It's Alive!! (Sort of)

[Gashmore]

After lurking here for some time I devised an idea for a CNC router using up as much of my junk box as possible and this weekend I cranked it up for the first time. It is not ready to actually cut anything just yet but at least it is responding to Mach2.

It has a capacity of about 40x26x6 which was dictated by the dimensions of the 8020 pieces I had on hand. Motors are 130 in.oz. Sanyo Step-syn from a couple of old IBM DP printers. Drivers are IMS483s that I picked up on eBay. Rolled ballscrews are from McMaster and bearings are cheepies from VXB. (BTW I won the pocket bike!) Breakout relay and charge pump boards are CNC4PC. The ELO touch screen and waterproof keyboard will eventually end up on the boat.

Some things I have learned so far.
Shoulda sprung for some Geckos. The 4A 48V IMs483s limit my choice of motors. I am not getting the speed I want out of the Sanyos. I have a couple of 700 in.oz double stack NEMA34s but the IMS drivers don't have enough power to drive them.

Don't try to mill your own bushing blocks unless you are a very good machinist. If you are off a thou you can double the friction.

First problem. The CNC4PC charge pump is looking for 12.5Khz from Mach2 but I am only getting 6.4Khz. Had to temporarily bypass it.

[ignatz]

You must have the greatest junk box in the world. Do you have more pictures?

[CNCRob]

You must have the greatest junk box in the world. Do you have more pictures?

I agree, it looks great, his junk would probably be alot of peoples treasure.

[Gashmore]

Actually it is more a 20 year accumulation of interesting and curious things aided by a loyal spotter at the local recycling yard. He turned me onto most of the 80/20 parts and a mystery device from the local AFB that I salvaged the drivers and transformers out of. I just can't resist disassembling old electronic stuff and salvaging the best parts.

I will get some more pictures up tomorrow.