CNC Project
This document is a log of what happens each week.
The latest info will be on top��If you lose the link for this document you can always find the link on our Home page��https://www.melbpc.org.au/our-activities/cnc-project/
Email contact: cncproject@melbpc.org.au
5/10/25
Attendance 5
5/10/25
3D printed mount
WIP - a nice plaque for this dial is coming
16/3/2025
Controlling
Power and Speed
Will eventually be mounted to Monitor Stand
2/3/2025
This Week
Next week 9/2
Attendance 8
2/3/2025
Attendance 8
Tabs
23/2/2025
This week
Next week
Attendance 7
Using a screwdriver to drizzle oil on the screws
23/2/2025
Attendance 7
Taking .1mm off the top of the board
23/2/2025
Attendance 7
Clamps live in this labelled container
“DO NOT SPOIL THE SPOIL BOARD”
Material is raised off the spoil board using small pieces of acrylic called “Parallels”
Clamping material
23/2/2025
Attendance 7
RobB’s project
Making chips
Paused - we need to setup tabs so it will hold in place
Practicing on a piece of scrap mdf
16/2/2025
This week
Continuing on with the spoil board, prepping the top surface
Next week
Continuing on with the spoil board, prepping the top surface
Attendance 5
16/2/2025
Attendance 5
Using Wizard - Circle Center
16/2/2025
Attendance 5
Counterbore
9/2/2025
This week
Next week
Continuing on with the spoil board, prepping the top surface
Attendance 11
9/2/2025
Attendance 11
Cleaning under the spoil board while it is accessible
Removing spoil board to add hex nuts
9/2/2025
Attendance 11
Using a bolt to bring the hex nut to below the surface. Just the right amount
9/2/2025
Attendance 11
Checking all the hex nuts
Discussing what happens next
2/2/2025
This week
Next week
Continuing on with the spoil board prep
Attendance 8
2/2/2025
Attendance 8
Correct fit
The hex pocket position is correct, the hole is off and will need to be redrilled
19/1/2025
This week
Next week
No session 25/1/25 long weekend�See you on Sunday 2/2/25 @ 1pm
Attendance 8
Success! 250+ to go
19/1/2025
Attendance 8
Clamping on edge to get nut underneath to prepare sample hex pockets
First attempt. Too much slop
Multiple attempts to get the friction fit just right
19/1/2025
Attendance 8
Took 4 sets of hands for this task
Want to make sure we cut the hex pocket centre to the predrilled hole.
�Used a piece of paper to make an impression of the hole, then using a “sharp pointy” tool to lower in position.�
We are centred�
Then made our first hex pocket on the spoil board.�Now ready to make 250+ more
11/1/2025
This week
Next week
Attendance 8
11/1/2025
Attendance 8
The red area is outside of the cutting area
50mm grid
100mm grid
5/1/2025
This week
Next week
Attendance 9
5/1/2025
Attendance 9
Tool path for in the air pass
Running the toolpath in the air. Shows 3 plunges/retracts to get through the material.
5/1/2025
Attendance 9
Adjusting the limit switches
Centre of tool lines up with edge of spoil board
Out of alignment
Temporary
5/1/2025
Attendance 9
Checking linear accuracy.
Setting steps per rev.
29/12/2024
This week
Next week
Prepare to drill clamp holes in bottom surface
Attendance 6
Gantry
Top view cutting area
1260mm
775mm
29/12/2024
Attendance 6
Homemade dust cover, did a great job!
You can still see what is happening
�Short Video of it in action
29/12/2024
Attendance 6
Preparing surface for testing
�Short Video of hand sanding the ridges
29/12/2024
Attendance 6
Checking squareness. Passed the test, we can move onto next step
22/12/2024
This week
Attendance 4
These are to be used for clamps. Dennis turned two into four by cutting in half in his workshop
22/12/2024
Attendance 4
Bolting the spoil board to the bottom rails.�This is not permanent yet. �Part 1 of multiple steps to prepare the surface of the spoil board
22/12/2024
Attendance 4
John has made a tool to help prepare the board for surfacing
Path of tool, taking .2mm off
22/12/2024
Attendance 4
Yes we need a proper dust extraction system.�Working with what we have at the moment�Short video
No dust in this photo as it is not taking any material off the surface in that spot
15/12/2024
This week�
Attendance 8
15/12/2024
Attendance 8
Use lathe to make a spike from a bolt
15/12/2024
Attendance 8
Position 9 spikes in specific spots (measured)�Lay spoil board on top of spikes (measured)�Hammer on top of 9 spikes to create imprint
15/12/2024
Attendance 8
Remove spoil board�Mark the spike imprints ready for next week
8/12/2024
This week
Next Week
Continuing on with squaring up z axis�22/12 for the real enthusiast :-)�29/12 the the real enthusiast :-)
Attendance 7
Limit Switches
8/12/2024
Attendance 7
Taping the spindle motor to the dial indicator
Preliminary check for square
8/12/2024
Attendance 7
1
2
3
4
Levelling the gantry to the bed
Sequential tightening the screws connecting the gantry to gantry bracket
3
5
6
7
8
Check orientation of Tee nuts
8/12/2024
Attendance 7
1/12/2024
This week
Next Week
Continuing on
Attendance 12
1/12/2024
Attendance 12
Prototype - Aluminium tape to shim.
Z axis block tolerances
1/12/2024
Attendance 12
More measuring
1/12/2024
Attendance 12
Homemade flapper
Smoothing out the bore
Reassembling the rails
1/12/2024
Attendance 12
Many hands on the job spinning the rail to get the block to the other end.
Rectangular tube added to gantry to reduce deflection
24/11/2024
This Week
Dismantled CNC�It was discovered that some screws were loose, this could have been the cause of some of our problems.�Sorted parts ready for assembly
Clean up workshop
Next Week
John has finished 2 blocks. Bearings have arrived
Will continue with assembly, need quality control to ensure all screws are tightened correctly
Videos - Boring after drilling 16mm hole
Boring to 28mm diameter with multiple passes. Taking 1mm off per pass to avoid chatter, didn't want job to move
15 sec https://youtube.com/shorts/g-pCU24wy7E?feature=share
47 sec https://youtube.com/shorts/6FhroFVQW3c?feature=share
Attendance 6
27/11/24
Amended proposed fix�Single block twice as long
John created these drawings in SketchUp for our documentation
Attendance 6
24/11/2024
Attendance 6
Block assembly
24/11/2024
Attendance 6
Plan
End View
24/11/2024
Attendance 6
Side View
24/11/2024
Attendance 6
Xray view for clarity
24/11/2024
Attendance 6
Drill new bearing block
Making of the block�Rough drilling all the way through
24/11/2024
Attendance 6
Proposed fix - 2 separate blocks. We went with 1 long block
Dismantled ready for assembling new blocks
24/11/2024
Attendance 7
More dismantling
Dismantled parts
24/11/2024
Attendance 7
Prior to disassembly
24/11/2024
Attendance 7
Y end assembly
24/11/2024
Attendance 6
Clean up - made space on shelf for drawers
Donated Laser cutter fits here - looking for a champion. Is that you?
17/11/2024
Attendance 6
10/11/2024
From David E
The RHS extrusion was marked out for holes necessary to attach it to the gantry using M6 bolts and T nuts. This was drilled and Rob was dispatched to Bunnings for suitable washers to reinforce the attachments. The gantry was disassembled enough to allow the RHS to be attached.
From John S
To install the tee nuts the LHS end plate of the gantry and the top & bottom screws of the "L" bracket were removed. Seven Tee nuts inserted and positioned into each Tee slot. The RHS was then secured in position by moving the X axis linear bearing assembly "as the separator gauge" along the length of the axis. The end plate and "L" bracket re-installed and a quick check for additional stiffness was performed in the affirmative.
Attendance 6
10/11/2024
Attendance 6
Discussions and problem solving
Removing locking plates from back of gantry
10/11/2024
Attendance 6
Marking out drill holes in reinforcing RHS for back of gantry
27/10/2024
Further discussion about how to reinforce the gantry and it was decided that a rectangular hollow aluminium section would be bolted to the back of the existing two 20mm x 40mm extrusions. The new piece will be 100mm x 50mm RHS with 3mm thick wall. This will be bolted onto teenuts in the grooves in the existing rails with 14 bolts distributed along the RHS in two rows. This will require holes drilled in both sides of 100mm width of the new section to allow access for the 4mm hex head cap screws.
Also an angle bracket to the Z axis ball nut block to allow the spindle motor to be mounted to side of this block rather than the front as at the moment, this will reduce the spindle overhang at the expense of a reduction in X axis travel.
If further mods are desired the drawing is a proposal for the new gantry. 100mm x 50mm RHS in steel with one linear rail mounted on top and the other on the front face. An a right angle piece would be used to connect the linear bearings and connect with the ball screw which will be mounted on top, that rectangle with a circle in out masked by the light reflection. The Z axis will be mounted on the vertical face of the angle as it is at the moment. We will have to fabricate new bearing and motor mounts for the ball screw.
----------
No Meeting on Sunday 3/11/24
Attendance 6
27/10/2024
Attendance 6
Phil, Brandon & John in deep discussion
John & Phil adjusting spindle axis squareness
27/10/2024
Attendance 6
These hash marks are the spacings for the bolt holes in the RHS to be used in the reinforcing of the existing gantry
27/10/2024
From RobB (You need your melbpc login to access these links)
https://forum.melbpc.org.au/t/a-mechanical-kit-to-to-kick-start-a-project/1004/67
Attendance 6
Screenshot next slide
Screenshot next slide
link to above Discourse forum article
https://burksbuilds.com/automation/cnc-router/cnc-router-stiffness-analysis/
If you can't access RobB’s links we can go through it next meeting. Have tried to include here in the slides. Had trouble with SectionModulus.odt myself
27/10/2024
Attendance 6
20/10/2024
A discussion was held about rebuilding the gantry or trying to reinforce the existing beam. A consensus was reached that reinforcing would be a more practical approach at this stage. The flexing introduced by the linear bearings will be treated later as it is small in comparison to flexure in the gantry beam. Further discussions next week.
Other topics raised for future discussion
20/10/2024
Third photo shows a metal bracket clamped to the gantry beam in approx. the middle of beam. First photo shows dial gauge just touching the bracket and zeroed off. Second photo show displacement on the dial gauge of the deflection of the bracket arm.
The distance between the top centre of the gantry beam and where the load was placed was 400mm, the load was 750gm, and the deflection was 50 thou approx. 1.2mm.
When the spindle was used to drill a 6mm dia hole into the MDF using a sharp carbide bit the upwards displacement of the measuring arm was also 1.2mm. All loads were in the vertical direction.
Setting up Measuring Stand
Before load
After load
13/10/2024
Attendance 10
3 Couplers to be replaced with beefier ones
GCode Documention Link to Manual
(**** Written by Dennis 30/9/2024 **** )
(**** For MPC CNC Spoilboard Array **** )
(**** Part of program required **** )
(tool - 6mm twist drill or thereabouts)
(part home - bottom left corner of board)
N010 ( Initialisations can be all on the same line )
N020 G21 ( Metric units )
N030 G90 ( Absolute distance mode )
N040 G64 ( Constant velocity mode )
N050 G40 ( Cancel cutter compensation mode )
N060 G00 Z10
N070 G00 X50.000 Y50.000
N080 M00 ( Waits for user input to move DOWN )
N090 G00 Z0.000 (Stop Befor touch, jog to touch and set Zero )
N100 M00 ( Waits for user input to move UP )
N110 G00 Z5.000
N120 ( Z0 - drill point touching board surface)
N130 (Bit changed & zero set.)
N140 G00 Z3.000
N150 (Drill 6Dia - 35 Deep )
N160 G00 X50. Y50.
N170 ( G73 - Caned cycle - peck dirlling )
N180 ( G98 - Rapid hight to Z height )
N190 ( Drill first hole -* Z,R,Q *)
N200 G73 G98 Z-35.0 R2.0 Q3 F200
N210 ( G99 - Rapid hight to R height )
N220 ( G91 - incremental mode repeat L times )
N230
N240 G99 G91 X100. L10 (Repeat 10 times at 100mm intervals on X axis)
N250
N260 Y100. (Move to next row )
N270 X-100. L10 (Drill second row)
N280 Y100.
N290 X100. L10 (Drill third row)
N300 Y100.
N310 X-100. L10 (Drill 4th row )
N320 ( G98 - Rapid hight to Z height )
N330 ( G80 -cancel motion mode )
N340 G98 G80
N350 G90 ( Absolute distance mode )
N360 G0 Z20
N370 G0 X0 Y0 ( move to part home
N380 M30 ( Program end and rewind )
GCODE from Dennis/John 13/10/24
13/10/2024
Following the GCODE to drill a hole every 100mm over 4 rows. You can see the yellow tool path.
Attendance 10
Tool path
13/10/2024
Drilled a series of holes
Inserted a drill bit in the hole to show that it is not true due to deflection on Z and Y
Attendance 10
13/10/2024
Attendance 10
Fusion 360 calls this " adaptive clearing " tool paths also known as high speed too paths.
This 46sec video is a great example and explanation
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HiMv14xDcDk
Here is a short video we did drilling a circle large than the tool
29/8/24
Some Youtube videos showing the methods we covered
No session next week 6/10 as there will be no power in the building
Clamping methods
Next session
22/9/24 - no session
29/9/24 - upstairs (not workshop). Bring your computer with Fusion loaded and follow along while we attempt the grid layout for spoil board
15/9/24
Attendance 10
Soft Limits settings
Watch the short video to see the motor come to a slow stop and not bang into the limits.
15/9/24
Attendance 10
15/9/24
Attendance 10
CamBam Software
Spiral Mill
15/9/24
Attendance 10
Practice grid cuts for the base of the spoil board to hold the hex nuts.
Using a 2.5mm, 1 flute tool
Tool path for hex nut cut
15/9/24
Attendance 10
Spindle Power
Spindle Speed
The plan is to move these controls to the “front” of the machine
To get these controls into the software will be a bigger project that will require a different power supply. A much bigger job.
Spindle Speed
Spindle Power
8/9/2024
Checking Square and tolerances
Vbit, first “cut” making chips
8/9/2024
Lots of settings. We will document once we get familiar with process.
8/92024
Watch short video here
“Members helping members”
Updates since last meeting
25/8/24
Morgan shared this link with us https://www.cadclass.org/pages/book
You can buy a hardback copy or scroll further down the page to get the free version “Free Mastering Autodesk Fusion eBook”
Just provide your email address and you get access to a Google drive folder containing chapters and a 358 page PDF��Aimed at Beginners and not just CNC
There will be no session on 1/9/24 (Father’s day)
John has shared this article
https://www.cnccookbook.com/v-carve-chamfer-dovetail-corner-rounder-round-over-bit
Still working through recording of Fusion CAM Zoom call
Short video https://youtu.be/akSowIRpssM
Some snippets plus what does 500mm/minute cutting speed look like
Attendance 9
25/8/24
John showed us how to use a screwdriver to “listen” for origin of a noise. Here is Morgan having a go
RobB setting limit switch position to square up Y axis
More Tuning & calibration
Attendance 9
25/8/24 Power On/Off
1. Lights
2. Lights/Power
3. Computer/Transformer
In cupboard under CNC
This is a first pass. Will improve this overtime, just capturing the elements and will make signs for workshop
Attendance 9
25/8/24
Found this in a box.
�Want to be able to duplicate what is on the Mach3 screen to another screen/projector so we don't have to crowd around the one monitor.
The computer is old and only has 1 VGA out
No model #’s on the VGA Multiplier
Does anyone have a power supply that would suit?�
Attendance 9
Sean shared this link $29.95 https://www.jaycar.com.au/3-12v-dc-72w-power-supply-7dc-plugs-and-usb-outlet/p/MP3310
18/8/24
Attendance 10
Tuning & Calibration started
Watch a short video here https://youtu.be/E_Db72Jn_ns
Pay attention to the sound of the machine and how it improves in later clips
18/8/24
Attendance 10
Looking for a power problem as the A Axis motor stopped working
Turned out to be a loose coupling :-)
18/8/24
Attendance 10
Experienced hands, feeling the wobble
12/8/24
Completed this week
A short timelapse of the busy hands working on the CNC Project
Next Week - a big milestone!
Tuning & calibrating
Making sure when you tell the machine to move 10mm through Mach 3 it actually moves 10mm
Mach 3 Manual we will be recording the results of tuning and calibration on page 5-40
12/8/24
Light On
Light Off
Senses object
Location of sensor
12/8/24
Control panel almost completed. Just a few more tweaks and we will close the cupboard doors
5/8/2024
This week 5/8/24
Wiring Continued
Future Work
5/8/2024
Estop switches (4) mounted, wiring run but not connected yet.
Limit switch wiring 80% done
Sean has done more wiring.
Machine wouldn't work without USB cable installed into interface card.
Lights hung above Finishing Table - Yay! Thanks RobB :-)
Tools have arrived
John shared this link which is a whole series on building a CNC from thehardwareguy.�This link is ep 013 but 014 is relevant also.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol4UvCvNaeo
5/8/2024
4 estops mounted�1 on each corner
5/8/2024 - Tools
28/7/2024
Thanks DavidE for the photos
Estop location
Estop location
Mirrored on other side
Spoil Board Part 1 detail - future work
Spoil Board Part 1
Pass 1
Pass 2
Pass 3
Bottom of spoil board
Top of spoil board
It is estimated that this might take 3 Sunday sessions to complete
Toe clamps - sneak peek
John has been busy in Fusion360 to create a design for the Toe Clamps
There are 3 parts we will 3D print as a prototype
�1. Toe Clamp
2. Grub screw
3. Clamp
1
2
3
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John recommends this video. A new method to face off/square up material | |
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21/7/24
4 field wires for each limit switch
Attendance 7
Sean did a lot of work on 19/7,
John and Rob continued on Sunday
21/7/24
Attendance 7
New stand for Monitor, keyboard and mouse, doesn't take up as much space on table top
21/7/2024 - useful links
Iqbal’s Fusion 360 video from 15/7/24. You will need to login with Melbpc login to access the video. Let us know if you are having problems | |
John’s recommended viewing - Autodesk Manufacture overview | |
Same video as above on Youtube �Introduction to Fusion Cam 1h 11m 4 years ago�skip to 4m mark to get past echo and actual start | |
CNC Basics from UNSW | |
Another recommendation from John | |
Mach3 Documentation. (Downloaded to our Documentation folder) |
21/7/24 Fusion 360 Info
30 day free trial then a subscription
Used to be called Hobby
21/7/2024
Reminder about cnccookbook.com - signed up for newsletter - sharing this useful information
Hi CNC'er.
I wanted to share some articles with you that are a little off the beaten path. They're about things most CNC'ers don't know about that are related to Feeds and Speeds:
- Chatter: We've all encountered chatter when machining. It's nerve wracking, hard on tools, and hard on your part. But did you know chatter is actually pretty straightforward to manage? This article tells you everything you need to know to turn chatter in your shop from an ugly surprise to a science.
- How to Adjust for Your Machine's Strengths and Weaknesses: Every CNC machine is different. Learn how to adjust your feeds and speeds for your machine's strengths and weaknesses.
- Premium Coolant Systems: You've seen them maybe even used them--high pressure coolant, through spindle coolant, programmable coolant nozzles, etc.. But what's their real value and how do they affect feeds and speeds?
- 40 Great Tips for Better Surface Finish: I know you haven't seen all these. There may be one there now that you could take advantage of today!
- How Do Your Peers Deal With Feeds and Speeds: We did an in-depth survey about how our readers deal with Feeds and Speeds and we were surprised at many of the results. So glad we asked!
I hope you enjoyed these articles.
Best,
Bob Warfield
CEO, CNCCookbook
14/7/24
No Meeting on 14/7
Waiting on electrical and only a couple of small tasks to do, will hold over to 21/7
Scroll down to see results on discussion last Sunday
Welcome to our 3 new attendees
7/7/2024 Discussion
Topic | Result |
Dennis’s Gantry suggestion | Agreed in principle but will wait until final spindle is mounted and review then |
Spindle choice | On loan from John - 100v DC 400w 10,000 rpm |
Spoil Board | Rob B is chasing up material through Cabinet makers/benchtops suppliers so we don't have to purchase a whole sheet |
Clamps | Make our own (from aluminium on the CNC machine) |
Tools | John and Dennis will make a short list of tools to start with |
Safety Induction | Will implement a buddy system - to be fleshed out in more detail |
Homework | https://www.cnccookbook.com/g-wizard-feeds-speeds-calculator-mill/ Use this website to calculate feeds and speeds. A lot to check out on this website |
CAD/CAM Software | We went around the room asking what people are using. A wide variety of solutions with a common thread of Fusion 360. None of us are experts in this field but want to go down the Fusion option. There is a lot of structured content on Autodesk website https://www.autodesk.com/learn/ondemand/curated/fusion-360-quick-start-guide |
Attendance 11 (incl 2 on Zoom)
7/7/24
Topics in no particular order and not sure how far we will get. Some of these topics will require multiple meetings.
Attendance 11 (incl 2 on Zoom)
Gantry - Dennis
Hi Project Members,
As we have seen, the gantry has an unacceptable 'rock' in the Y axis and at some point an additional linear bearing will need to be added at each side to reduce this.
I've been thinking how this might be achieved and have come up with a simple approach which I think would be satisfactory. (See attached sketch).
The features of this approach are:
The only change needed to existing components is to bore the existing nut/bearing mount to take the extension tube.
The distance between the linear bearings is determined by the length of the extension tube.
If this length needed to be changed, it could easily be done if the tube is fitted using a suitable grade Loctite.
Stock material may be available for the extension tube and angle bearing mount but if not, I have the capability to make these parts as machined aluminium castings.
Two additional linear bearings would be needed.
Since the existing parts have not been accurately measured, the dimensions/proportions of the sketch are notional and will need adjustment.
I invite your thoughts, comments and suggestions. Cheers, Dennis Fieldhouse
From Rob B
From Rob B
Are we happy with this E-stop?
https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005006009521005.html
I will order four as discussed if so.
Comments�JohnS - Looks OK to me Rob, so long as it is electrically sound and has NC contacts.
Peter Carpenter - Like nuclear missile launch switches and webcams, they have flip-covers so as to prevent accidental activation? Is the precaution and delay worth the consequence?No experience, but just a thought.�Dennis I'm happy with the switches. 10amp is not likely to be a limitation and even if so a relay(s) is a better way to go
Ordered
23/7/24
An example of clamps from our milling machine
23/7/24
Sean delivering the Control Panel
23/6/2024
John plotting the grid for the spoil board mounting holes
in CamBam
100mm
grid
50mm
grid
23/6/2024
23/6 List
23/6 Shopping List
Ordered
Example of clamping
down material for discussion
Grid on a spoil board
Cutting a grid into spoil board
Line up material to grid lines so you know offset from zero
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTvyreaShC0
Zero
Material lined up on grid lines
8 inches
6 inches
“Home made” wood clamps
He also has a video of making your own clamps�https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3Mpre6y2OE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9miRXZGd1I
16/6/2024
X
Y
Z
Motors and cabling labelled
Attendance 8
16/6/2024
16/6 List
Attendance 8
16/6/2024
“Shelf” support for cable track added
Attendance 8
16/6/2024
Control Panel cupboard at rear of CNC machine
3D Printed - fan guards that hold filter material.
One side is filtering air coming in, other side is exhaust fan
Attendance 8
16/6/2024
Front cupboard at front of CNC machine
Holds Computer that will run Mach3 and protect it from dust.
Keyboard stand found in workshop to start with
Attendance 8
9/6/2024
A, X and Z axis Cable going through John's holes
1 on this side, 2 another side
Fan holes
9/6/2024
Drill penetrations for cable routing - 4 were done
9/6/2024
Replaced flexible coupling and installed
2/6/2024
Today List
2/6/2024
Feeding cables through gantry flexible cable chain
2/6/2024
Weight 1379g
Weight 470g
Phil’s equipment for weight purposes
2/6/24
Brian shortening screws and showing off his large hammer
26/5/24
Rob pondering on new layout of X axis
John and Sean wiring control board
26/5/24
Whole machine reorientated on table, spindle changed to opposite side of x axis extrusions. Men thinking and checking different possibilities of alternative layout.
19/5/24
Attendance 6
To do list
Items in green done today
19/5/24
Attendance 6
A quick discussion about VFD and spindle. This is still a future decision.�
We have plenty of options of try using accessible spindles eg 400w DC and router style before recommending a spindle
Dennis brought in his spindle for us to look at.�10000rpm 0-100v weighs 1.27kg
19/5/24
Attendance 6
Using the lathe to shave 1000th of the ball screw
Working on the Control Panel
19/5/24
Attendance 6
third axis mounted
5/5/24
The internals of the Power Supply 12V/5V that was found last week.
Is it suitable and safe?
The jury is still out I believe.
Attendance 7
Note: Taking a break on 12/5 for Mothers Day
5/5/24
Using Dennis’s homemade (circa ‘60’s) measuring stick to ensure the sides of frame are parallel
Attendance 7
5/5/24
Carefully getting the T nuts lined up correctly
Attendance 7
5/5/24
Gantry assembly
Attendance 7
5/5/24
On the gantry are 2 rails.�Using parallels to make sure the distance between them is consistent for the spindle to travel easily along the rails
Slight gap at other end.�Made adjustments and all good now
Attendance 7
5/5/24
“The Magnificent 7”
Attendance 7
28/4/24
Attendance 11
Success - Mach 3 is talking to motor through the parallel breakout board
�Instruction was to move it 50mm
Moved 58mm so still some tweaking to do
A series of screen grabs from the zoom recording I created�Quality not good enough to watch the video. �
28/4/24
Power Supply found in the bits and pieces box on shelf in workshop�To be used for logic board, limit switches, fans
Attendance 11
48v Power Supply donated by Sean�To be used for motors
28/4/24
Attendance 11
Control board to be mounted in cupboard under CNC to protect it from debris.
28/4/24
Attendance 11
RobB asked about a plan.
There is a project status spreadsheet you can take a look at.
For the last few weeks we have been concentrating on getting the frame/linear rails/ball screws assembled and at the same time starting on the Electronics section.�
You can update/add to the spreadsheet.
The spreadsheet has multiple tabs.On the left is the summary
Zoom 21/4/24
Laptop general view
Mobile Phone close up
Playing around trying to get
Zoom to be useful from Workshop.�
Audio issues not resolved but maybe we start the session with Zoom. 1-1.30
From Rob C
I took a picture of the (Chinese) label on the stepper motor today. Google allows you to translate Chinese to english. So below is what google created when i asked it to convert the picture text. Oh the EA- should be blue
RobC Control Panel 1 x 2
RobC Control Panel 2 x 2
21/4/24 Control Panel
Starting the layout of the Control Panel , following RobC’s template
21/4/24
John spotting / drilling / tapping 194 holes on the linear rails. He is 75% done spread over 3 sessions
Peter making sure John is horizontal. Phil is out of shot keeping an eye on vertical and applying pressure against John’s drilling
21/4/24
Gantry
Where we ended the session…
Gantry attached�Beginnings of the control panel�
Continuing next week where the first thing will be making a motor turn
Ran out of time this week.�
14/4/24 1pm - 4pm
Achieved today
Smoke Test with Mach 3 and one of the motors. It turned!!! :-)
Watch Video on next slide
Assembled
Next Week 21/4/24
Attendance 10
14/4/24 Watch the motor in action
40 sec video�
Mach3�Desktop
Parallel Breakout Board
Parallel
Motor Driver
MOTOR
Power Supply
20-50v
Power Supply
5v
Donated by RobC
If you like doing these types of diagrams, please reach out to cncproject@melbpc.org.au
Meeting 7/4/24
Today’s Goal - Get us in a position to be able to test comms/electronics
We need
USB Type a to Type A cable for 5v Power supply for mach3 breakout board. Dennis will bring next week.
We need more light in the workshop. Committee needs costings to approve
Catenary wire to hang more lights above workspaces in particular the west wall bench and the centre table�
Attendance 6
Zoom 1
Notes from 11/2/2024
Spindle:
Gantry stiffness:�See here for some reading - https://burksbuilds.com/automation/cnc-router/cnc-router-stiffness-analysis/ 1�How much weight our gantry can take is a question we have asked of the supplier. No answer (7/4/24)
7/4 JohnS - Build machine, get a spindle to suit the existing gantry
Motion Controllers:�Ethernet Smooth Stepper - SS-02 Ethernet SmoothStepper [SS-02] - AU$313.09 : Homann Designs!, Your preferred CNC Supplier 2�Ethernet Motion Controller And Breakout Board�AXBB-E Ethernet Motion Controller And Breakout Board Combined - Maker Store PTY LTD 1
7/4 Dennis - Use donated parallel port interface as supplied by Rob Conway for now
Carving software - Vcarve:�creating and cutting parts
7/4 Too soon for a decision on Vcarve software see next slide for details on Makerspace Licence
Vcarve Pro - Makerspace Edition
Added 5/4/24�Makerspace special edition US$99pa https://www.vectric.com/products/makerspace
VCarve Pro Makerspace Edition
When signing up these need to be checked