Topics

31

General Mach Discussion / Anti-Backlash Nut Setting

« on: May 21, 2022, 02:23:57 PM »

In front of the shafts double bearing there is an anti-backlash nut with a set screw.

How do I set this nut and tight the set screw. Some say this nut is not needed on these screws.

Thanks

32

General Mach Discussion / CNC OnLine Parts in UK

« on: May 18, 2022, 02:45:57 PM »

Anyone knows online stores in UK for cnc related parts?

Thanks

33

General Mach Discussion / Need Axes Control with Joystick

« on: May 13, 2022, 10:04:21 PM »

On my new cnc I will be using a Windows 8 laptop which will be connected to Mach3 with ESS. I never used a joystick before but I was thinking to do so now since the keyboard on a laptop is too small.

My setup is pretty basic, Y,A,X.Z axes with 4 stepper motors, I just want axes control. What kind of joysticks are available to control all 3 axes?

Thanks

34

General Mach Discussion / Spindle Height

« on: May 03, 2022, 02:53:21 PM »

Although I built in the past few CNC machines I can’t remember what is a comfortable height to set the Z axis support plate. If I use a 3/8 bit which is about 3” total length there is some room for the spindle to go up/dn but if I use a 1/8” bit which is about 1.5” total length then the available room is really small and most likely will trigger the limit switch.

Any hints how to go about this setting?

35

General Mach Discussion / Can I Mix Micro Limit Switches with Proximity Sensors?

« on: March 20, 2022, 02:00:28 PM »

I bought these Proximity Sensor package few years back when I was finishing my last cnc (Mach3, G540, VFD, Water Cooled Spindle) but decided to use Micro Limits instead.

Now for my new cnc I decided to use for the first time ESS/C11G BOB instead of a parallel printer cable, and I wonder if I can mix these Proximity Sensors in Y/A/X axes with Micro Limit Switches in the Z axis. I will still use Mach3 for now.

I never used Prox. Sensors before and to my opinion it will be very difficult to locate these sensors on the Z axis due to limited space so I was thinking to install the Micro ones (Z+, Z-),

However my question is would mixing 2 different kind of Limits create complications?

Thanks

36

General Mach Discussion / How to Layout Hold-Down Rails

« on: March 18, 2022, 01:01:02 PM »

The attached pictures show the table where my new cnc will sit (this is the support table). This top is 42”x30” but the top of the cnc will be less, approx. 34”x27” and the cutting area will even be smaller.

The 3 small aluminum rails shown are 19.5” long each and the single one is 42” long which I will cut to make 2 more 19.5” long rails, so I will have 5 rails each 19.5” long.

The question I have is which way will be more practical to lay these rails, front to back as shown in one picture or left to right as shown in the other picture. The space between these rails will be filled with 1/2" plywood which is the thickness of these rails

Thanks

37

General Mach Discussion / Text Engraving Software

« on: March 18, 2022, 10:05:43 AM »

Never done any engraving but I want to replace the paper printed labels in my control panel for something better. The letters will not be anything larger than 1” most likely around 1/4" to 1/2".

Searching for a software which also will give me the g-code I came up with Roland Dr. CNC Text engraving but have no idea if it’s the best software out there. I will be using Mach3 in my home made CNC.

Any suggestions which software is suitable for text engraving?

And which material to use. Perhaps plastic blanks?

Thanks

38

General Mach Discussion / Start Building a new CNC

« on: March 01, 2022, 03:47:22 AM »

It’s about 5 years I stopped building CNC machines, I made 9 in the past (most in aluminum plate) which I did as a hobby and then sold to recover my cost. Now I would like to make a small one to keep for hobby use, about 16”x16” cutting area with 4 NEMA 23 stepper motors but I have forgotten a lot about the rest.

I have a Taig 200-60 ER-16 spindle with a Sherline 33080 DC motor and speed control 90VDC, 6100RPM which is good for my needs. I also have a Mech3 license which I bought in 2009 and I would like to keep the same if I can. I understand Mach3 has changed a lot since 2009 but I don’t know anything more. To make my drawings and g-code I have access to Mastercam X5 and I know how to use it.

I also have the required linear support rails and ball screws/bearings which I can cut to fit my needs.

I know that I have to buy a Gecko G540 driver (I think) and the computer to drive the new CNC is a 7 years old ASUS 17” laptop with Windows 8.1.

The problem now starts with the interface between the laptop and Gecko. Before I was using desktops with a printer cable but now I don’t want to use a desktop so the printer cable is out. Using 4 motors for A/Y axes +X +Z vs 3 motors Y+X+Z does not take much more space but using a desktop along with a screen takes much more space and I don’t want that. The new CNC must be as compact as possible.

So what are the available options / suggestions?

Thank you

39

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Looking for Mill / Lathe Conversion Ideas

« on: September 16, 2018, 08:47:15 PM »

I have a CNC mill with a cutting table size of 36”x28”x6”which is working fine and recently I built a combo lathe / mill (manual operation) which also works fine and are shown in the attached pictures.

I want to incorporate the lathe part into the CNC mill table and I am looking for suggestions. I will disconnect the CNC part from the mill table and convert it to manual, like the lathe, and later perhaps I will convert both to CNC. The mill and lathe will never work together at the same time as there is no need to do so. 

The CNC mill now runs on Mach3 and this project is for hobby use

Nicolas

40

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / My New CNC Extra Photos

« on: June 02, 2017, 02:53:44 PM »

Here are some additional pics