Planing to build my first CNC router, maybee a Solsylvia?

[Sperstad]

Hello people.
Since I registered me att CNC Zone for a while ago I`ve been surfing around on this forum reading about CNC routers. And I`ve now decided to build my own CNC router. But as you know, there are several different models to build. JGRO, Solsylvia, Joe`s CNC model etc.

I think the biggest Solsylvia table is interessting, that`s beacuse I don`t want a table that is smaler than that. What do you think? Are there DIY table att the same sice, that are better?

What do you think about this setup?

-Solsylvia table (the biggest one)
-Xylotex 3 axis system kit
-Mach 3 controller

Since I live in Norway in Europe, ordering from Xylotex can be a problem. But since I have an american adresse throu a norwegian company, i don`t think it would be any problem with the ordering.

But the Solsylvia is in US values, an here in Norway we use Metric values. Will this make the building of the Solsylvia much harder?

So to all of you that have build one CNC router or more, give me some advice. It will be very helpfull to me

[kosymailman]

I built the Sosylva 25x37 table. I was a complete newbie (am a little better now) when I started and I must say the instructions were simple and to the T. I did not have any problems. Each part is layed out step by step with many pictures. Don't know how the manual could be any easier and again, I didn't know anything. Takes a little while but if you take it one step at a time, it finally all comes together. Mine is very slow but is precise. Again, it being slow is probably because I don't know enough to get the speed out of it. I think this is a good machine to start with. I have not had it very long and already looking to build a larger and faster machine.

[Sperstad]

kosymailman: Sounds good, a good manual is very importaint! You are planing to build a bigger one, will you use the Sosylva table as a modell or are you planning a completely new design? What stepper motor, drivers, controller and software do you use?

Anyone other here that have the same problem with the Sosylva, that it`s very slow? Do anyone know how to deal with that problem?

[kosymailman]

I am trying to use Joes 2006 model but am stuck on cutting out the parts. Have most of the hardware but theres not a manual to go by like the Sosylva. Have to do more figuring and thats my problem. I am using the Xylotex 269 stepper motor kit. Software I use is Vcarve Pro and Mach3. As far as the speed goes, I can jog around the table around 40-50 in. per minute but when I run a program, the most I can get is 15 in. per minute. Anything over that, I start losing steps, so I don't think it is really the machine, just some settings I have wrong.

[diarmaid]

Hi,
Im in Ireland and am going to build the Solsylva.

Solsylva Manual:
The manual and instructions are excellent. I can't say any more than that. They are clear and step by step, although I am just finishing my electronics and have'nt started on the actual solsylva machine yet. I do think I may have some minor problems with getting parts as per the manual, because in Europe they have different names and dimensions. But differently named parts is a problem we would probably suffer with most designs on the web, as it seems the Americans are much more into DIY routers than us Europeans. So ignoring the headache of sorting parts, at least with the solsylva machine you have good clear instructions and you can contact David Steel if you need help after buying the plans. I bought the plans in the hope that if I didn't use them, they would at least help me understand whats involved better, and they did that easily. They are very good value.

Electronics:
I originally wanted the Xylotex System but as you know they are not RoHS compliant and can't ship to the EU. You mentioned that you can get around this with a business address in the US, but be careful in the unlikely event that customs opens the package and slaps a hefty fine on your business for illegal imports! I ended up getting the HCNC kit, but obviously thats a lot more work, as you have to put it together. However, that has also helped my learning curve about cnc routers.

Software:
I can only really tell you what Im going to use and try to answer any questions then. What software you use is dependant upon your application. In my case I hope to carve signs and gates. (Im building another larger router later )

I have a variety of programs overall Im going to use:

1) Silo 3D to create 3D designs. http://www.nevercenter.com/
2) A program to create 2D designs. (Maybe CorelDraw)
3) Inkscape to convert 2D drawings into 'vectors'. http://www.inkscape.org/
4) A CAM program to generate toolpaths for my 3D designs. (Undecided - But there are many out there....BOBCAD/CAM...Rhino....etc etc)
5) VectorArt3D to buy and use 3D designs. http://www.vectorart3d.com/
6) VCarvePro to create carvings and output G'Code. http://www.vectric.com/WebSite/Vectr.../vcp_index.htm
7) Mach3 to actually drive the machine using the G-Code. http://www.machsupport.com/

Essentially,
You need a design to cut.
It has to be made up of 'vectors', not 'pixels'.
You need to turn it into toolpaths.
You need to save the toolpaths in a format that your driver software can read.
You need software to then read that and drive the machine.

[joecnc2006]

Originally Posted by kosymailman I am trying to use Joes 2006 model but am stuck on cutting out the parts. Have most of the hardware but theres not a manual to go by like the Sosylva. Have to do more figuring and thats my problem. I am using the Xylotex 269 stepper motor kit. Software I use is Vcarve Pro and Mach3. As far as the speed goes, I can jog around the table around 40-50 in. per minute but when I run a program, the most I can get is 15 in. per minute. Anything over that, I start losing steps, so I don't think it is really the machine, just some settings I have wrong.

If you use the e-drawings, you can look at the individual assemblies, and rt mouse on parts/ torsion box skins and make them transparent, then you can see in detail how the parts fit inside.

[kosymailman]

Joe, I appreciate the tip. Now that's what I call - neat. This tip really helps. Like I said, if it's not in black and white I have problems.

thanks again

[Sperstad]

kosymailman: How long time did you use to build the Sosylva 25x37 table?

Hmm, maybee it`s bether for me to buy a HCNC kit instead of the Xylotex System? Then I don`t have to risk anything. But does the HCNC kit have powerfull enough motors for the Sosylva 25x37 table? HCNC have 200oz motors and Xylotex 269oz motors. And where do I buy HCNC kit?

Or maybee there is a bether kit I can use for the Sosylva?

[diarmaid]

To see whats involved in the HCNC kit before you buy see this thread:
MY HobbyCNCPro Package Step by Step
Unlike the Xylotex, its not 'plug and play'.
You could buy it from here: http://www.hobbycnc.com/

Yes the 200oz/in motors are fine. Some people have used smaller on the Solsylva table like the 128oz/in motors. For info on the Solsylva Plans see this thread:
Has Anyone Built From David Steels Sosylva Plans?
Your motor size will affect your final running speeds, also dependant upon other factors such as you TPI on your lead screws.

If you want a 'better' kit you can go to the other end of the scale and buy a gecko drive from http://www.geckodrive.com/. You could put huge 1200oz/in motors on it but why would you need them? Also if you want a better motor setup your going to pay for it. But it also depends upon what material you want to cut.

If you want to route a lot of metal then the wood construction Solsylva probably wont be ridgid enough. Also you will want more torque in your motors if working on metal, and in addition to changing your motors to a higher oz/in you will want lead screws with a smaller (I think!) TPI.

People seem to use Gecko drives on large and heavy, metal built, industrial quality machines. Although Im sure there are some people using the HCNC and Xylotex kits on large machines without any problem. The HCNC kit is limited to 3Amps per motor, so if you want huge motors that take more than 3Amps each it wont run them at their full potential. I don't know about limits on Xylotex or others.

Hope this helps somehow.

[kosymailman]

It probably took me less than a month working a hour here and a couple of hours there. I keep seeing where people wire their motors up wrong and burn them up. The Xylotex kit was very simple. Had a diagram showing where each color wire plugged in on the board. Simple - just like I like it. I think you have to do some soldering on the Hobby kit. Mine has no problems running the router, I just can't get the speed I want and again that's just probably my fault.

[Sperstad]

Thanks for all the answers guys! It looks like I`m going for the Hobby CNC 200oz kit. But the HCNC 3-axis kit doesn`t include transformer. But sinze I live in Norway, I must have a 230v transformer. I`ve been searching the forum for info, but I can`t find any. Do anyone of you know where I can get a 230v transformer for the HCNC 3-axis 200oz. kit?

kosymailman: What kind of tools did you use when you built the Sosylvia table? Any special tools, or just regular tools?

diarmaid: Did you use allot of time putting the HCNC kit together? I`ve builded a engine management before (Megasquirt), so I don`t think the soldering will bee a problem for mee. But are there other things with the HCNC kit that takes allot of time?

[kosymailman]

Nothing special, just table saw, drill press, portable bandsaw(to cut threaded rods & emt). One of the best things I found that helped me was using the brass bars as seen on The Router Workshop. They sure helped me measuring and marking precisely. I happened to have 2 sets of the bars so I could stack them to measure or mark up to 2 inches if needed. Much more accurate than using a metal ruler like I started. The cheapest place I have seen them is Hartville.