Messages

261

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: New Build 6 axis CNC first timer

« on: April 08, 2009, 03:16:49 AM »

That makes sense.  I'll start with one, and when I decide more is needed, I'll add more.  Btw, spindle ordering tomorrow;)

Barry

262

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: New Build 6 axis CNC first timer

« on: April 07, 2009, 10:23:31 PM »

A friend of mine has an emergency stop switch for each axis of his machine.  I didn't expect that.  I expected one switch for the whole machine.  What do you guys do?  One switch, or one per axis?  Is there a requirement for a commercial setup?

Barry

263

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: New Build 6 axis CNC first timer

« on: April 04, 2009, 02:41:19 PM »

Nice organized kit box you've got there.  I plan on mine being like yours too.  Your power supply is supplying power to everything?  How does that work?  I was thinking I'd have to get a separate one for each part for some reason.  Yes, that's the newbie in me;)

Barry

264

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: New Build 6 axis CNC first timer

« on: April 03, 2009, 12:00:45 PM »

Thanks Tweakie, I didn't know that about the wire.  I thought screened cable was only for audio/video.  Good to know!  Btw, I plan on hooking up all the electronics first, to make sure that works, and can place it all in a lock box hidden away before making the frame.  Does that make sense?  I usually see others build their frame first.  Dunno, just seemed more appropriate to me this way.

Barry

265

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: April 03, 2009, 11:03:12 AM »

Hi folks, I'm a newbie here that's building my first cnc machine.  My background is in visual effects production.  I'm now getting into industrial modeling, and have always wanted a cnc machine to extend creativity.  The machine I'm building will be 6 axis.  I know a little ambitious, but I am getting help from a friend that helps run a large cnc shop.  My main medium will be wood and some occasional soft metals.

I'll be asking a lot of stupid questions on the forum, I'm sure, please bear with me;)

Barry

266

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: New Build 6 axis CNC first timer

« on: April 03, 2009, 10:56:32 AM »

I'm just ordered a B/C drive and about to order the spindle.  I do have a couple spindle questions though.  What is the difference between S1 and S6?  If this is in a home workshop, would that make a difference if you got S1 vs S6?  Is one more difficult to use than the other, more testy?

Let me know.

I figure I'm 1/2 way through parts ordering now, this gets a bit pricey huh!

Barry

267

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / New Build 6 axis CNC first timer

« on: March 31, 2009, 03:18:34 PM »

Hey folks, go big or go home right?  Anyway, I'm building a 6 axis cnc and would like advice and pointers as I order parts and what not.  I figured I'll order all the electronics first, make sure they work, and build the machine around them.

For the final machine, it's going to be a moving gantry system with an A/B head from doughty drive.  Initially the machine will be 5 axis.  The 6th axis will be added later to the table to revolve objects.  The cutting surface, I plan on being about 4' x 4' x 3'.  I will be primarily cutting wood, soft and hard.  Sometimes I'll be cutting metal as well.

Here's what I've ordered so far...

1.  USB Smooth Stepper
2.  7 Gecko G203V drives
3.  4 Nema 34 1250 oz motors
4.  Mach 3 (of course)

What I'd like advice on from here, would be:

1.  Power Supply (I need it to power each drive, which in turn will power the motors, remember there are 7.  The gantry will have two drives/motors to move it.)
2.  extra switches like limit switches, emergency cut-off switch (how many, and where?)
3.  wire (what's the accepted standard, how many colors etc)
4.  kit box to store everything neatly (Are there large locking ones?  Do we all make them by hand?)

Later on I'll ask questions about the frame.  For now, it's only electronics.