Sinkoumn's JoesCNC2006 Build Log

[Sinkoumn]

Wheh, I just got my Hobby CNC board setup and tested for the +5VDC - Success! Read +5.05VDC and I'm still alive. I hate firing up any electronic part for the first time, definitely get a little pucker factor working when you go to throw the switch

Sorry for not updating - but as of right now I have the case fully built, machine fully dry fitted and ROLLING!, custom table built (2x4 style :rainfro, and the Hobby CNC almost finished. I have pictures of everything, I'll post them in the morning/afterrnoon tomorrow. I'm too tired, need sleep

[Sinkoumn]

This morning I got my Hobby CNC board all soldered up and ready to roll - however, from what everyone has experienced with the JoesCNC, would I be better off going with 1/2 or 1/4 step setting on my board (I'm using the 305oz 3A steppers, with mach 3, and the standard 1/2-10 screw)? Any suggestions??

Here are some pics to update the build log:
Pic 1: Dry fitted and sliding oh so nice!
Pic 2: Lumber for the support table I built.
Pic 3: That support table won't win any beauty contests, but is square and rock solid (I put locking castor wheel on one end to make moving the machine around the shop a lot easier for cleaning and whatnot).
Pic 4: Here's the Plexiglass case I made for the electronics - 5/8" Lexan, strong enough to take a NHL slapshot (that part still to be tested)
Pic 5: I also added a hindged/locking top to the case for additions/repairs/etc. I made the case 13.25"x13.25"x5" ID to allow for future additions (C11 BOB from CNC4PC, etc).
Pic 6: Finished soldering up the HCNCP board.

[Sinkoumn]

Got the motors spinning!!

After hooking everything up, double/triple check, then getting nothing to spin I finally got them humming because I didn't put the number one into the port setting

[Sinkoumn]

Oh so CLOSE! Skip past the boring painting and minor tweaks to get everything aligned, here is where I am at - have the X and Y motor's wired (but the 14ft of 6strand, 22awg wire that Hobby cnc gave isn't enough I am going to order the 24ft roll from them and finish wiring up the z motor and add quick disconnects to each axis motor (just in case I move...)).

Outside of the painting and general motor wiring I am currently setting up the limit switches and running the cable - I wanted to get some echain for my machine, but after looking around at different setups on the site I decided to just go with the basic articulating/rolling tube setup.

Once everything is wired I need to tune the motors, I've done some jogging with Mach3 and the Y and Z move well, but at full speed the X tends to bind (the 10TPI rod bounces quite a bit, is that too loose/not tight enough?). Any suggestions for settings in Mach3 with the HCNC Pro board and 305oz motors? I have the board set at 1/4 step at the moment, but might change it, then used the 200x10x4 equation (so 8000) as the velocity - does that seem too fast?

Basically everything is going AWESOME! But if anyone has some tips/good starting points for the motors I am open to all suggestions for velocity/acceleration/steps/etc that you have to offer - not set points, bust just a good starting point to help me get the most out of the standard ACME 10TPI screws until I can upgrade to the 5starts.

[joecnc2006]

8000 steps per is correct, i would start vel. of 60 and accel, of 5

joe

[Sinkoumn]

I've been messing with the motors and getting them all tuned up the past few days. The Y and Z are running very smooth at about 110ipm, so thumbs up on that . But the X-axis has some whip to it and runs fairly smooth at 75ipm. While it will work for now, I'm going to be adjusting it to get it setup - I measured the rod to table, and there appears to be ~1/8"-1/16" offset from end to end, so I'm guessing that is where I'm getting the wiggle.

For right now I think that I will just upgrade the X-axis rod to the 1/2"-10 5 Start acme rod, but I just wanted to double check that this is the correct one in terms of finish, handedness, etc.

Part # 99030A704
www.mcmaster.com

Thanks much in advance!

[Sinkoumn]

It's ALIVE, BUWAHA!

Well sort of, I made some chips today but I am still waiting on my bits to come from McMaster - so I just drilled some holes with a 1/4" bit. All the holes came out perfectly spaced and straight so I'm definitely happy :rainfro:

I am also waiting on the 1/2"-10 5 Start rod from Mcmaster and the DumpsterCNC antibacklash nut; however, this might be a stupid question, but where can I find a locking nut like the one shown below (borrowed from Garcwell's thread).


Could someone please let me know the correct term for that locking nut, or where I could find one for the machine??

Thanks again all for the help, and a big thank you to Joe! You're the man!

[joecnc2006]

He made those from the standard acme nuts, drill and tap them.

you can also buy the clamps from dumpster especially if you are getting the 5 start screws.

joe

[ger21]

You won't find any nuts for multiple start screws. Go with Joe's advice and get the dumpster clamps.

[Sinkoumn]

Right on! Thanks much for the info, the thread clamps have been ordered (just wish I would've put them through when I bought my anti-backlash setup the other day...oh well)

[Sinkoumn]

Bits and 5 start rod came in the mail today - used the bits and made the FIRST cut. Stoked on the results :rainfro::rainfro:

For the cuts I ran it pretty slow, used a 60* v-bit to just barely etch the surface, and cut into some pretty dense scrap plywood - machine ran smooth as silk (a little whipping on the x when jogging, but that is be taken care of when the antibacklash nuts get here). Not bad for the first cut though, and I am definitely excited to start fully utilizing the capabilities of the machine

[joecnc2006]

looking good

[Sinkoumn]

Quick question, since I am upgrading the X axis to the 1/2"-10 5 Start do I have to change my 'Steps Per' setting to 1600? (200 X 2 turns per inch x 4)?

Can someone just check my math/logic on that one - I've never worked with multi start screws before.

Thanks much!

[Sinkoumn]

A whole heap of cutting/messing around went on again today. Got the 5 start installed on the X axis (and now regret it, because after seeing how much of an upgrade that gave to the machine in terms of performance I have now seen the light and MUST upgrade the Y and Z axis as well (just need to save up the moola for the other rod/backlash nuts/thread clamps ).

Here's a few pics of the 'Bullshead' cutout from the Vcarve demo, came out better than I had hope for a true first cut (I had to edit the toolpath to fit my 60* vbit).

More pics to come once I get everything fully dialed in!

[yuliany]

A whole heap of cutting/messing around went on again today. Got the 5 start installed on the X axis (and now regret it, because after seeing how much of an upgrade that gave to the machine in terms of performance I have now seen the light and MUST upgrade the Y and Z axis as well (just need to save up the moola for the other rod/backlash nuts/thread clamps ).

Here's a few pics of the 'Bullshead' cutout from the Vcarve demo, came out better than I had hope for a true first cut (I had to edit the toolpath to fit my 60* vbit).

More pics to come once I get everything fully dialed in!

Very impresive