2nd Build (first) - Saturn CNC 2'x4'

[FineLineAuto]

I actually haven't yet, Nate. I see most people testing electronics with the steppers on a workbench and I'm thinking that's probably a good idea. So these will come off for testing but I wanted to make certain everything bolted together and tensioned properly first. Once I am comfortable that my electronics are working correctly then I'll put it all back together and use thread lock. I have some old Sta-Lok red that is designated 'permanent' and I'm not sure I need to use that. I should probably get some Locktite blue, green, or purple.

Sounds like a plan. Use the blue. Every screw on the machine that doesn't have a split lock washer or nylon locknut gets a shot of blue locktit


Nate
Fine Line Automation
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[difalkner]

You should get a waterproof cable gland like these to run your motor cables into the box: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005F...7sL&ref=plSrch

As far as switches go, i would recommend an inductive proximity switch with a 12mm body and 8mm sensing range.

Nate
Fine Line Automation
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Out of curiosity, Nate, why shouldn't I bring all of these cables into the box through one opening? The cables are shielded and will be up against each other in the cable chain so why separate them to have their own entry into the box? I understand this would make it easier to trace which is which at the box but the cables will likely be tied together or laying beside each other in Panduit inside the box. And I know the separate entry points will be water resistant if I choose that style but if I get water near these then I have much bigger problems. I'm just thinking that one hole for each motor and one for each proximity sensor and you end up with a lot of holes... thanks!

[adirondak5]

Thanks, Adi!! So do you build guitars or chairs or otherwise use Adirondack Spruce?

Yes, it is a very beefy machine. I've had several friends come over and all have been surprised that it is actually as stout as I told them. Glad you're enjoying the thread! It's almost as much fun as building the machine.

David

Yes , I do build guitars , solid bodies , have not tried an acoustic yet . That's mostly what I use my machine for . Here's one of my earlier builds .



I was glad to see you are going with a spindle on your build , that's one thing I wish I had got with my machine but I was stretching the budget at the time so I went with a router . One of these days I would like to switch it out for a spindle . Not that I've had any issues other than putting up with the noise of the router . Looking forward to seeing your updates .

[difalkner]

Yes , I do build guitars , solid bodies , have not tried an acoustic yet . That's mostly what I use my machine for . Here's one of my earlier builds .



I was glad to see you are going with a spindle on your build , that's one thing I wish I had got with my machine but I was stretching the budget at the time so I went with a router . One of these days I would like to switch it out for a spindle . Not that I've had any issues other than putting up with the noise of the router . Looking forward to seeing your updates .

Nice looking guitar! Curly Maple body? I'm not into electrics but do hope I get to cut some bodies and necks for some folks. I'm on my first acoustic build (you can see a bit of it in a photo or two) and plan to build many, many more.

Yes, I agree on the noise and that's the primary reason I went with the water cooled spindle - extremely low noise. Plus, it can run for hours and hours every day where a router might have to be replaced 2-3 times a year at that rate. But hey, you're using yours and mine is still being built. At this point a router would be just as quiet since I haven't turned it on yet! LOL!

[adirondak5]

Nice looking guitar! Curly Maple body? I'm not into electrics but do hope I get to cut some bodies and necks for some folks. I'm on my first acoustic build (you can see a bit of it in a photo or two) and plan to build many, many more.

Yes, I agree on the noise and that's the primary reason I went with the water cooled spindle - extremely low noise. Plus, it can run for hours and hours every day where a router might have to be replaced 2-3 times a year at that rate. But hey, you're using yours and mine is still being built. At this point a router would be just as quiet since I haven't turned it on yet! LOL!

Thanks , its a flame maple cap on a chambered swamp ash body . Have you decided on CAD/CAM yet ? I've been using Vectric programs , I started with Cut2D years ago and upgraded to V-Carve Pro and now to Aspire , I also have Rhino but rarely use it as Aspire usually handles most for me . That was my biggest hurdle going CNC , learning the software that goes with it , but its been enjoyable .

[difalkner]

Thanks , its a flame maple cap on a chambered swamp ash body . Have you decided on CAD/CAM yet ? I've been using Vectric programs , I started with Cut2D years ago and upgraded to V-Carve Pro and now to Aspire , I also have Rhino but rarely use it as Aspire usually handles most for me . That was my biggest hurdle going CNC , learning the software that goes with it , but its been enjoyable .

Right now it's going to be Fusion 360, partly because of the features and partly on price point (hard to beat free). I am proficient in CorelDRAW and have X8, the latest version (started on version 2 years and years ago), and it exports svg well. I realize I'll have to step up to something like VCarve Pro or Cut3D at some point and I like the PhotoVCarve feature set. SketchUp is something I worked in a few years ago and became fairly proficient but I haven't used it in a couple of years.

[daniellyall]

stick with Fusion there are a few guys that use it to make guitars and 2 of them are fusion staff, the cam is way better than vectric

[difalkner]

stick with Fusion there are a few guys that use it to make guitars and 2 of them are fusion staff, the cam is way better than vectric

Thanks, Daniel, that's good to know! I've heard the CAM is pretty good and they're constantly doing updates to the entire package.

[daniellyall]

there are some really neat tricks you can do with the cam to make the guitar neck the long bit whatever it is called, that you can cut it out in two ops including the threats and not use a jig at all, it's something you will need to be shown, it's not documented yet

[difalkner]

there are some really neat tricks you can do with the cam to make the guitar neck the long bit whatever it is called, that you can cut it out in two ops including the threats and not use a jig at all, it's something you will need to be shown, it's not documented yet

I absolutely look forward to seeing that! I know an acoustic neck is a bit more involved than an electric, but the bulk of the machining is the same.

[daniellyall]

let me know when you are ready it's simple and what the F really you can do that, it's using a drawn boundary for the cut what you can have at different angles but still stays to the set work plane so you can cut the angle of the top bit at the same time as the long bit, I need to learn what each part of a guitar is called, you can do the samething with cutting the threats you draw the tool path.
I use drawing toolpath or boundaries quite often, it can make the cutting time a hell of alot faster

[difalkner]

I use drawing toolpath or boundaries quite often, it can make the cutting time a lot faster

I will definitely remember to get with you when I'm ready, then. Thanks!

I assume you play as well as build; here's some of our songs (I'm the guy with the Koa Takamine) - ABC Songs

[daniellyall]

Na I just helped with doing the cam on a guitar the person's problem was the same as one I had on a table the solution was the same thing a drawin boundary keeping the tool cutting where it was need and reducing the cut time and leaving material behind so it was just flip and cut, no making fancy one off jigs. the only music I can play is a stereo

[FineLineAuto]

David,

Definitely looking forward to seeing you make a guitar. I have not used Fusion but heard good things about it.

How's the electronics coming?


Nate
Fine Line Automation
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[difalkner]

David,

Definitely looking forward to seeing you make a guitar. I have not used Fusion but heard good things about it.

How's the electronics coming?

Nate
Fine Line Automation
Home - Fine Line Automation

Waiting on a couple of switches and relays. I know the actual size but don't want to start drilling the back plate until I have those items in hand, just in case what they send doesn't exactly match the dimensions I was given.

[difalkner]

More of the electronic components came in today but I am waiting on a 12V power supply (just ordered today due to a change in plans from the way I originally intended one component), a terminal strip, and a few connectors. I'll likely make a little platform for the 5V and place the 12V PSU under it to save some back plate space. I'll be sure to give it enough space for all to remain cool but there's no reason not to stack these.

The pushbutton switches are both momentary with the green start button being NO and the red mushroom button being NC. The circuit I have designed will close the relays and start the power supplies and fans with the green button but nothing else will run until directed by the controller software. If I install a manual jog then that would work, though. The red button is not an emergency stop though it would have the same effect. It will cause the relays to open and there would be no power at all to the components. These pushbuttons will be at the opposite end of what I would call the 'front' of the machine so even though the red button is accessible I'll have other real e-stop switches located in better places for immediate use.

The relays in the bottom right corner will be for 120VAC and 240VAC. Only one of the contactors will be used on the 120V unless I decide to split the load and use both. The 240V relay will only be used for the VFD/Spindle. Both will open in the event of a power loss and that ensures the system won't restart on its own when power is restored.

I'm also allowing enough room for one more stepper driver for a future A axis installation. I'll go ahead and drill/tap the holes for it but will get the driver later. There will be a second and smaller fan to the right of the VFD and it will blow out. The bottom fan will blow in across the stepper drivers and power supplies.

So this is what it looks like in my initial layout, which is of course subject to change -

[CNCMAN172]

Try to keep those contactor relays as far from the control card as possible. When the relays close they cause small sparks and generate EMI, also the AC lines going to those needs to be clear of all the low voltage wiring as well. Looking Good.

Russ

[difalkner]

Try to keep those contactor relays as far from the control card as possible. When the relays close they cause small sparks and generate EMI, also the AC lines going to those needs to be clear of all the low voltage wiring as well. Looking Good.

Russ

Thanks, Russ! I thought about that and may rearrange them. However, the relay contacts only close when I power up and then they stay closed until I power down so it probably won't be much of an issue. If they were to be opening/closing regularly then I would have gone with solid state relays.

[difalkner]

We've been out of town moving my daughter to New Orleans and I'm still waiting on a couple of things before I start wiring, but I did manage to build the little platform mount for the 5V power supply. I'll get the holes drilled and tapped in the aluminum angle so I can mount the power supply but have to wait before committing to placement on the panel until the other things come in. Also, I'm starting a project with some beautiful Curly Maple and Walnut so I'll be bouncing back and forth between getting this wired up and doing some woodworking.

[difalkner]

I may actually have all the components I need now to wire this up but in the meantime I decided to test my submersible water pump. It seemed fitting to do a little video so that's what I did and you may find it lightly entertaining, at my expense of course...