Digimatic scale interfaces are here with descriptions and waveforms. Enjoy!

http://www.shumatech.com/support/chi...tic%20Protocol

CarveOne

[Dabeechman]

That was some great information! I am a little impressed already from the wealth of knowledge this forum has. Very informative, it really makes me want to do this project.

I have been contemplating on whether to build my mill, or to buy one. My dad and I are pretty mechanically inclined, plus we have our own machine shop so fab work is not a big deal. However, making a mini-mill that is tight and zero tolerance doesn't sound like it would be any cheaper (or better) then say a central mill.

What do you think? Is it best to just modify an existing mill? How accurate are all of these DIY tables?

Thanks

[CarveOne]

Taig sells ready to run precision mini-mills that engineering prototype parts are made with. http://www.taigtools.com/mmill.html

You can find cnc conversion packages for the Chinese mini-mills sold by Harbor Freight, Cummins Tools, Grizzly Industrial, and thousands of other places. They require some handy work by the owner to make them into precision cnc machines. The conversion is not a one week project for most people. If you are on a deadline to complete your project it will be best to buy or lease a cnc mill and/or lathe if you can. Build one later if you want one for long term use and just like to build stuff yourself.

Yahoo Groups forums has groups for most all kinds of machines and DIY cnc builders. As does CNC Zone of course.

CarveOne