Messages

21

Mach3 and G-Rex / Re: Control Panel running, Machine is not..HELP

« on: April 04, 2016, 04:37:46 PM »

Your ports need to be installed as Com port LPT1 LPT2 and the addresses need to be obtained from device properties and entered into Mach3 before it will work. As a techie you should know this.

22

General Mach Discussion / Re: parallel port

« on: April 01, 2016, 12:56:19 AM »

Dell still offers parralel as standard

23

FAQs / Re: Mach 3 only loads half of the gcode

« on: March 29, 2016, 03:58:55 PM »

Idiots curently selling pirated licences on eBay if anyone wants to get them removed

24

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Router/Mill Design & Build

« on: March 25, 2016, 07:02:25 AM »

I design in Fusion360 using (Dimensions & Description)  in (Sketch/Body & Component) naming conventions that document the project, a few comments and pictures of machining assembly steps and most of my projects can be replicated or amended by anyone. As an IT consultant building bespoke systems since the late 80's you're preaching to the converted I over document everything in a manner suitable for Idiots as they usually were!

25

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Router/Mill Design & Build

« on: March 23, 2016, 11:39:04 AM »

Time to reflect and rethink design a bit of input from others so a few changes made.

Knocked up version 2 this is a draft few peices omitted till I collect stock material acquired today like side of gantry just turned original on side for now and nor bothered actually mating same to bearings more for concept than actual design, also brackets mounts for screws, motors etc missing.  Hopefully overall design and more importantly rigidity improved pics below sides now 6x2x1/4" Aluminium Box, cross member on X axis now original 150x30mm Backed by 2@3x1x1/4 Angle faced to 75mm x 25.4 to fit.

26

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Router/Mill Design & Build

« on: March 22, 2016, 05:03:33 PM »

Been busy of late and the conversion of the Seig X1LP super has been succesfull to date, now time to build something from scratch. Started badly as I couldn't resist a bargain and came across a couple of sets of Rails Bearings and screws at the right price Sub £300 delivered. So my starting point now is:
4@ SBR20-300mm Linear guide
4@ SBR20-600mm Linear guide
4@ SBR20-1000mm Linear guide
24@ SBR20UU Linear blocks
2@ SFU / RM 1605-350mm- C7 ballscrew with end machined
2@ SFU / RM 1605-650mm - C7 ballscrew with end machined
2 SFU / RM 1605-1050mm- C7 ballscrew
2@ with end machined
6@ BK12 support for ballscrew
6@ BF12 support for ballscrew
6@ Couplings
Major considerations, I have a workshop in a spare room in my first floor flat so everything gets carried up and down as required, and I try to limit noise to be considerate to neighbours. Been looking at Fusion 360 which I find simple and straightforward to use with the Seig conversion so knocked up a quick mock up of a machine to get some comments and advice sure there are lots of traps I have fallen in to pictures below .
My requirements call for a 700x400mm work area and max 100 mmZ axis. Not included in pictures are 2 SFU / RM 1605-1050mm- C7 ballscrews driving Y axis, either 1 or 2 SFU / RM 1605-650mm - C7 ballscrew driving X axis and single SFU / RM 1605-350mm- C7 ballscrew driving Z axis with a Chinese 2.2 water cooled and VFD. A lot of my strength I am relying on a solid base I intend to bolt whole thing solidly down onto a welded steel framed table with a solid cast iron top.
Click image for larger version.  Name: CNC.jpg  Views: 19  Size: 93.9 KB  ID: 17984Click image for larger version.  Name: cncB.png  Views: 17  Size: 101.2 KB  ID: 17985Click image for larger version.  Name: cncF.png  Views: 12  Size: 47.2 KB  ID: 17986Click image for larger version.  Name: cncS.png  Views: 18  Size: 43.0 KB  ID: 17987Click image for larger version.  Name: cncT.png  Views: 13  Size: 75.5 KB  ID: 17988

Material wise two bed sides are100x100x10mm T section which can be backed up by another 25-35mm plate without losing work area, X and Z main components 25mm and 30mm Ecocast, first draught so nothing much fixed apart from overall size, my idea is based on ease of build, welding in the flat is not an option, also the materials used in the design are already in stock so using them is a no brainer.

27

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Seig Super X1LP HiTorque Mill CNC Conversion

« on: February 21, 2016, 04:02:00 PM »

Played with 3d printing and built a Mostly Printed CNC for fun, it showed me the possibilities even if unable yto carry them out to the standard I wanted, so build my own machine to do exactly what I want. Only problem being I was a bricklayer now an IT consultant with no engineering experience, but will try anything at least once so I decided to buy and convert a Milling machine to make parts for the machine I want to build. I had the problem of living in a first floor flat and whatever I brought I knew the Courier would "claim not insured to carry it up their mate!" so it had to be manageable or I would have to bring in some help, at 61kg crated the Seig X1 fitted the bill and its quiet compared to most so I ordered it and received it just over a week ago, unpacked and left sitting waiting for a quiet moment to get a look at the conversion.

Today was the day I had ordered 3 Nema 23 270oz steppers and TB6560 so nothing to stop me a whole day to myself, 12 hiours and its been running and made two parts for another project. IT was nice and simple to work on as the leadscrews were already in place for the hand wheels so just a case of fixing the motors, configure the drivers map the software and BObs your aunty as they say.

Its still an ugly beast the electronics need casing the Z axis motor mount needs fixing to get rid of the quick release clamps but it works a new CNC mill for the sum of £580 for the mill and £80 for the parts £660 for a CNC mill sounds reasonable to me as no mechanical operations carried out on the Mill except for 4 small holes drilled I haven't even voided the warranty yet. Two small jobs completed first cutting some pockets in acrylic to seat 608z bearings and a 3mm Aluminium bed cut for a 3d printer, bit of finishing to do but so far I am happy with what I have achieved on a relatively small budget finish the conversion do the aesthetics and then on to the reason for buying and converting this a 1500x1000x300 cnc router which I may well plan, suck it and see worked for this job but the hard work was already done.