"Plug and Play" CNC controller.

[mike@mikebeck.o]

Hello,
This is my first post on CNC Zone. A VERY exciting site! I'm amazed at how large and in-depth it is!
I was wondering if there would be any interest in a fully funtional, ready to, "Plug and Play", CNC controller. 3 or 4 axis, 305 In. Oz. motors, 34-39 volt, 10-12 amp. power supply, VERY nicely built, for $499, for use with a PC. It can be seen at www.mikebeck.org
I can already see myself staying up WAY too late on "work nights" now!

[sansbury]

I think it's a very fair deal for a complete system but my gut tells me that you're in a weird in-between price point. A lot of people are going to look at the price of individual parts like the HobbyCNC board for $79 and not realize how much they'll spend on cases, PSU, etc. When they see $500 they'll think "well for that price I could buy Gecko drives!" The wise ones who know it's a fair deal will have learned that by building it and finding that the case, plugs, cords, switches etc. cost more than the controller board itself, which means they may not need to buy another.

[Replogle]

How about mill and lathe applications?
Randy

[MonoNeuron]

Motors AND a controller, It's a sweet deal at that price. Buy it.
Just read the post properly. Derrr. Sell it !
It's a sweet price

[mike@mikebeck.o]

Gecko's that microstep down to 1/16 are like $150 EACH, and then there's the power supply, breakout board, MOTORS, cables, switches, fuses, enclosure...........BUT, I do like Gecko's. Have 4 of them on my Bridgeport!
Oh, and of course if you need more than 3 amps per phase.....................lizards live!

[mike@mikebeck.o]

Perfect for either, or both. It's all about how much force is required to force the cutter into the work. About the only machine where that doesn't apply, are like plasma and oxy / fuel cutters. 305 Oz. should handle a medium size lathe, and a small/medium mill/drill, or mill only just fine. Plenty of torque for a larger machine, as far as actual cutting is concerned, which is done at slow speeds. (Gear/belt reduction). If you need lightening fas rapids, that would be slower, of course.

[mike@mikebeck.o]

I've been building the boards and controllers for folks that have approached me, just on a one-off basis, for years, but just now have decided to put out some feelers, as a prelude to investing in some adverts. I have the shop space to set up for production, if it becomes necessary. That would be GREAT, by the way!

[fireballcnc]

That's a GREAT deal!
Lets see...I save about a week of some very touchy soldering,
assembling, testing, tuning, hoping I get it right or else, blow the chips.
Save shipping and waiting on transformers & cases, switches,
wires, etc, etc. You put it all together and I concentrate on making my
machine work....knowing my controller has been thoroughly
tuned & tested.

Cannot go wrong!

That's actually a Great service, Mike
John

[mike@mikebeck.o]

Thanks, John.
Service is what it's all about, anymore. I gave up on being rich a long time ago. The more people that get machines up and running, the faster the hobby evolves. Shoot, I'm too old now to spend the money on the kinds of "sin" I'd want to anyways, without it killing me!
Hmm, ya reckon, a Hass TM-1 is a sin? ((-:: Well, maybe with the optional memory!

[bp092]

Looks interesting. I'm not any electronics techy but I try. One thing I failed at was fully hooking up my controller (limits, estop, multifunction cards) and all that. I would pay a little more for a package like that to have it done for me; for sure. Anyhow, do you have any plans to advance that controller a bit more? adding more cards to allow for more features such as a safety charge pump, ac relay? estops? Might be a bit better for you as the basic setup itself isn't hard for the average joe to put together with a little homework done right. Welcome to cnczone!

[mike@mikebeck.o]

Thanks for the welcome!
Yes. I concur. A charge pump would definitely be a worthwhile addition.
I've tried to make the home/limit thing a no brainer, especially now that I include the home and limit switch kit with the controllers. That's always seemed to be a stumbling block for allot of folks.
It's somewhat of a time/money thing for allot of folks. By the time you invest the time locating, ordering, pay for shipping on trans, big cap, enclosure, scrounge all the MANY bits and pieces, machine the case, and yada yada. Soldering up the board's not hard. Fun, for allot of folk, but there is always the risk. Apply power and nada, zip, zilch, oops. A c-note down.
I think an e-stop is for sure in the near furure. One with, say, a 6 Ft. cord, or so. BIG red button. Perhaps externally adjustable Vref, idle current time/level, that type of thing.
Good to be here!

[bp092]

Glad you are open to suggestions. A more custom look for the controller might be nice as well instead of a diy sort of look. I actually have the same case on my controller. Best of luck with the site.