I you wanted to build a new cnc machine, router or others, what would you change, more about electronics than mechanics.

Present setup and new setup.

Would like to ear what would be the best material, again, mostly electronic.

Like PP vs other controls or any devices.

Jeff

Dont think I would change anything on my Beaver Mill or Computurn Lathe but if I was doing the Bridgeport again it would be with AC Servos like the others.
Would still go with the SmoothStepper unless a newer version of it was out, then I would likely choose that.

Never had any issues with any of the electronics I have, PMDX 122 breakouts seem rock solid, DL-06 PLCs are the same.
Oh there is one thing I would change on the lathe, and will be doing it at some point, it is change out the panel switches for better quality ones. Only problem is the ones I like are £20 each so gets kind of expensive when you have 12 or more, will just wait until I find some on eBay
Hood

Mr Hood which switches do you use?

thanks

They are eao 31 series switches that I have on my mill.

Hood

Brushless servos - Yaskawa, Mitsubishi, Automation Direct and others make some really nice brushless servos with a stepper interface. Lots of speed, lots of torque and not a lot of heat. Price is a bit higher, but that is always the tradeoff- performance has its price.

You use 24v too, don't you Hood?

You use 24v too, don't you Hood?

For most things such as external switches, Limits, E-Stop string to contactors etc
 Step/Dir are obviously 5v but I use differential outputs and same for MPG, its differential.

Hood

My current machine works fine, but the physical layout of the electronics (done by a third party) is ridiculous. Everything is jammed in tightly together, and I have to deconstruct half the case to get at anything.
I would go for a very clean open layout which allows test probe access.

Cheers