Xylotex 4 axis drive Box

[Cire]

Hi there, I am planning on converting my x3 to my first CNC machine. I have read a lot about the different control systems and setups people have and because my lack of electrical knowlege and money I decided to pick the Xylotex box.

My question:

Is the Xylotex 4 axis drive box truely Plug and Play? Is it really that simple to get the motors running (assuming I have code already writen to run it).

Also I am wondering if Mastercam can communicate directly with the xylotex box to make the part, Or will I need another program to do that?

- Eric

[.xXACEXx.]

cire
i see you have had no reply..so ill TRY to help,i hope someone else will help here also as i am in NO WAY an expert...i dont have a xylotex cnc controler yet been wanting one for about 9 month now, been pretty busy so aint had time or extra money yet..i have played with mach 3 some ..and use mastercam at work..
on to the answer ...as i understand it mach 3 for example will create pulses that a cnc controler will use to drive the motors to move your machine ..mastercam can generate g-code that can be input to mach 3 to run the machine ,but mastercam cant run the machine by its self you will need a controlersuch as the xylotex controler you mentioned .i hope this helps some .again im no expert

[cyclestart]

Agreed with you until this point

cire
you will need a controlersuch as the xylotex controler you mentioned

What's needed is software to interpret gcode and send useful signals to the xylotex magic electronics box. Examples of this type of software would include mach3, turbocnc(sp?) and emc.

Camware like Mastercam is not an absolute necessity for most non-3d work. The first CNC shop I worked in had no Camware whatsoever. Mind you I regretted sleeping through some of those highschool math classes. Who said there's no application for trigonometry in later life?

FWIW I'm an electronics idiot and managed to get the xylotex kit operating with little trouble. Currently the motors are only spinning on the bench. Still working on the mount to the mill part.

Edit/ Sorry, on rereading it appears I just repeated the info you already provided as you had mentioned control software. Hope between the 2 posts the idea comes through somewhat.

[Cire]

Thanks guys, I guess this means I can start emptying my wallet once I figure out what I need to order for the mechanical part of the conversion

[cyclestart]

Thanks guys, I guess this means I can start emptying my wallet once I figure out what I need to order for the mechanical part of the conversion

Just noticed you want to do an X3.

Before buying check to see if it's suitable for the X3 . The xylotex is a low power system designed for machines like taig and X2 mini mills. At least one member is happily running an X3 but that would be about the practical limit probably. Look for posts by S_J_H to see what he's done for the Z axis. Maybe he can tell you what type of force is possible for operations like drilling. Note he doesn't use a ballscrew on the z.

Looking at the syil X3 conversion the z axis uses a much larger motor than x and y. I believe it also has higher voltage. The xylotex ready kit has a 24v power supply.

The conversion by S_J_H can be found here
My X3 conversion.It's alive!

edit->The more I think about this the more complex it becomes
Probably the best thing is decide on the details of the conversion and then select motors and drivers to suit. Hope a more experienced member butts in here before I have you wasting your money.

[Kelinginc]

We have some package for X3, pls check here for your refrence

http://www.kelinginc.net/CNCPackage.html