ViperXZ 30x24 Experience Log

[anthropod]

After getting great feedback from CNCZONE folks on what direction I should go with my first CNC Router, I decided on the Xzero ViperXZ 30x24.

After pestering George with a bunch of noobie questions,

I ended up making an order for:

ViperXZ 30x24
8080 Profile
8" Z Axis
Machined Table Top
Thomson Rail Upgrade
Hitachi Mount
Cable Chain
5 Proximity Switches

I currently have on Hand:
48V 7.3A Power Supply
Gecko G540 Driver
3 380 oz Steppers
Cables/Connectors/etc for said steppers
Computer (Currently runs a little lathe conversion)
Hitachi M12VC
1 home Built Table

What I don't have.

1. Software...ugh This is going to be tough. I have Mach3 for my lathe, but I have no CAM software. I use google sketchup for my CAD, but I may need something different. Any advice will be considered!

2. Bits...This one is very confusing to me. I have had some help from another post on this site, but I am still deciding what my first few bits are going to be.

3. Work Holding stuff/spoiler board. etc.

4. Working stock. Wood, Plastic, etc.

So I begin my experience log with the home built table.


The Wiener dog was a fine assistant.


I didn't have a big saw to cut up the 4'x8' piece of 3/4 inch plywood so I had Lowes cut it. It wasn't quite square, but close enough for the table. Oh well.


I kind of overkilled it with the stainless screws and all the glue. Oh well.


Getting it level on a floor that wasn't level was fun. I took a hand planer to the feet.

[BanduraMaker]

1. Software...ugh This is going to be tough. I have Mach3 for my lathe, but I have no CAM software. I use google sketchup for my CAD, but I may need something different. Any advice will be considered!

First thing you have to establish is budget. There are options to fit every budget. Obviously, the lower the budget, the smaller the feature set is going to be.

Next is what you want to do. e.g. if you're a sign maker, you'll go a different route than if you're making 3D parts.

2. Bits...This one is very confusing to me. I have had some help from another post on this site, but I am still deciding what my first few bits are going to be.

What bits you need are driven by what you're trying to accomplish. Give some examples of what projects you want to do and we might be able to suggest some tools (and CAM software too)

[anthropod]

1. CAM Software: I would love to keep it under $1,000.00


Small Signs might be in the mix. Im not a fan of the paper signs taped on the wall. I have a lot of those here at work and would love to replace the important ones with nice looking ones. Didn't really think about signs until now.

Lithophanes are something that really intrigue me.

Really, I am looking to make RC helicopter parts. Some 2D Cutouts, Some 3d Stuff.

2. On projects, I guess the place to start would be Nylon cutouts & Lithophanes.

This is an example of a type of part i would like to cut out.

[BanduraMaker]

Now we're getting some where. What you've got there is basic 2.5d stuff.

Although I don't have any personal experience with it, Cut 2D from vectric will fit half of the bill: Cut 2D - Overview | 2D Hobby CNC Machining | Contour machining | Text Engraving and it's about $150. This one has a trial that will post code.

I use visualmill 6 which for about $1000, get's you some of everything. It has a pretty comprehensive set of 2.5D machining strategies including V-carving for signs and a set of basic 3D features. VisualMill CAM software package - Computer Aided Manufacturing CAM software for mold, die and tooling, wood working, rapid-prototyping, general machining. If you look around, you can find it for I think $850-ish from a reseller.

A friend uses Bobcam which is also sub $1k and apparently they will keep dropping price until you can't refuse. My friend is pretty satisfied with it but for some reason, some of the files made in bobcam cause my machine to lose steps at speeds that are totally safe with code made in VM6.

To create parts like that pick up three or four 1/8" square end mills. To diversify a bit, pick up a 1/4" square, 1/8" ball and 1/4" ball.

Don't expect to have fun cutting CF with anything.

[theremin]

For the kind of thing you're wanting to do, it's really hard to beat Vectric VCarve Pro. It's 2.5D Cad/Cam in one, and has really good V carving capabilities for making signs and whatnot. The Vectric folks give very good support too. It costs about $600, but you can download a fully functional trial version. Here's a link: VCarve Pro

Dave

[anthropod]

Thanks for the great software suggestions. I looked at all of them briefly, and they all have free demos. I know what I'm going to do this weekend.

[gio666]

I think your going to have to add a shelf under that to hold machine from moving stand

[gio666]

There also artcam express .CAD CAM Software Solutions - Delcam

[anthropod]

Thanks for all the public/private feedback on the CAM software.

I have downloaded all the free trials/demos and I am starting to play.

I will post back my impressions of each from a novice perspective.



PS... Great idea on the table shelf. I think that will decidedly make it more rigid, and give me a place to put my material stock. I'll see if I can get that done today or tomorrow.

[azam1959]

Hi,

I had few specific requirements and I followed the same path few months very recently and decided to go with Autocad Inventor for CAD. Lot of free tutorials and I like the Inventor book by Curtis Waguespack. Autocad Inventor is free for students. I also played with InventorCam (from SolidWorks or MasterCam, I forget) and it integrate pretty well with AutodeskInventor. Of course all of my knowledge is based on simulation on the computer, I have not generated a single g code and run it (don't have my machine yet).

George is very modest, he did not mention that he has distribution right to CAD SW. He may be able to cut you a deal especially when you are buying the router from him.

Please let us know which route you are taking.

Thanks for all the public/private feedback on the CAM software.

I have downloaded all the free trials/demos and I am starting to play.

I will post back my impressions of each from a novice perspective.



PS... Great idea on the table shelf. I think that will decidedly make it more rigid, and give me a place to put my material stock. I'll see if I can get that done today or tomorrow.

[anthropod]

Update: I added the shelf to the table. It is now real solid. I thought it was ridged before. Now I have a good place to put stuff.

The software trials are going well. I find myself wishing I had paid more attention in geometry. Good suggestion on Inventor I will check that out. I am an educator so I can get heavy Autodesk discounts. If I start selling things I would need to get a commercial license.

[azam1959]

Just want to mention that I also spent more than few weeks on Aspire and liked it a lot. If I would have been busy, I would have gone with Aspire solution (sweet and simple). You can do much much much more with Inventor but it will need time investment. Beside features and functionality, I like the fact that I am able to see three dimension models in Inventor/InventorCam and in Aspire it is little difficult to visualize the final product. Difficult to explain to the folks who are using Aspire and have not seen Inventor/InventorCam. Bottom line, put Aspire in your list too and yes there is free trial version and very large following.

For the shelf in your table, you may want to put beam on the smaller span too, it will make table more stable.

Cheers

Update: I added the shelf to the table. It is now real solid. I thought it was ridged before. Now I have a good place to put stuff.

The software trials are going well. I find myself wishing I had paid more attention in geometry. Good suggestion on Inventor I will check that out. I am an educator so I can get heavy Autodesk discounts. If I start selling things I would need to get a commercial license.