New to the CNC world

[Aquamoose]

a dual core pentium would be all right, as long as there's an LPT1 port, dont buy the usb version, it'll give you headaches in the future, as for the bit on the router, you can even use a sharpened 1/8 concrete nail on cutting plastics, it uses a standard 1/8 collet, you can buy a separate 3/16 & 1/4 collets if you want to use larger bits, yuo can buy any cnc you want as long as it's a parallel port so that it will last to you a very long time

- As long as the CNC has a parallel port to use with, I should be fine?
- Software, where to get? Buy or free software? (I pray that it's simple) any out there that would allow me to program?
- Think I'll try to get a CNC setup that'I'll take a Dremel to bolt in. Peace of mind.
- If that is all, I'll start shopping and run it by you before I buy them all.

Thank you VERY much!

[KH0UJ]

On the software the UCCNC is free but I never tried it yet because I got hooked and used to MACH3, customizatios and all, on setting up I guess we can video call on my free time (sat-sun) to get you started, add me on facebook (jay nayon) with a flag face

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[Aquamoose]

How about this one? Will this do?

3020T 3AIXS 300W CNC ROUTER ENGRAVER ENGRAVING DESKTOP DRILL MILLING MACHINE NEW | eBay

It seems to contain everything (including the software) except the computer...

[Aquamoose]

I also should add, where can I get a 3/16" cutting bit for this machine? I might as well order a few to keep on hand as spares.

[KH0UJ]

How about this one? Will this do?

3020T 3AIXS 300W CNC ROUTER ENGRAVER ENGRAVING DESKTOP DRILL MILLING MACHINE NEW | eBay

It seems to contain everything (including the software) except the computer...

Ya it`ll do actually we had a similar unit like that on your link, but with brushless spindle and bigger stepper motors, we even had the 2015 laying around in the shop, for the colets I think even Ace hardware sells those, I saw it the last time I was in the US, it`s actually similar on the colets of those pneumatic die grinders. include also a game controller, it will help you zero your bit on the material with ease

[Aquamoose]

Well,

I took the plunge and go this machine. Bare MDF (I'll prime & paint myself), homing switches, and the stiffest brackets. I just had to provide my own computer, spindle (DeWalt), spindle bracket, and mill end bits.

MillRight CNC M3 Kit

The reasons I got it is for these reasons...
- It operates fast & smooth
- It's suitable for mostly X & Y routing
- Lots of favorable reviews
- Spindle motor is replaceable & cheap ($50) along with common sized bits.
- The software is provided


I cannot emphasize how much I appreciate your inputs and guidance within the world of CNC. I will be learning as much as I can and experiment with this machine. I must have spent 6 hours last night researching all over on everything. (Including this cool 4 ft x 8 ft homemade router setup for less than $500!)

I'll definitely report back on my progress!


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[Aquamoose]

Good news!!!

I spend the last 2 days carefully assembling the machine and just fired it up. I carefully read the directions and learned how to load sample programs. I just did copy & paste your program in the computer and to my amazement, it went through the motions just as it does! Pretty amazing if you ask me!

Now my small issue, the case doesn't fit fully under the carriage and somehow I need to rotate the entire "program" 90 degrees clockwise so the open end would face away from me. There, I would be able to build a jig to fasten each case to using quick clamps and I'll fabricate a vacuum jig to suction out the shavings and pieces. I've got a DeWalt DW660 being shipped to me and I'll try to use a downcut single flute 1/8" bit for this job.

KHOUJ, you have been a GREAT help! Slowly, I will explore how the codes work and explore a bit! I feel as if I should compensate you somehow, if I can, please let me know! You have been a massive time saver for me.

Looking forward to your reply...

[KH0UJ]

No problem sir as for the code re orientation can you post a picture on the table sir so that I can reposition the code with a homing or anything you want on the spindle after it`s done or if you want to zero on the tip of the material edges to make it easier to zero just let me know

[Aquamoose]

I'm not certain what you mean about "homing" but I do have homing switches on the machine that can orient itself using $H command.

I'm hoping to fashion a jig with a small vacuum attachment that I bolt on the table using T nuts that are installed underneath the workstation. I've attached pics showing orientation that I'd like to try. Other pics shows a ruler for reference.

Note the limited clearance of the Z jig to the table. I'm hoping that I don't need to make it taller.










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[KH0UJ]

Here`s the code for horizontal mount sir, it starts from right to left

Note: on our machines I dont use the homing switches, I just press "ref all home" button on mach 3 to zero all axis on it`s current position, I do think that it`s easier for you to reload materials if the plastic is facing the other way around, simpler to reach the T-slot brackets with wing nuts, on sacrificial wood, a 1/2 plywood I think is good enough to put your wooden stoppers and the upside down bolts for the T-slot brackets then wing nuts for easy load and reload of the plastic boxes but of course it all depends on your preference, bottom line is you can do whatever you want with it

( T3 : 3.0 )G21 G90 G91.1 G64 G40
G0 Z3.0
( T3 : 3.0 )
T3 M6
( Slot 1 )
G17
M3 S12000
G0 X0.0 Y0.0
G0 Z1.0
G1 F1600.0 Z-1.2
G1 X-0.5408 Y-0.16
G1 X-1.0664 Y-0.3656
G1 X-1.5717 Y-0.6144
G1 X-2.0566 Y-0.9014
G1 X-2.5162 Y-1.2289
G1 X-2.9453 Y-1.5945
G1 X-3.3439 Y-1.9931
G1 X-3.7095 Y-2.4222
G1 X-4.0371 Y-2.8818
G1 X-4.3265 Y-3.3668
G1 X-4.5728 Y-3.8746
G1 X-4.7785 Y-4.3976
G1 X-4.8216 Y-4.5449
G1 X-4.9384 Y-4.9384
G1 X-5.0755 Y-5.5859
G1 X-5.1441 Y-6.4187
G1 Y-9.7575
G1 X-53.6827 Y-9.7854
G1 Y-6.5228
G1 X-53.703 Y-6.0581
G1 X-53.7716 Y-5.497
G1 X-53.8884 Y-4.946
G1 X-54.0051 Y-4.5499
G1 X-54.0483 Y-4.4052
G1 X-54.254 Y-3.8796
G1 X-54.5003 Y-3.3744
G1 X-54.7897 Y-2.8894
G1 X-55.1172 Y-2.4299
G1 X-55.4803 Y-2.0008
G1 X-55.8815 Y-1.6021
G1 X-56.3106 Y-1.2365
G1 X-56.7701 Y-0.909
G1 X-57.2551 Y-0.6195
G1 X-57.7604 Y-0.3732
G1 X-58.286 Y-0.1676
G1 X-58.8268 Y-0.0076
( Slot 1 )
S12000
G1 Z-2.401
G1 X-58.286 Y-0.1676
G1 X-57.7604 Y-0.3732
G1 X-57.2551 Y-0.6195
G1 X-56.7701 Y-0.909
G1 X-56.3106 Y-1.2365
G1 X-55.8815 Y-1.6021
G1 X-55.4803 Y-2.0008
G1 X-55.1172 Y-2.4299
G1 X-54.7897 Y-2.8894
G1 X-54.5003 Y-3.3744
G1 X-54.254 Y-3.8796
G1 X-54.0483 Y-4.4052
G1 X-54.0051 Y-4.5499
G1 X-53.8884 Y-4.946
G1 X-53.7716 Y-5.497
G1 X-53.703 Y-6.0581
G1 X-53.6827 Y-6.5228
G1 Y-9.7854
G1 X-5.1441 Y-9.7575
G1 Y-6.4187
G1 X-5.0755 Y-5.5859
G1 X-4.9384 Y-4.9384
G1 X-4.8216 Y-4.5449
G1 X-4.7785 Y-4.3976
G1 X-4.5728 Y-3.8746
G1 X-4.3265 Y-3.3668
G1 X-4.0371 Y-2.8818
G1 X-3.7095 Y-2.4222
G1 X-3.3439 Y-1.9931
G1 X-2.9453 Y-1.5945
G1 X-2.5162 Y-1.2289
G1 X-2.0566 Y-0.9014
G1 X-1.5717 Y-0.6144
G1 X-1.0664 Y-0.3656
G1 X-0.5408 Y-0.16
G1 X0.0 Y0.0
( Slot 2 )
S12000
G0 Z3.0
G0 X-95.5538
G0 Z1.0
G1 Z-1.2
G1 X-96.0235 Y-0.16
G1 X-96.478 Y-0.3656
G1 X-96.9173 Y-0.6144
G1 X-97.3362 Y-0.9014
G1 X-97.7348 Y-1.2289
G1 X-98.1081 Y-1.5945
G1 X-98.4534 Y-1.9931
G1 X-98.7682 Y-2.4222
G1 X-99.0526 Y-2.8818
G1 X-99.304 Y-3.3668
G1 X-99.5172 Y-3.8746
G1 X-99.695 Y-4.3976
G1 X-99.7331 Y-4.5449
G1 X-99.8346 Y-4.9384
G1 X-99.954 Y-5.5859
G1 X-100.0124 Y-6.4187
G1 Y-9.7575
G1 X-142.0815 Y-9.7854
G1 Y-6.5228
G1 X-142.0968 Y-6.0581
G1 X-142.1577 Y-5.497
G1 X-142.2593 Y-4.946
G1 X-142.3608 Y-4.5499
G1 X-142.3989 Y-4.4052
G1 X-142.5766 Y-3.8796
G1 X-142.7899 Y-3.3744
G1 X-143.0413 Y-2.8894
G1 X-143.3231 Y-2.4299
G1 X-143.6405 Y-2.0008
G1 X-143.9858 Y-1.6021
G1 X-144.359 Y-1.2365
G1 X-144.7577 Y-0.909
G1 X-145.1766 Y-0.6195
G1 X-145.6159 Y-0.3732
G1 X-146.0703 Y-0.1676
G1 X-146.5401 Y-0.0076
( Slot 2 )
S12000
G1 Z-2.401
G1 X-146.0703 Y-0.1676
G1 X-145.6159 Y-0.3732
G1 X-145.1766 Y-0.6195
G1 X-144.7577 Y-0.909
G1 X-144.359 Y-1.2365
G1 X-143.9858 Y-1.6021
G1 X-143.6405 Y-2.0008
G1 X-143.3231 Y-2.4299
G1 X-143.0413 Y-2.8894
G1 X-142.7899 Y-3.3744
G1 X-142.5766 Y-3.8796
G1 X-142.3989 Y-4.4052
G1 X-142.3608 Y-4.5499
G1 X-142.2593 Y-4.946
G1 X-142.1577 Y-5.497
G1 X-142.0968 Y-6.0581
G1 X-142.0815 Y-6.5228
G1 Y-9.7854
G1 X-100.0124 Y-9.7575
G1 Y-6.4187
G1 X-99.954 Y-5.5859
G1 X-99.8346 Y-4.9384
G1 X-99.7331 Y-4.5449
G1 X-99.695 Y-4.3976
G1 X-99.5172 Y-3.8746
G1 X-99.304 Y-3.3668
G1 X-99.0526 Y-2.8818
G1 X-98.7682 Y-2.4222
G1 X-98.4534 Y-1.9931
G1 X-98.1081 Y-1.5945
G1 X-97.7348 Y-1.2289
G1 X-97.3362 Y-0.9014
G1 X-96.9173 Y-0.6144
G1 X-96.478 Y-0.3656
G1 X-96.0235 Y-0.16
G1 X-95.5538 Y0.0
G0 Z3.0
G0 X0 Y0
G0 Z0
M5
M30

Nice belt driven CNC machine you got there sir our two units CNC laser machines used belts too, and it`s already 12 years old and never change the belts on it yet. I do think it`s a clever way to avoid ball screw jamming due to small dust particles entering on it causing to lose steps, for light routing passes on non metal materials I think it`s a good and better idea to use belts instead of a ball screw

[Aquamoose]

Thanks!

I'll try it out. I did get to play with the fusion 360 software to get an idea so I'm definitely am learning as you read this.

The reason for the position is so that the machine can come straight to the piece without needing for the millend tool to "jump" over it or worry about the height of the Z carriage. I have an idea in mind that would allow quick changes of the workpieces without using any tools. Slap on, clamp, cut, take out, repeat.

I get the idea about zeroing in at a known point now. If I have a fixed jig, would it make sense to fashion a reference point on it for me to bring the cutter to it? Or should I do it on the work piece and use the corner as a reference to start from?


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[KH0UJ]

Either way sir, you can zero anywhere you want, so on park mode the spindle will start on that point and after the cutting process it will come back home to it`s beginning location point then start again in loop fusion 360 is an autoCAM program, it`s a good way to start learning on CAM processes, but im making my CAM work the custom way to evade software cost plus I cannot dictate the spindle itself on where to start first, the software is the one auto generating the route path, meaning I cannot make the spindle to make another route if I had a custom clamp on the way, custom CAM work also saves a lot of materials because I can cut directly at the 3D object itself, eliminating excess lines if it`s in an autoCAM process thus save a lot of time specially on a looping process in mass production

[Aquamoose]

That makes sense. I suppose I could hire you out to hash out the fine details in the programming, I hope?

Am I correct, would it save you time if I'll get the jig built and send you the data on the contact points of the workpiece positions (corners?). The program displays data on the positions of all axis and I could relay all of it to you.

Since it will be used for my work, I can't let you do it for nothing. Hope you'll accept my offer?



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[KH0UJ]

Sure sir that`ll be great I can do it for you instead of playing league of legends on my PC on my free time hahaha sometimes poking around the threads here on CNC zone if I get bored...

[Aquamoose]

Excellent! I'll get started on my end. Hopefully in a week, I'll have all the data neatly presented for you to work with. Can you connect with me via email? I'm reachable at seanbarr@gmail.com.


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[KH0UJ]

you can also add me in facebook sir >>> https://www.facebook.com/jay.nayon