The selection and setting up of HW & SW to control a CNC machine would be a great topic for a WIKI I believe. Now all interesting information in burred deep in heaps of threads and is sometimes outdated. We could have a list of all options with pro & contra and details pages on how to set it up, where to find all resources, problem solving and so on

Frederic

 

Anybody here working with Apple in combination with the OX? Would like to know experiences with stepper drivers and software combination that works best on a Mac.

 

Greetings all,
I just ordered the parts for a modified 1500x1000 OX build. Currently unemployed IT guy, so I am going to learn the CNC thing. I am into wood and metal, so this should be fun.
I am building the work surface to include a removable plug to be able to cut the ends of things like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6MnVHmr2UY

Since I have many computer cases laying around, I plan to convert a case to use one of these:
http://www.spark-concepts.com/cnc-xpro-controller

When stuff comes in, I will start a build.

Digger

 

Thanks, i found a tempo fix until robo cutter comes back from vacay at the end of september.. Those will work perfectly!!!

 

Hi Mark. Thanks for sharing a great design, and continuing to pour priceless time and effort into the community. Over the last couple of weeks I have read through the whole thread and will hopefully see a OX based machine in my workshop in the not too distant future.
Keep up the great work!

 

Did anybody looked into the use of a Smoothieboard for the OX or is using it? It seems that the drivers are 2A, which might not be enough for the Nema 23's which are rated for 2.8A? Or do I have it all the wrong way around?

 

There is deff not an issue running the motors @ 2 amps but here is what to look at.
1. You would be under powering your motors so this is a disadvantage and waist of potential benefits.
2. Your drivers would be maxed and run hot shortening the life span.

I would look at the USB cnc board on open builds store and use 3 - 3.5 amp drivers.
This is the route I'm taking but just need to save up for the USB cnc board.

 

Anyone got any extra 8mm precision screw for the Z axis, so I don't have to buy a full length piece? Can Paypal you the money. Could also use 3 of the pulleys for the GT2-3. OB store is out.
I am in Iowa. Thanks for considering.

Digger

 

Hello everyone,
I am new to the CNC world ,I just ordered most of the components to build my own ox router, the only thing I am missing are the motor drivers, I got the cnc controller from the open build part store and I didn't read through the hole thing before ordering, now I need to find out what motor drivers better suit my cnccontroller,
Can anyone help me out? .
Thanks in advanced.

 

The controller can send step and direction signals to any said driver so its really what current and voltage you want to run your mill at that will determine that factor of the build

 

Thanks. I will head back over there. As of yesterday they reported as unavail.

 

Wouldn't it be better anyway, to use separate stepper drivers instead of integrated ones? I.e., it looks as if the boards where the stepper drivers are build onto, have generally less power for the drivers.

 

Yes
This way a burnt driver can be swapped
Integrated boards have their place, there just seems to lack a high current solution that is reliable

It's official for me, I ordered a MK2 board and standalone drivers for each access along with them having their own 24v 5 amp power supply's
It will all be used on a mill I'm constructing for production runs

For my OX AI it's a simple BOB and four standalone drivers that will run Mach3

 

glad you have raised the subject of drivers burning out.. how often do these things burn out? i had one of my pi-bot tb6600 4a drivers get extremely hot after only about 10 hours use in total max run time of about 5 hours.. it still works but the work led no longer lights up? fortunately i have a spare set so just waked another one in and that one seems fine. anyone know what might have caused it? cheers

 

I have had my mill for 3 years and replaced 1 driver board.
My drivers are home made TB6560 boards from a salvaged Chinese 4 axis control board that I bought.
I think really it depends on how hard you push them.
After the one board failed "6 months of use" I dialed back the driver to 3 amps from the max 3.5 and have had no issues since.

 

Nice clean work, as usual Robert. Looking forward to my OX plates. Nice to see craftsmanship at work.

 

I ordered a MK2/4 board and are looking for proper 3A-3.5A motor drivers. Any suggestions for that?

 

Look on eBay for TB6600 single axis
Good to 4.5 amps and a fair price

 

Do you see any advantage in getting the more expensive ones, build in Alu box? The simple ones go for about $10, the boxes go for about $15. Singapore and Hong Kong seem to be the main sellers?

 

I myself went with the non box type since I plan to build the control box as an all in one item.

 

I've been studying the information and videos on the OX CNC build. I am very interested in building one with approximate footprint of 750 mm x 750 mm and using a Dewalt DWP 611 Compact Router. Has anyone else tried this? Will a machine scaled to that size be rigid enough to be accurate? I was wondering if there was a calculation to determine the X-gantry V slot rail length if the X main frame rail was 745 mm long. (I am assuming that I will lose a little length when cutting the rails.) Another question: Can the V slot rails be cut on a table saw with a carbide tip blade? I have a very accurate table saw and I can control the angle of the cut. Another question: what is the diameter of the Nema 23 stepper motor shaft? I was wondering which flexible coupler to order. Also, would it be advisable to get an electronics package with 4 stepper drivers and run two for the Z axis? Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

Nema 23 are 1/4" shaft and a driver for each Y axis motor is a good idea "I'm assuming the Z was a mistake"

 

I''m using an older MacBook (a mid-2010 rebuilt) with GrblController software and the CNC xPro. The Arduino with shield was just not working out for me at this time (everything seemed ok, but steppers weren't stepping).

GrblController is available for Mac, Linux and Windows :

http://zapmaker.grblcontroller.s3-website-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/​

CNC xPro is the product of a recent KickStarter. There is a build here with information.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/484774463/cnc-xpro-driver​

I'm slowly going through a build of my own : myOX. It can be found in the builds ...

 

You are correct. Z was a mistake. Thanks for the information.

 

The CNC xPro's are out of stock already for some while, so I choose for a Mk2/4 board using the TB6600 motor drivers, as Robert more or less suggested. ;-) Waiting now for all to arrive here, dry and in one piece.