Thread: 3040 CNC router??

400W is plenty for 3mm MDF, even 6mm in one pass is fine (depending on what size bit you use)
Autocad won't talk to the machine, you'll need another program to convert the dxf files to machine instructions

As mentioned, a lot depends on how big a cut you're taking, but I'd assume you'd be wanting to use a reasonably thin endmill to minimise wastage. You need an application like Vectric Cut2D to import the DXFs, lay them out and then generate the cutting paths in Gcode that Mach3 or whatever is driving the CNC can read.

Thanks for the information, hopefully this'll save some time standing at the scroll saw, at least all the components will be the same (hopefully). I plan on using something like a 1.6 - 2 mm cutter.
I looked up the website for the Vectric Cut2D and am quite amazed at it, is it reasonably easy to learn? I find learning now days a bit harder than it used to be.
Kryn

Hi,

The CNC 3040 is a robust little machine by itself, but some problems have been reported:

- some users have had to lubricate the guide rods and ballscrews to eliminate uneven traverse and stiction.

-some users have reported problems with lost steps in the positioning, especially the X axis. This is reportedly fixed by adding grounded capacitors from the power supply rail to the motor driver ICs. Details are on the net.

- it is unclear how many instances of the above 2 problems were due merely to loose clamp screws at either end of the flex coupling between the motor shaft and the ballscrew end. Certainly in my case the ball nuts and linear bearings did look under-lubricated.

- the supplied user manual is atrocious for an English speaking market, but there is a lot of info on the net.

- the machine is usually supplied with a copy of Mach3 software, which is a widely used CNC control software running on a PC, which then acts as the CNC 3040 control panel. This software only accepts G Code. It is quite good, and more powerful than the CNC3040 requires, however......

- the Mach3 copy supplied on disk is likely to be a pirated unlicensed copy, which robs you of tech support and perhaps some functionality, depending. Therefore make sure you are getting a genuine licensed copy, or buy it online yourself.

- because you have to generate G Code, you need CADCAM software like Vectric or CamBam. More money.

- many of the CNC3040's offered for sale have a power supply unit which only interfaces reliably with Mach3 through a DB25 parallel port (yep, vintage stuff), and ideally, Win XP !!. You may therefore want to enquire about a unit which will reliably run via a USB interface and at least Win 7. They do exist.

Once running it is a lot of fun.

Cheers

Thanks for that info Geoff. I know I have to get Vectric, I think from memory about $180, hopefully not a yearly renewable thing. I do run a computer with XP, basically the only thing I use it for now days is to run Autocad 2000 I think it is, fairly old now from about 2002. Not sure if the comp has the DB25 port, I think I bought the comp in about '97 or there abouts. So one would think it has one being of that vintage. It has a couple of ports that the Printer and monitor plug into, so hopefully it's the printer one.
How do you know if you got a licensed copy of Mach3? I looked up the website for it and couldn't find anything on pricing to know what I'd be up for?

Regards
Kryn

Hi Kryn,

Mach3 when they sell a license send you an encrypted license file, with your nominated owner name in it. You put that in the Mach3 folder in the PC, and when you click on 'Help - About' you see that owner name in the pop-up. So it is already a bit difficult for the CNC 3040 vendor to have your name in the license, unless a proper third-party dealer for Mach3 as well.

If it is a pirated copy you will see in the pop-up a gibberish string of characters. In my case this was 'MaoA˜A ¯Ðtonar'. The license for Mach3 costs US$175, and if you are an educational user you can apply to them for a discount.

The Mach3 disk usually comes with the software 'LazyCam' which was projected to be a competitor for Vectric and CamBam etc. Development has been abandoned though, and its capabilities are limited, although it will produce G Code.

Cheers

Thanks for the help and info Geoff, will see what happens next year when I've got the machine.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Kryn