Finished the Boo Tech CNC. I had all kinds of issues with the arduino/shield/wiring. X and Z would work but only 1/2 of Y, etc. Stumbled across the Black Box and problems were solved. This has been a year long project to complete. I’ve done a test run and carved a few letters so far. I had to set up a Techno CNC for my job and that got me interested in building one. I still have limit switches to install but overall, it came out well.
Update: due to an incorrect assumption during the build, I messed up the z axis ball screw. I was able to get it back together and all appeared to be fine. I started cutting my first project and noticed the z axis wasn't staying consistent. It eventually wouldn't even touch the wood to cut. Determined the cause to be a jammed ball screw on the z axis. It would go up but not always down. I have a new one ordered and after that, I should be back in business.
Update number 2: Discovered the bed wasn't quite level so I fixed that problem and added two aluminum angle braces on the sides of the router platform to stiffen the router mount. With that accomplished, I've been working on game pieces for a friend. It's been a good learning process for both the CNC and the computer side of things. Needless to say, I haven't been accomplishing much else in the workshop...
Update #3 on the Bootech Build: This morning I had a catastrophic failure, resulting in a damaged bit, broken coupler between ball screw and motor, bent screws on gantry which required replacing the block on the ball screw. I was carving out a piece of cherry, checking in periodically to see how it was going and to vacuum up the dust. Came back to find a disaster. After taking everything apart and replacing the broken parts (I had replacements on hand due to some wrong orders on my part - paid off though), I determined the problem was that the linear rail carriages had seized. I had use a wood dowel and a hammer to drive them off. Turns out they were jammed with dust from the cherry wood. Ordered some replacements and spent the day doing other things. Fast forward to tonight - reassessed everything and decided to thoroughly clean all the rails and carriages. Everything works properly again. $40 spent that I didn't need to spend but, I will have spare parts again. One nice thing about a home built machine is that everything is replaceable and I know how it goes together. Lessons learned: 1. I need to quit thinking about making or buying a dust shoe and actually do it. I think I will have to make one as the OpenBuilds one doesn't look like it will fit my Ridgid trim router. A spindle would resolve that problem. (see#5) 2. I need to regularly wipe down the linear rails with some lubricant. The machine lives in my basement workshop, so some surface corrosion may have been a contributing factor. 3. Until I get the dust collection under control, I need to be at the machine with a vacuum. 4. I need to finally figure out how to add limit switches. The wires and switches are in place from the BooTech plans but I need to figure out how to add them to the Black Box. That would have prevented most, if not all, of the damage by shutting down the machine. 5. Need to upgrade to a spindle that I can start and stop with the G-code/Control program. Possibly would have saved my bit. Right now, the router is either on or off with the router switch. The job may finish but the router doesn't stop until I stop it. Hope this helps someone avoid the same issues.
1. Yes, a dust shoe is a good idea. If you have a 3D printer look on Thingiverse for options. 2. Yes, but be aware that the lubricant will act as a magnet to the dust generated by the machine and can be causing seizing of the carriages. 3. I used to do that too but now I have a dust shoe! 4. ABSOLUTLY! I never started my machine until I had my limit switches installed. I don't know, though, if it would have helped you in this case. Unless a switch is triggered the electronics doesn't know that there is a problem. 5. All you need is a relay that is activated by your controller. It will do the same thing as it will do to the spindle.
Thanks for the input. No 3d printer (yet). I think I have everything I need to make a shoe now. I considered the magnet effect with dust but decided the alternative of jamming up due to surface corrosion was worth the risk. I’m going to place a rubber strip that is used on door bottoms to act as a cover of sorts on the tracks. That should help some. I suspect the limit switches would have helped because one of the y axis sides was at the limit. Interesting thought about the relay. I would like to adjust the speed as well, so back to the spindle idea. My router only goes 20,000-30,000.
Just follow these directions and the limit switch install will be easy. If they are the OpenBuilds extension switches: docs:blackbox:connect-xtension-limit [OpenBuilds Documentation] If they are regular microswitches: docs:blackbox:connect-micro-limit [OpenBuilds Documentation]
Thanks for the information. I have regular micro switches. The diagram shows only three limit switches. I’m guessing the two switches for each axis are wired such that either switch being activated triggers the input for the blackbox, thus only showing the three switches on the wiring diagram? Or is there a way to wire all six limit switches individually?
Yes. You are right if I understand you correctly. Six switches would require the two for each axis to be wired in parallel if they are normally open switches. So both Zs are wired the same to the Z input plug. Same with the rest. gnea/grbl
Limit switches successfully installed and tested. Homing works as well. I should be able to avoid a disaster in the future. I'm going to look into the relay suggestion for the router on/off control. Next project (as soon as I have time again) is to make a dust shoe. Thanks for all the help and input. This has been quite the learning curve but a lot of fun. Just ordered the switching relay from OpenBuilds. Once that arrives, the dust shoe is my final step and I am back to making things.
Received the I/OT Relay today. Installed and ran a couple of sample jobs. On and off with the job. Thanks for the recommendations. Looks like I will probably be getting another one to run the shopvac. Until then, I will just keep it doing it manually. Nice to have everything up and running again.
Final steps of things I should have done originally. Finished making and installing a dust shoe. Magnets between the two halves hold them together and enable removal of he lower half for bit changes. The gray PVC is all I could find locally but will change it out with clear when I find it. Gave it a try and it appears to work well. I still have a little fine tuning to do, but overall, it was a success. If anyone is interested in the files, let me know.
