Hi All, Just thought I'd introduce myself to the forum. I am UK based, Scotland to be precise. I took delivery of my Ooznest Workbee at the weekend. I went for the 1000mm X 1000mm screw driven version. So far I have assembled the 48x wheels, and am looking forward to taking my time with the rest of the build, and understanding the workings of the machine. I didn't go for any particular design software, as I thought I would see how far I could get using Fusion360. I may well look in to getting some Vectric software in future. The forum looks to be an awesome source of information and experience with these machines, and I can't wait to get started. Look forward to chatting with you all. Cheers, Graeme
Hi @G-Wizard, you have come to the right place for support - this is a community of learners so do pass on any hints or tips you come up with as well as shouting out if you get stuck. For starters have a look at some recent build reports on here (eg; The BEE and ME or Workbee with Duet controller). There is a steep learning curve with Fusion 360, but it will do almost anything you want it to, and again there are people on here who know it very well. Alex.
Thanks for the welcome Alex. I have been keeping an eye on the threads you link to. There are some gems of information in there. I'll certainly be sure to pass on any tips I find along the way. Cheers, Graeme
G-Wizard Welcome indeed. As Alex has said, we pride ourselves with being a really friendly and helpful site for all levels of CNC users. Have a good look around all areas of the site. Check out the build videos made by many, many people and maybe learn what not to do. Just about everything you could possibly need to know is here, finding it may take a while though, so don't worry about asking any questions. Hope your build goes smoothly with as few hitches as possible. Good Luck. Gray
Thanks Gray... That's a great shout about looking at build videos. I didn't know they existed, only what I had seen on YouTube. I'll go and have a look through the site and see what videos I can find.
Welcome @G-Wizard....I've had more than my fair share of issues, and still having. but it's all a learning curve...and the more problems you bump into the more you strive to find the solution...Folks on this forum are great, they simply won't let you down...and as @Alex Chambers and co have already mentioned..take a look around...I cataloged my build purely and simply not just for me to go back and reference but for others. You may also find some good ideas elsewhere, see something you like and perhaps improve upon..I wish you all the best with your build, take your time read and re-read the manuals alongside the videos..sometimes the manual isn't 100% clear. Above all if you get stuck then just ask..no question is a stupid question. I wouldn't be at the stage I'm at presently if it wasn't for the help I received Good Luck Regards C.
Thanks Colin. I've been following your threads with interest, as I could see you are going through a build... even the one where you are ready for chucking in the towel! I'm sure I have some of those days ahead of me as well... Hopefully I'll get out to my cave and make a bit more progress tonight. I found a few videos on the Openbuilds YouTube channel for building a Workbee, so I'll give it a look. Don't know how I didn't find them sooner... Thanks again, Graeme
So I'm making a bit of progress with my build. I'm not making a build thread as I just battered in and started building things, so I've missed a few photo opportunities. Plus @Colin Mccourt and @Alex Chambers build threads are epic, and better than anything I would produce... I have assembled both Y-Plates, and the X-Plate so far. Having to keep in mind to attach the Z-Axis limit switch before I go too far..... I haven't encountered any issues so far. My only boggle has been how tight is too tight for the eccentric spacers when running the C-Beam through them... I think I have them too tight just now, as I can make them drive the C-Beam by rolling them with my finger, and there is quite a lot of friction there. My understanding is the eccentric spacers are only there to dial-out any play between the wheels against the C-Beam? I have watched the video on the Openbuilds YouTube channel. This has been great to watch alongside reading the Ooznest manual, so thanks for the heads-up on that. Also, I haven't attached the Lead Screws to the Y-Plates. It looked too difficult to square the anti-backlash nuts up at this stage. I am going to leave them till the end of the mechanical assembly, as per the Openbuilds video. Anyways, hopefully make a bit more progress this evening. Really hoping to have the mechanical assembly over the weekend - barring any challenges..... Cheers, Graeme
Too many people get hung up on the tightness of the eccentric spacers. It's not really a case of tightness, it's a case of free-play. Back-off the eccentric so you can feel free-play, adjust them up so you can't. They should be able to turn with a push from your fingers. That's it really.
Thanks. Yeah, I had figured as much. I think I got caught up with the statement in the manual saying you should adjust all the eccentric spacers by the same amount, and this is where the friction is coming in. I'll loosen them all off a bit tonight before going any further.
Just like to throw my two cents in here G....I too got hung up on this tightness thing...for what it's worth and in my case I just tightened them up lightly just so that they were rubbing and no more...the reason being when I had it all built things changed considerably...some were even bound very tightly...I tilted the machine on its side and worked on them in turn so as they all were again only just taught...it some times became a trade-off front against rear on each set..just keep on working at them and they will all eventually feel the same when rolled by your fingers...it will be a case of turning very small amounts in certain cases....this, when put back down and connected up again, ran smooth as a nut and fairly quiet all having that nice clean whoop sound as the motors kicked in....Now I reiterate this is only how I went about this task...others more experienced than I may well take a different view...Regards C
They are going to need re-adjusting after a few hours running - the tyres will "bed in" on the wheels. Alex.
Thanks @Colin Mccourt, I appreciate the advice. I think I'll back them all off tonight to the point where they are just touching, and then do the final fettling once I have the mechanical assembly pretty much complete. I'll undoubtedly want to go round checking all the nuts are tight anyway.
Agreed @Alex Chambers, thanks. Makes me wonder how folk put these machines in enclosures if they have to perform this kind of periodic maintenance on it. For what it's worth, I plan on building an enclosure for mine, but will need to put some serious thought in to it. I'm even considering heavy duty drawer slides to allow me to pull it out for maintenance occasions.
Hi @G-Wizard, I would suggest making the enclosure easily removable and keep the machine as rigid as possible if that can be done in your setup. Alex.
Agreed @Alex Chambers. These are the thoughts that are going through my head... Do I want a completely removable cover, or something that can flip out of the way, all whilst keeping the sound and dust in. These are thoughts for further down the line though. Have to get the machine up and running first!
I got the X-Plate mounted to the Z-Plate last night. I followed the advice I seen on here and installed the Z-Axis limit switch at the same time. So far I just have it all bolted together. I need to look a bit closer at routing the wires from the Z-Axis limit switch. Really must print the subsequent manuals for all the rest of the setup...
Hi @G-Wizard, I thought it might be useful to pass on a problem @Colin Hart had with the wire from his Z axis limit switch - the X axis drag chain caught it and broke it. Try to route the limit switch wire on the edge of the gantry plate where the drag chain won't catch it - I'm just off to cut the zip ties and re-route mine! (I'm also thinking of printing a spacer plate to hold the X drag chain a little further away from the gantry plate) Alex.
Thanks very much for the heads-up @Alex Chambers, really appreciate it. I zip tied the z-limit switch in place last night, but must admit to not being too happy with it. The zip ties touch the x-axis c-beam as the holes aren't aligned with the c-beam grooves. I think this is something that could be fed back. I'll definitely have a look tomorrow and see about fastening the cable to the side of the plate. Thanks again.
Evening Chaps, i also moved the drag chain out a notch, it sits at a slight angle but still functions correctly.
I saw that in your thread @Colin Hart - that's what made me think of printing a spacer plate. I'll do that as soon as I get round to taking the X drag chain off to measure it. I'll post the design in parts on here when I've done it. Alex.
For what its worth I only loosely adhered to the manual on where to place my cable management ties I followed the manual to a degree and had a look at where the moving parts are going to likely come into conflict with wiring and switchgear..this I learned when I crushed the wire to the "Z" limit switch by not pulling it taught enough to clear them...after that I surveyed where were the best places to tie off given length of travel of the various axis. Maybe just a small point but provisionally set your wiring and roll things around a little you'll soon know when to keep certain wires taught and leave some others with a certain amount of slack then tie off accordingly. Regards C
Just be warned...3 out of 4 stepper motor wires had failed crimps at the white connector end going on to the Duet board. If you have any issues with motors running / not check this issue first. I replaced all 4 white stepper motor connectors with the spares in the Duet box and soldered the wires to the metal connectors. Oozenest also sent me a set of replacement cables. This was last week....obviously an on-going issue.
Yes - I and @Colin Mccourt had this problem too. @Ryan Lock acknowledges this has been a problem and says that it has been dealt with. It can also cause a stepper to run in the wrong direction. Alex.
Thanks for the heads-up @hobdayd. Fingers crossed I have a decent batch. I'm nearly finished the mechanical assembly, not been able to devote the time I want to it. So I shouldn't be too far away from doing all this.
Hi @G-Wizard, I suggest gently pulling on the stepper motor and limit switch wires at the connectors before attaching them to anything. At the Duet end be careful to ensure that the pin on the duet connector is going into the connector on the wire properly - it can go to one side. Alex.
Thanks @Alex Chambers. I had a similar issue with the Z-Axis limit switch, the red wire came out of the connector far to easily! I'll give them a look tomorrow. I already have the X and Z stepper motors installed.
