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My First CNC Machine

Discussion in 'CNC Mills/Routers' started by andy-may, May 24, 2016.

My First CNC Machine

My First CNC Machine

Discussion in 'CNC Mills/Routers' started by andy-may, May 24, 2016.

This will be a step by step record charting my successes and failures in my voyage of discovery while building a CNC router. Please excuse my English-English which may lose something in translation to American-English. I would be grateful for any advice during the build

Electronics
  1. andy-may

    andy-may New
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    andy-may published a new build:

    Read more about this build...
     
    #1 andy-may, May 24, 2016
    Tom Allen and Moag like this.
  2. Moag

    Moag Veteran
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    G'Day Andy and welcome sounds like you have the right attitude mate. "If you can imagine it, you can create it". I think you might like it here and are looking forward to what you come up with.:)
    May the imagination stay with you.
    Moag
     
    #2 Moag, May 24, 2016
  3. Rick 2.0

    Rick 2.0 OpenBuilds Team
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    Failures???? There are no failures, just good reasons to try something another way. ;)
     
    #3 Rick 2.0, May 24, 2016
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  4. andy-may

    andy-may New
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    Alright - less than perfect successes. I aim to achieve 100% success.:D
     
    #4 andy-may, May 24, 2016
  5. andy-may

    andy-may New
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    As an AutoCAD user, how am I able to upload dxf or dwg files? The system will not let me.:(
     
    #5 andy-may, May 24, 2016
  6. Moag

    Moag Veteran
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    Don't know if I can help you there Andy. I'm a Fusion 360 user and not familiar with AutoCAD. All I can suggest is to take a screen shot and upload that. Someone else might know.
     
    #6 Moag, May 24, 2016
  7. snokid

    snokid Journeyman
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    I think you are missing a step, you don't upload dxf files to the controller, you have to convert them to g-code then the controller does the rest.
    Bob
     
    #7 snokid, May 24, 2016
  8. MaryD

    MaryD OpenBuilds Team

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    This would be a great entry for the new "My First Build" contest. You should enter!

    * CONTESTS * Win Cool Stuff!

    #CONTEST #shamelessplug
     
    #8 MaryD, May 24, 2016
    Joe Santarsiero likes this.
  9. Tracy Ranson

    Tracy Ranson Well-Known
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    Hello, The thing that you call a break out board, isn't that a 4 axis usb controller that does not require drivers because it already is a driver? The reason I ask is I am considering purchasing one of those controllers for my wife's machine and I was wondering how it is working for you. Also, what software are you using to operate the device? Are you using mach3?
     
    #9 Tracy Ranson, May 26, 2016
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  10. andy-may

    andy-may New
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    Thanks for the message, I have only just started my build and taking things one at a time. I am using a USB CNC 4 Axis Controller Interface Board with 3 Single Axis TB6600 boards. I am not sure about drivers yet but from what I have gathered it is a Chinese clone of the PlanetCNC controller. It is driven by a PIC chip that I assume has been programmed as necessary, so I hope this answers your question.
    When I have finished the build I am thinking of using EMC2 as the software. If you are thinking of Mach 3 it may be worthwhile considering Mach 4 as I believe it supports USB ports.
    To date, I have used the board to run one stepper by using the onboard jog control so I am now going to make a remote control (using my 3D printer) that will control the axis jog direction and speed together with the obligatory "Oh sh*t" stop button.
    As the unit will be in a metal case, I am adding external LEDs to indicate pulses to the TB6600 boards.
    My build is a voyage of discovery for me and I hope I have given you enough information and welcome any suggestions.
     
    #10 andy-may, May 26, 2016
  11. Joe Santarsiero

    Joe Santarsiero OB addict
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    What type of machine, control software, and motors?
     
    #11 Joe Santarsiero, May 26, 2016
  12. andy-may

    andy-may New
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    Hi,
    I have yet to decide the type of machine, whether C beam, OX or whatever, I intend to make. All have their advantages and disadvantages. Software is another minefield, but I am tending towards EMC2 and running it on a laptop using Linux. The motors I have for the final build are Nema 23s rated at 2.8A, power 175oz (12.6kgf.cm).
    I am currently concentrating on the electronics side of the build with the associated testing. This will be followed by testing the software on a 3 axis rig (that is after I have learnt how to use it properly!)
     
    #12 andy-may, May 27, 2016

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