Page 1 of 10 123456 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 143
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Strathalbyn South Australia
    Posts
    1,141

    Default Am I on the right track?

    I have been looking at CNC Machines online over the last few weeks and would like your feedback/ input.
    I make ukuleles and I am starting to get orders for them, I currently have five underway. I am looking at turning some of the hand work into automation via CNC such as headstock inlays and rosettes for sound holes to start with and then after getting the hang of it more complex work including fretboard radius and cutting and shaping necks.

    The main thing for me is fine tolerance, it’s critical with the kind of work I do.

    I have found there to not be many choices here in Aus for the price point I am looking at, nor a great deal of information or reviews of the equipment. I am probably missing something or don’t know where to look!

    The Maker store has the Lead 1000x1000 unit, they recommend the Blackbox Controller and 1.5kw Air cooled Spindle with VFD. The whole lot comes to around $2500 with a couple of other bits.
    Is this set up ok for what I want it to do?

    Then there is the software side of things, without costing the earth each year in licensing to run it. Is Fusion 360 ok? I can see it costs around $600/year and at the moment it’s half price for the year if you sign up before 17th of July. I have seen a couple of YouTube clips of people using it and it seems straight forward enough.

    I have a background in photography and know how photoshop and illustrator run, I know that CAD software is different but I think I could get the hang of it.

    Do I need any other program to run between a program like Fusion and the CNC? Am I barking up the wrong tree? Is there something else that I should look at instead of what I have mentioned?

    Hoping Eric and Andrew may chime in as I’m aware of both of your recent experience with CNC and CAD/CAM

    Cheers Cal

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    45
    Posts
    209

    Default

    Hi Cal,

    I've since had to move to Sydney for work and sold my machine locally so I cannot show it to you or demonstrate its use.

    Far as I can tell most hobby units seem to have a precision of about 0.1mm, lead screw units are a little better but for your proposed use case I see no issue with a belt drive as you are profile cutting some relatively thin material.

    The Lead unit from the Maker store looks fine, you will get a higher precision but slower unit. The one I had, xyz-carve goes for about $1,800 now excl waste board and uses a retail 700W plunge router as a spindle. Worked fine for relatively light duty stuff and I'd absolutely get another. I sold it rather than transport it because I don't trust removalists to transport delicate stuff without breaking/bending it.

    Workflow is very important and you will need to experiment to see what works. Your steps to cut generally go like this:

    Generate vectors/3d models - Generate G-Code - Send G-Code to Machine.

    Each step can consist of 1 or more items of software, some software can do several steps.

    Generate vectors/3d models

    You can generate vector type file using whatever you like, including illustrator for profile work. You can also generate 3d models, stl or similar to do more 3d work.
    Free stuff that works is Inkscape or Fusion360 with a startup license.
    Vectric Aspire works for this as well and looks really good, just expensive.

    Generate G-Code
    Inkscape has a gcode plugin and would be sufficient for profile work.
    Fusion360 comes with CAM capability. I'd think this is your best bet.
    Vectric Aspire again.
    It can get tricky as you need to know a few things about your machine to export the right g-code.

    Send G-Code to Machine
    I used Universal Gcode Sender to stream the info from the computer to the router, this will change depending on the controller you use.
    The blackbox unit looks fine to me and looks like it uses Openbuilds Control software. I am sure it will work ok and looks like a similar program to UGS.
    There are others I am sure but I never explored past the free stuff.

    Other Considerations
    Large is good, but will be less stiff. Not a real problem to cut wood if you are not too aggressive. Avoid machining metals regularly.
    Mount it to a stiff workbench to assist.
    Read this for setup stuff, invaluable and all very important for a properly configured machine. The site also has lots of other excellent stuff.
    Squaring, surfacing, tramming - Shapeoko CNC A to Z
    I used a simulator CAMOTICS to test my g-code, invaluable for identifying mistakes.
    Hook it up to your vac system and buy a shoe for it to contain dust.

    Hope this gives you some more stuff to go on with and I will, once I get a shed again be looking to make something nice out of those lovely bits of wood you gave me during the get together the other year.

    Happy to try to answer any questions you have.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Aldinga Beach
    Posts
    478

    Default

    Cal...exciting stuff using a cnc router. The guy who bought my machine makes guitars that look like vintage cars....he sells them all over the world. So using a quality cnc is crucial.
    Problem is you pay for what you get...What size bed/work area do you require?

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Strathalbyn South Australia
    Posts
    1,141

    Default

    Wow! Thank you gentlemen

    Andrew, I saw that you moved to Sydney! No mean feat I’m sure. Hope you have settled in well! Thank you for your reply also. I had a look at the xyz-carve and I think I like the idea of the Lead unit due to thicker material used in construction, the lead screw also adds to the precision (I know I’m fussy)
    I’m really paining about using computers again, the shed is wonderful without it!
    Fusion seems to be the way to go with CAM capability.
    I will ensure that I build a suitable work surface for the CNC to sit on, 1mtr square should be ok to deal with.
    Yep the shoe is a must, have a vac in the extractor shed too!

    Thanks for your reply

    Eric, I didn’t know you sold your CNC! I remember you showing me pics of that guys guitars. Wonderful stuff!

    The bed is 1mtr square, I think I can get it all level at that size and lead screw not belt.

    Are you building another one??

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Aldinga Beach
    Posts
    478

    Default

    You really should try an get something with ball screws. I am buying my 6040 back for now...need it to develop my 5 axis cnc driver unit. So for now i am doing electronic development for cnc. Maybe later buil a big machine. We also renovating a new property atm

  7. #6
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    45
    Posts
    209

    Default

    No problem Cal, been meaning to write this stuff down for a while so I don't forget it.

    if you have the money you could do a lot worse than the lead screw unit.

    I won't be getting too hung up on belt vs screw myself when I get my next machine.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    39

    Default

    To drive the xyz-carve in the workshop i.e. run the G-Code, I just use a Rasberry Pi 4 running UGS. The Rasbery Pi is in an aluminum case so I just have passive cooling which reduces any issues with dust. Monitor is a different problem however it is possible to KVM to the Pi remotely as I do have an ethernet point in the workshop.

    The CAD/CAM work is done on my desktop in the house.
    Last edited by MrSlow; 13th July 2020 at 02:35 PM. Reason: clarity

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Strathalbyn South Australia
    Posts
    1,141

    Default

    Thanks Eric, the Lead unit is lead screw and the improved tolerance over belt was why I was going down that path.

    Andrew, thank you again.

    I think that this information has cemented my choice, they are out of stock at the moment but due in this month so fingers crossed I will have it in August.

    MrSlow, thank you too! I thought about running an extra conduit to the shed when I was building it and then decided not to. Hindsight is a wonderful thing! I have a Mac Mini that I may end up sticking in the shed with a monitor, or use a laptop. I have a good dust extraction setup and I may end up making a booth for the whole unit too. I don’t think I’m savvy enough with technology anymore to go down the path of setting up my own control system for it.
    I’m hoping my 14 year old son will help me out with the technology a little

  10. #9
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    45
    Posts
    209

    Default

    I ran a fanless second hand netbook I bought for $100 with windows 10 that connected to the house wifi. A simple shared folder setup on the laptop allowed me to transfer the gcode with no issues and if all else fails there was usb.
    The netbook streamed to the router controller and never gave me a problem.
    The hardest part was remembering how to set up virtual serial port baud rates and google helped there.

    I did try linux and got it working but I was never comfortable with that OS.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Aldinga Beach
    Posts
    478

    Default

    Glad you found something that suits your needs
    If you need any assistance let me know...

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    lower eyre peninsular
    Age
    74
    Posts
    3,577

    Default

    Cal, go on Facebook type in SANE makerspace, its a community workshop Armiger Crt Holden Hill, (take a packed lunch for your drive.
    They have everything you can either visit to see what they provide or pay $19 week membership and almost live there. They have CNC machines, vinyl cutters, laser cutters woodwork machinery, metalworl/welding...you name it.
    I would love to grow my own food, but I can not find bacon seeds

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Strathalbyn South Australia
    Posts
    1,141

    Default

    Thanks Tony,
    After getting up for work at 2:30am during the week and travelling 70kms a day to get there and back, I would rather spend the time in my own shed than travel elsewhere to use someone else’s machine.
    I do have an option to use another machine but would rather keep it in house if I can.
    Thank you for your idea though!

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    lower eyre peninsular
    Age
    74
    Posts
    3,577

    Default

    Ha I keep forgetting Adelaidians still thick twice about distance. I used to be the same when I lived there, now pfft Lincoln -Adelaide <800k nothing to it.

    No troubles though, just thought they might advise you better, but it sounds as your under control. show us the results...
    I would love to grow my own food, but I can not find bacon seeds

  15. #14
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Melb
    Posts
    1,542

    Default

    Hi Cal, getting into CNC is a slippery slope, it's very hard to not go all in once started.

    That Makers one looks reasonable value, it should do what you'd want. Things I would definitely recommend though, go for the VFD and ideally a water cooled spindle over a router or air cooled spindle. Routers and trimmers do not last in CNC machines. You'd also need pretty good dust extraction so the rails and bearings don't gum up with this machine.

    For designing and G-code generation Vectric Vcarve would probably be perfect for you, another 2.5D packaged that is quite cheap and very good is EstlCam, I'd highly recommend checking it out.

    For the machine control I'm assuming the machine comes with Mach3? This is a one off $175 if it doesn't, or you could try LinuxCNC which is a free Linux based OS, but if you've never used Linux I don't know if I'd recommend it, running into a problem could prove quite difficult to fix for some.

    A second hand Chinese 6040 would be an ideal machine if you can find one, these are actually quite well made and the better ones come with a spindle and VFD.

    cheers, Ian

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Aldinga Beach
    Posts
    478

    Default

    Cal, have you now bought a machine?

Page 1 of 10 123456 ... LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •