CNC Router
Description
We currently have a under construction C BEAM based CNC Mill. The mill took its first cut on 20/02/2016.
The CNC Mill is based on the C BEAM profile from open builds, it is currently a X/Y table type "C BEAM MACHINE" thats 400x400x120mm but we have all the parts to make it a 1000x750mm gantry style ASAP.
To use the machine you have to be inducted; it is also a numerically controlled power tool with a variable Z and so considerable care should be taken in preparation and operation.
Specifications
- 800W water cooled spindle 220V 6.5A with ER11 collet
- 1.5kw VFD capable of 3000-23000 rpm
- 3.2Mn NEMA 23 steppers
- 20V 4 A power supply
- 2.5A Stepper drivers
- Control via GRBL running on a arduino CNC sheild
- Raspberry PI serial to JSON server making the CNC shield available on chillipeppr.com when at the space.
- 400x400x120mm workspace
- No load max feed of 5000mm/min
Configuration
The CNC uses G code parsed by GRBL. Send the command $$ to GRBL to read the current configuration.
- steps/mm (all axis) = 100
- Accel X
- Accel Y
- Accel Z
- Max Rate X
- Max Rate Y
- Max Rate Z
The spindle is controlled by a VFD. The current configuration settings can be found on the VFD page.
Pledges
A pledge tracker can be found on this google sheet [1]
Design
The first machine is a 'out of the box' C Beam Machine kit [2]. This is a X/Y table machine based on the C Beam aluminum profile which offers better stability and accuracy than OX type v slot or shapeoko.
This kit will be used to make the plates for its own upgrades into our specific 1000mm x 750mm gantry style machine with dual X drive based on this design. [3]
Parts Status
We have purchased the majority of parts from Colin at robocutters.co.uk[4], he offered a wealth of advice, a great discount and is genuinely interested in supporting Hackspaces.
- A C Beam machine kit
- 3 NEMA 23 Motors
- 1 1000mm linear actuator kit
- 1 750mm linear actuator kit
- 4 750mm 60 aluminium profiles
- 16 wheel kits
From China we ordered as a kit:
- 800W 60mm mount water cooled spindle
- 1.5kW VFD
- 12 VPump
- Various collets
From other sources:
- 6 C.P type limit switches (swwils)
- Radiator (swwils)
- 4 Core spindle cable (swwils)
- RUMBA Board + Drivers (Martyn)
- E-stop (Aidan)
- Arduino CNC sheild (swwils)
- Arduino UNO (swwils)
- 36v 10A PSU (Aidan)
Parts needed:
- 4 core shielded flexible stepper motor cable (length for larger machine)
- cable chains (larger machine)
- Regular stop / go button
Build
- First cut occurred
- Limit switches installed.
- Hard limits set
- Soft limits set (but broken!)
- Dir inversion issues (0,0 should be lower left?)
Software Proposals
GRBL vs TINYG [5]
CAM [6]