I'm not sure I understand.
I have my Ox running under GRBL and once I hit a homing switch during normal operation, it shuts the motors down.
It figures I exceeded the size of my bed, so it shuts down and gives me a chance to fix the problem.
I then have to move the axis away from the switch and reset the software.
Is that what yours is doing?
What system are you using to control the Ox?

 

Hi Steve, sorry i thought i had mention it, im running mach3. Im not sure if im doing something wrong with my settings ( i tried different combinations with no luck) or is something like bad switch or noise. I figured out how to home the y axis but after hitting the switch, there is no back off so the switch remains pressed. have already tried to overide the limits but it doesnt work for me. Also i cant understand how to set offsets, soft limits etc , what should i to put there? I have only two switches and what i want is to home the y and x axis. Thank you

 

You may have mentioned it, but if you did, it was a ways back.
I plan on implementing Mach 3 this summer, but as of now, I haven't used it.
GRBL has a back off amount variable in it. I would assume that Mach 3 has something similar, but since I haven't used it, I don't know where it is.

Sorry I can't help. Maybe someone familiar with Mach 3 will come along shortly.

 

Why have you added caps in parrallel to your inputs? These will add delay to your switches but shorted over switch have no effect other than that what so ever.

If it's because of noise issues, pull up resistors do help filter noise spikes but again can add delay.

You should simply be running your switches nc with no res or caps. You simply need to iron out your noise issues with correct equipotential grounding.

 

It may just be a configuration. It looks like Mach3 doesn't make the difference between the home sequence and a limit/emergency situation. I can take a look tonight at my configurations for you. Can you send pictures of yours for me to compare?

 

Which is the best corner for homing to? Is it easy enough to configure it whether it's left or right side? Or put another way, when I create tool paths in F360, is it expecting >0 to be moving to the left or to the right? I certainly don't want to make my stuff mirrored.

 

In a normal X-Y coordinate system, zero is the bottom left corner.
That means both X and Y are positive in the upper right quadrant.
In all of the CAD software I use, Positive X and positive Y go out from the bottom left corner.
For those reasons, I made the lower left corner my zero point.

 

Hi,
i run mach 3 as well.
Mach3 uses the emergency or limit switch as homing in parallel. when homing it simply ignores the "emergency/limit situation"
Mine does reference and after it moves the axis free.
Did not even have to configure anything special..
Only thing i could think of is to check if referencing each axis single after eachother is enabled. (general config)
Does it work if you ref only one axisby it self (in the diagnostic screen)?

greets

flo

 

If I were to build an OX with the gantry spanning the long axis what sort of pitfalls am I facing ? I'm looking to build a purpose built machine with a cut capacity of 54"x22"x3"

 

I'm not looking to cut aluminum however I am looking to be able to use a 2.2kw spindle on it. My thoughts are to use R&P for the long axis and either belt or acme rod for the short.

 

That's what I was afraid of. Thanks

 

Last week my Bosch Colt nearly started on fire when the top bearing froze up. As a result I decided to replace it with a Dewalt 611. I have a 1500 x 1000 mm OX that I use for my business. This started off a chain of events that is going to cost me a little bit of money.
1. First I needed to have Chris L build me a new set of mount plates to fit the 611. This led me to thinking that I also needed to improve my accuracy around the X and Z axis.
2. Next I added to my order with Chris a new front gantry plate so that I could go from 6 wheels to 8 wheels.
3. When I went to OpenBuilds to get the new 8mm Screw and addtional 2 wheels I though of other ways to make the router more rigid.
4. This led me to ordering another 20 x 60 x 1000 rail to add to my already current 2 rail X axis. Then I added 4 more wheels so that I could have 12 wheels rolling on my X axis.
5. Then I decided to go to Double belts since I already has some belt material and I would be tearing the machine down for the rebuild anyway. So another $30 in belts was ordered.
I will post some pictures on here after I get it all in and start the upgrade. I am hoping this will really reduce the flex.

 

Hey guys, I have decided to treat my Ox to a new bed using the extrusion from misumi.

I have not received it yet, but obviously I want to do everything in my power to avoid cutting into it.

I am thinking that I will use small pieces of something as a spoil board for each project I do.

What would you guys recommend to use as a spoil board that has a little more resiliency than the MDF that I was using.

(Example of extrusion on a shapeoko)

 

Regarding my rebuild due to the Bosch Colt burn out, I received my new motor mount plates and front gantry plate from Chris. Once again I have to say what an incredible job he does on the parts he makes. It is a piece of art. You don't have to worry about anything being off because it just never is.

Great job Chris.

 

Is it possible to build an ox that has a 4'x4' work area? Or is there a better cnc to build to meet that build area?

 

Someone please help! I've been going crazy trying to figure out what to adjust to make my OX work right (using a TinyG). Basically, X by itself works perfectly and Y by itself works perfectly. They don't like to work together. Anything other than a straight line on one axis does strange things. It's the same thing over and over.

Below is a picture of a circle, box, and my name. The box is exactly 2.5" like I wanted it. The circle is having some problems. Vertical and diagonally (left to right) is 2" as planned. Horizontally and diagonally (right to left) is 1.9". You can also see the weird straightish lines it creates on the sides. On my name, you can see that "M" and "e" seem to have problems. Again, it's the same problem no matter what font I use.

I have tried tightening wheels, loosening wheels, tightening the belts, loosening the belts....I can't get any combination to work! This is the best I can make it look. I've used both VCarve and CamBam to write the gcode and I'm having the same issues. Anyone have any suggestions on what I should try next?

 

Quite certain you will find that your set screws on your pulleys are loose enough to let the pulley slip back and forth on the shaft...from teh looks of the circle, the first one to check is the X axis...

 

I will try that again. I actually did make sure they were tight. It was one of the things I checked. I'll pull them off and check to see if there is something keeping them from gripping the shaft well. I'll let you know tomorrow if there is any difference. I'll focus on the X axis first. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Put marks on the shafts and pulleys with a sharpie or similar.
That will let you know if anything is moving.

 

You can also replace the set screw with a real screw you can give it a little more torque

 

I know I had issues with mine, I had to loctite them for them to not loosen up.

 

Hey Everyone, FYI, Lowes is having a sale on the Dewalt 611 for $99.00 down from $139.00

 

I have a dewalt 611 and I love it, great spindle for the price.

 

The best way to be sure is remove the set screws and drill out and tap an m4 in them. M3 are just not up to it imo

 

Hello,
I am interesting of building a CNC router, an the OX caught my interest.
Would it possible to router alu and stainless with this machine?
Thinking of putting nema 34 engines and 2.2Kw water cooled spider.

Have that been done? Will the construction be steady for this setup?

Have anyone build a hybrid? Laser/3D printer and CNC in one machine?

Please share your views!

Thanks in advance!

Carl

 

Hi, what an amazing build! I've undertaken many builds in the past, but nothing as extreme as a CNC. I am glad I found your page. I have found we sell V-Slot extrusion rails here (Australia) Local, so i'm going to take the plunge, and start a build. Should be a lot of fun. I understand most of the build, Just wondering, If I was to expand the build, to fit a full 1.2 x 2.4 sheet, I assume the electronics would allow for adjustments in work size? I assume yes, but the electronics, and control side of things may be my weakest point.

Thanks for any support!
Kirt