Thread: CNC Router with DC Spindle

Sorry but I would not recommend a home made machine without close ups. There are too many important components that need to be in alignment and of at least a certain quality before you have a good machine.
A couple of points on this machine is I would like to see the gantry sides a bit stronger and 0.3mm is not high accuracy for a CNC machine.
Best I can do.

Thanks for the info. It's hard to find good info on small cnc machines - a lot of sites want to sell you plans so don't want to give much away.

Hi b1ueshift

There is more information than anyone can absorb on the CNCZone forum.
www.CNCZone.com

I don't like taking people away from the Ubeaut Forum but there is not the interest on this forum yet to be able to gather enough information.
I keep trying to raise an interest here and that is why I start a CNC thread every now and again.

I have three detailed machine builds on CNCZone and five other Ubeaut forum members have machine builds on there as well so it is slowly gaining popularity. There are quite a few Australians on their Forum and they have set up an Austalian Clubhouse so you should feel at home.

On your first machine there is a lot to learn but it is not difficult. Go have a read of all the machine builds and I am sure you would be able to design your own. There are some free plans on there so look out for those. Jgro is a popular design and it is made from MDF. I spent many months reading threads before I made my first machine so be prepared to invest a lot of time gaining the knowledge.

If you want to send me a PM some time I am happy to discuss any details you might want.

Hi Rod,

can you please explain what is "Tower Pro 70A ESC"? Also I would like to know, that spindle, did you make it your self, did you buy it, or is someone making them at request? What software are you using to drive the router, and which operating system are you using? DOS interfaces easily to the outside world, but is getting a bit outdated. If you are using Windows, how do you interface the machine? I hope you don't mind answering all this questions. I started building router my self, the mechanics were not so bad, but I boged down at the choice of spindle, and the software. Mybe I may be able to finish it if I will get some advice. Thanks Ladislav

Ooo, and one more thing Rod, the X, Y and Z motors are they stepper motors, or DC servomotors. I used Baldor servomotors on X and Y, and a stepper motor from an old printer to drive the Z axis. Test runs using DOS computer and Baldor test program looked quite good. After I solve the problem with the spindle, and decide which software to use, I guess I will have a working CNC router too.

Bye Ladislav

Hi Ladislav
The Tower Pro thingo is the motor controller for a bruchless motor. This sort of electronics is a bit technical for me and a local electronics engineer put it all together for me. The spindle was purchased from USA on ebay.

Just to let you know the spindle was a failure as it didn't reduce noise much because as soon as you start cutting the noise is almost as bad as a small router. I am taking it off and putting on a variable speed 6mm collet die grinder. If you want something small maybe a Dremil?

I use Wondows XP and Mach3 software. The interface is throught the serial port (printer port) of the computer.

If you want to stay with Dos then TurboCNC is free and it is a very good and well proven software. It uses the serial port as well.

All my machines have Nema 23 stepper motors and Bi-polar driver boards that operate on step and direction commands.

Your machine sounds intereting and I would like to see some pictures of it.

Hi Rod,
Good to see that you are sharing so much. Your keen interest has been inspiring me. I have been researching on and off the last few months the possibilties of building my own table too. working areas X-1250 Y-650 Z-200. I'm still in drafting stage at the moment but i have been researching costs so i thought i'd list a few (Australian and international) suppliers to save everyone doing the runaround (remember eBay is your friend).
Blackwoods AU - Acme lead screw 5/8 3mt Approx $150
Nuts $16ea (not anti-backlash. still waiting for quote, definitly available international anyway)
Steelmark AU - Precision Ground Hardened steel rod 38.1mm 6mt $135 (not sure if this is right hardness yet M1030)
eBay VXB Bearings - Linear Bushings/Bearings Best price i could find (eg $10au per bearing compared to Local australian average price of $160 :eek:.
Local Aluminium Supplier _ Aluminium extrusions are as cheap as chips. Pay a bit more and you can get stuff that just bolts together.
Local electronics - Limit switches etc.
Xylotex USA - Almost entire electrical componentry

That covers the hard parts anyway. Anymore suggestions Rod or anyone else? It'd be nice to keep all the buying in australia but some of the prices here are truly ridiculous.

I'd love to get Ballscrews but the budget cant quite take it.

Thanks for your post Esmae

The acme thread is very expensive in Australia and those nuts are just normal hex nuts with an Acme thread for $16.00 each. You can buy all this ex USA, pay air freight and save heaps on the Australian prices.

I can't get over the prices Australian business charge and either they are very inefficient, there are too many bleeders sucking off business or they want to retire early so I will not support them when their pricing is outrageous. They must think they have a captive market but with the internet they need to wake up. Rant over.

Try here for Delrin anti-backlash nuts.
http://www.dumpstercnc.com/

Try here for reasonably priced ballscrews and stepper motors.
http://www.homeshopcnc.com/

Xyolotex is a good product and very good support. I have two of his boards and power supplies.
http://www.xylotex.com
If you are keen and can put together a PCB then Hobby CNC or locally the Oatley boards are worth a look.

Try here for stepper Motors - ex factory in China and will supply to individuals. ($18.00 US each for 276 oz Nema 23)
http://www.ms-motor.com/HB1.htm

I also use VXB for bearings
http://www.vxb.com
I had twenty metric angular and deep groove bearings delivered in 5 days for freight charge of $11.00 US and saved about $300 on the bearing compared to sourcing them in Australia. This is a good example of what I was saying above about Australian Suppliers.
I use standard micro switches for limit switches and source them from Dick Smiths.

Aluminum is expensive when you use 10mm plate like I do as it sells for $12.00 to $16.00 a kg. Worth ringing around.

There is probably a few I have missed so if you need anything specific get in touch.