Thread: New Machine - Work in Progress

Brilliant as usual Rod

Hi Bob,
We do a lot of these little things in a machine build and I thought it might be worth sharing one of them.
Just because you asked before I have taken a video of it cutting so hopefully soon as I work out how to download moviemaker and post it on youtube you might get a glimpse of a half finished machine.
cheers,
Rod

Rod,
The panel looks great, but could you tell me what sort of sockets you are using? Don't the leads to the steppers need 4 wires, yet the sockets don't look big enough!
I am designing my control box for my Widgetmaster and I thought that I would have to use some sort of DIN 9 plug and socket.

Cheers,
Alan

Next two photos are the backing panel which was also cut with the CNC machine and the two bits together.

Hi Alan,
They are called mike plugs and have their origins from CB radios. I find them very good becuase they clamp the wires to the connectors and have a screw connector to hold the plug in the socket so you don't accidently pull the plug out - very important features for Xylotex dirves. They are quite large in comparison to DIN plugs and the hole in the panel is 16mm diam so that gives you an idea of size. They are also capable of carying a fair amperage so their is little loss through the connector.
They come in 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 wire configeration and I mix them up so there are no mis-wires. See photos and they are available from Altronics and Dick Smiths - look online.

Thanks Rod,
The panel looks great with its timber surround.

I found the plugs and sockets on Jaycar online and have placed my order.

Cheers,
Alan

Here's the video finally


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZOpKWCiQJY"]YouTube - CNC Gantry Router with Sherline Spindle[/ame]

Hi Rod's,

Well done thanks for the video

they look great

Hi Asuesue,
Thank you
Looks like you live in China. I get a lot of parts for my machine from China so you are lucky to have them local for you.

To update the progress we got stuck into the electrics this weekend and fitted the connector panel, energy chains and routed the wiring through these components. Also fitted handles for transporting.
The base is the next project for this machine and a console is being built in parallel.

Rod,
I am always impressed with the neatness of your work and your attention to detail ... this project reflects that as well. Keep up the good work as we all get lots of inspiration from your projects.

Regards,
Alan

I like the look of those hold down clamps.

Greg

Alan,
Have you got the Widgitmaster yet?

Greg,
The clamps are improving with each new machine. I have had some good feedback from Macca and have taken his comments on board.

Being a patient man that I am!!!
No, the unit has not arrived, but I do have some paperwork from Customs to say that it is in the country and because it cost over the magical $1,000, they have a large team of officials who are sitting down in a dark basement somewhere working out how much money they can extract from me!
I am building a control box along the lines of Geolt's that will sit under the WM and I should have that sort of finished today. I say 'sort of', because your really nice control panel inspired me, so am planning to use the WM to route both a front and back panel to fit a nice shiney aluminium control panel. So for the time being it will have wires and switches held up by sky hooks.

Cheers,
Alan