CNCDuDeZ Sept Update

[CLaNZeR]

Just a quick update.

We have now finished the Frame and have updated the site with new Pictures.
Also pictures of the protoype controller box are up on site, but this design could well be changing to make it match the look of the frame.
Who says a CNC machine does not have to look pretty!!

Many thanks for all the great feedback on email from the site, it does indeed seem that there is a need for a complete fair priced desktop/hobby cnc solution and our aim is to deliver that and get it out as soon as we can.



http://www.cncdudez.com

Regards

Sean.

[Evodyne]

Sean,

Hey, that's a smart looking machine! Keep up the nice work.

Evodyne

[CLaNZeR]

Thanks for the feedback Evodyne, well appreciatted!.

Just getting the controller box finished now.

Was writing code for the processor board all day yesterday and it is now moving the motors very smoothly as well as not a bad speed, so should be a nice extra feature to go with the finished product.

Regards

Sean.

Originally Posted by Evodyne Sean, Hey, that's a smart looking machine! Keep up the nice work. Evodyne

[Evodyne]

Originally Posted by CLaNZeR Just getting the controller box finished now. Was writing code for the processor board all day yesterday and it is now moving the motors very smoothly as well as not a bad speed, so should be a nice extra feature to go with the finished product.

So your planning on a "ready to go" setup beyond just the mechanics? From what you said it sounds as though you are handling the stepping via a microcontroller. Interesting. Can you elaborate a bit?

Cheers,

Lance

[CLaNZeR]

Hi Lance

We are planning to release a complete system that has as many features as we can jam in while keeping the price down.

The Controller box is being designed from the ground upwards which includes a 5amp power supply with 3 variable outputs all from 0-37 Volts.
We are using one for supplying 30Volts to the Motor board, another to supply 5volts to our Processor Board and Aux outputs, and the third set at 12Volts to run the fans and also out to the Aux Sockets for switching relays etc.

After testing many different Motor Boards we found the Xylo 3Axis which will run 2.5A 35V and has 4 different stepping modes and the most suitable to match our frame and motors.
Also if people want to purchase just a controller box it can be configured for their motors and needs.

With the processor board we have ended up going for the New Microchip 18F4550 USB Pic running at 48mhz.
We can communicate with the Processor via the USB Stack or Serial protocol which is nice and have also included a boot loader so people can upload their own Pic Code via the serial link.
This will also allow us to release firmware upgrades via the website that people can download free of charge annd simply download to the processor using the serial port.
We will release samples of how people can communicate with our firmware routines along with full protocol details on commands etc etc.

The Processor also monitors all the limit switches, E-Stop and Front panel control dials and displays the status update on the Blue LCD.
Was testing yesterday with the motors on our frame and getting 48IPM with no noise or judder coming from the motors at all. I am sure upgrading the motors we could get faster than that, but not a priority at the moment and again trying to keep the price low.

As well as having the USB and Serial port which will send commands to the processor for controlling the motors we have also got the normal Printer port so people can use exisiting Dos and Windows software to control the motors direct as such.

The output ports of the controller are the usual 4 Wire X,Y,Z and Aux1 socket for the inputs and Aux2 for the outputs.

Our main hold up at the moment is protoyping the PCB's as they are all Double sided and we have to wait 2 weeks everytime we order up.
But we think we are on a final draught of the finished PCB's and now just trying out different box configurations to suit the style of the frame.

We will get there eventually, if I do not go bankrupt in between LOL!

Best Regards

Sean.

Originally Posted by Evodyne So your planning on a "ready to go" setup beyond just the mechanics? From what you said it sounds as though you are handling the stepping via a microcontroller. Interesting. Can you elaborate a bit? Cheers, Lance

[Evodyne]

Sean,

I wish you luck. The interesting part is the the complete integration. Seems most everyone else does the machine, but you have got to supply your own power supply, drives, switches, wiring, etc. By the time you add up all of the incidental costs, the "affordable" machines cost has climbed quire a bit. Might be interesting if you resell the PC software from a couple of the top vendors-bundle it in and perhaps have it pre-configured. I'm thinking of the mechanical guys who shy away from electrical and software stuff. You could really put them at ease. Might be a nice selling point. I suppose the real test for you will be pricing. Yeah, you would like to be affordable, but at the same time, if you undervalue it you won't be in the game for long. Like I said, good luck! Keep us all posted.

Lance

[PoppaBear10]

Sean,

very nice work!! Would you mind telling me where you ordered those nice looking DIN Jacks both the male and female for your axis?? I already have a controller, and would like to upgrade to nice looking jacks like that. could you drop me an email to my Army address: gordon.shafer@us.army.mil

Thanks in advance,

Scott

[CLaNZeR]

Thanks for the advice Lance.

I think one advantage about supplying everything together is that we can configure it before it goes out the door and then people will simply plug and play as to speak.
Reading around it seems that alot of people have various problems when trying to mix and match from printer port pin assignments down to the Vref etc etc. Must admit I struggled like mad when I first started looking into the CNC market and found forums like this and the experience very very valuable as a source of information.

I think having the built in processor will eliminate alot of questions regards whether their actual machine is working from day one as we will be supplying test software which will prove this and show them their machine running as it should be.
Then the next hurdle to get say popular windows based software working would be to examine what is interrupting the smooth flow they expect. I do not envy the software houses when they have to explain to people to disable software that puls on resources etc etc to keep the Printer port runnning smoothly under Windows.

I think it is a great idea to offer a bundle with one of the popular software packages and have been thinking down those lines already. And at the very least have downloadable configuration files to suit different software available.

Thank you again for the feeback.

Best Regards

Sean.

Originally Posted by Evodyne Sean, I wish you luck. The interesting part is the the complete integration. Seems most everyone else does the machine, but you have got to supply your own power supply, drives, switches, wiring, etc. By the time you add up all of the incidental costs, the "affordable" machines cost has climbed quire a bit. Might be interesting if you resell the PC software from a couple of the top vendors-bundle it in and perhaps have it pre-configured. I'm thinking of the mechanical guys who shy away from electrical and software stuff. You could really put them at ease. Might be a nice selling point. I suppose the real test for you will be pricing. Yeah, you would like to be affordable, but at the same time, if you undervalue it you won't be in the game for long. Like I said, good luck! Keep us all posted. Lance

[CLaNZeR]

Hi Scott

You are more than welcome to the information.
I have designed a few boxes and was not always happy with either the standard 9pin serial ports that people use or a range of other connectors, so opted to blow the extra cash and get something a bit more beefy and easier to assemble because it can take the thicker wires.

The Connectors are known as XLR connector and one step up form the stereo din connectors.



There are a number of suppliers on the web and a quick search on google will bring up a few.
The ones in the picture above are from Farnell.com and if you type XLR in the search box you will get a vast range of different ones, but like I said the price is a bit heavy.

Must admit I do like the socket version that we have on the controller box with the press down release tab.

Hope this helps

Regards

Sean.

Originally Posted by PoppaBear10 Sean, very nice work!! Would you mind telling me where you ordered those nice looking DIN Jacks both the male and female for your axis?? I already have a controller, and would like to upgrade to nice looking jacks like that. could you drop me an email to my Army address: gordon.shafer@us.army.mil Thanks in advance, Scott

[smarbaga]

popabear10
- one can get them at any electronic supply company,
- half the cost and time is sourceing different parts that are the best for a product.
- i am sure it is costing clanzer thousands of dollars to research, source and try different items for this machine.
this is very kind of clanzer to tell you that they are xlr jacks.
- a few minuits or hours of your time and i am sure you could of found hundreds of references to them on the internet.
- Perhaps this is a reflection of the type of support one will get if one purchaces this smooth looking machine.

[Evodyne]

Smarbaga,

I got the email announcement from the 'zone that the thread had been updated and I came to see the new posts. Wow! Your first post, to me, came off as almost a lecture to Scott to do more research and not to ask stupid questions. Maybe that wasn't your intent, but that's what I read into it.

Then YOU brought up the Muslims (who ARE the Iraqis) and the history of infighting and then promptly said this wasn't a political arena. Hmmm.

Asked for or not, here is my two cents worth:

1. Scott NEVER meantioned anything other than the fact that he was in a challenging situation which limited his Internet use. Nothing political. Nothing about the war.

2. His question to Sean was nothing more than a way to get a quick answer to his question given limited resources. I've seen others do the same thing and I've done it myself. What's the harm? Is it really something deserving of the "hey stupid" response you gave?

3. This site is full of people at all levels of knowledge and skill. The one thing I love about it is the lack of attitude from know-it-alls who belittle those of us who are newbies. You just don't find it here. Usually.

4. I happen to agree with you 100% that the fighting has a long history and will likely continue after we leave. But our going and returning are up to the leaders we elected, not guys like Scott who are there to carry out the orders given to them. I'm sure some of the men and women in Iraq don't agree with why they are there, and that quite a few don't want to be there. But yet they faithfully carry out their duties in support of their country. And in the course of doing so, many have lost their lives. You may not believe in their mission, but show some compassion and understanding for those who, unlike you or me, are putting their lives on the line.

O.K, I've said what was on my mind. Sorry to everyone for ranting. And smarbaga, if I misinterpreted your posts, I appologize. It's just that your posts did, to me, seem somewhat condescending.

[PoppaBear10]

Evodyne..........Thanks, for stating what needed to be said. By the reply he gave it would appear that he still doesnt understand the response I gave him, nor even read it with comprehension.
I have been a member of this site for a while, usally reading, posting if I have questions or answers to things I feel could help.
I have never posted to questions, especially ones posted to another member with some type of response. I am of a mind, if the poster is Asking a question to another specific member then, that member should answer not some snot nosed punk...who just gives smart A$$ responses. Now if the kid didnt mean it the way it came out, then I appologise here an now. But, if he did and posts yet another inane comment. I will reply no longer to him.

Thank you for your support, of at least this troop.

S.