This is my first CNC build, and while there have been a few bumps along the way, I have enjoyed it immensely!
The initial build took a little over a week, with the build video by Openbuilds providing a very useful reference. The only real issue I encountered was a stepper motor wire color difference versus the video.
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Following the advice I found online, the first test of the CNC were done with a pen, rather than a router. I found a pen holder design which I modified to attach to the front of the router fixture, and issued the obligatory "hello world"!
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I spent the next few weeks working on vacuum based spoiler boards, as my first projects require a full profile route, so clamp based hold down is sub optimal. I started with a shop-vac powered setup to hold the work piece down during hardwood routing, but even with a two stage vacuum configuration, the work piece still broke free sometimes. In the end, I switched to a vacuum pump arrangement, which has worked more consistently.
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Fusion 360 was the work horse for the design of the vacuum spoil boards and projects, as well as CAM and tool paths. I started my laser engraving efforts using Inkscape for design and G code generation, but have moved to Lightburn (yes, you have to pay $) and would not consider going back. UGS is my primarily G code sender, with Joy2Key to enable a USB game controller for jog control. I did develop a handful of Python scripts to deal with some G code issues between Fusion/Inkscape and UGS - nothing too exotic, but too much to deal with manually. Another script was required to translate the G code X-axis to Z-axis, so that an image can be applied to the edge of a work piece. In the process, I did stumble across a UGS bug in visualizing G2/G3 moves in the Z plane, but was able to get the CNC to do the right thing, so it was more of an annoyance than anything.
A laser was mounted adjacent to the router to allow engraving/cutting, and a prism attachment developed to allow the laser to engrave the side of work pieces. I also added air assist using a fish aquarium pump and some fluid flex pipe, which I have found to enable a more consistant result. So far, the laser setup has yielded pretty impressive results.
Here is a link to the 3D printer model of the laser adapter: Workbee CNC/Endurance Laser Adapter by dustnnotes
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I have been using a second dust shoe attachment to remove smoke during a laser operation, using the filtration of the dust collection system to provide a coarse level smoke particle removal. My most common mistake is to have some issue in the alignment of the job coordinates with the machine coordinates. So with a Python script, I have added a "marker" header to the beginning of the laser engraving G code so you can see where the image will be engraved - saves on wasting material.
There were a few more additions, including mounting an USB endoscope camera on a flexible fluid pipe, and inserting it through hole in the dust shoe to monitor the router in action. I have found this a valuable tool in monitoring the job progress, and in providing an early warning when things are going sideways before too much damage is done.
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I also purchased an XYZ probe from eBay, and wrote the macros to automate work piece location on the machine - a necessary step to remove the tedious manual alternative. Highly recommended.
This year, for our annual Super Bowl Squares game poster, I used the CNC as a basic plotter. I went back and used the pen adapter equipped with a sharpie, and wrote a quick python script to lift and lower the pen whenever the bit Z height went through 0. With more time, I am sure I could improve the resulting image, but it served it's purpose here, just fine.
I have implemented a grid hold-down spoil board system, dual air assist and explored a number of fixture solutions for projects that appear in the video, but I have not yet described in detail here - a project for another day.
To be honest, I have achieved a bit more success than I envisioned, and am look forward to building on my budding CNC usage repertoire.
Workbee CNC Router/Laser/Plotter
Build in 'X/Y Table Style CNC Mill' published by Leonard Cross, Jan 31, 2022.
A CNC machine with an expansive 30x30" work area, supporing a router, laser, simple plotting and work monitoring camera. Control includes a tethered control box, game controller style jog control, and relay controlled AC outlets for all appliances. Accessories include a 3D printed dust shoe, a complete spoilboard and hold down system, an XYZ touch probe and multiple vacuum retention boards to support full profile routing.
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- Build Progress:
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- Build Complete!
Attached Files:
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Special Notes
Key learning's:
- With CNC machines, safety is a thing. I implemented a tethered control box with emergency stop that removes the power to the CNC controller/steppers, and a switch to control power to the laser. When you are learning the machine, it does things you don't intend, and being able to stop it, like now, is something I use almost every day.
- Wire color can differ on stepper motors, check the winding connection as part of the wiring process
- Axis limit switches are a cheap way to protect your machine. Put one at each end of each axis : I have unintentionally tested every one of my limit switches
- Keep a few spare lead screw couplers around. Experience shows this is the first thing to fail if you ask your machine to go beyond it's physical work space
- Pay special attention to tightening the set screws on your lead screw couplers, especially the Z-axis. It took me awhile to figure out why I had Z-axis drift, and loose set screws was the root cause
- Speeds and feeds can be a challenge to figure out. A few data point from my travels:
- Maple (Hardwood) :
. - Rough pass : Router RPM ~16000 (Slowest setting on DeWalt 611), feed rate of 2000mm/min
. - Finish pass : Router RPM ~16000 (Slowest setting on DeWalt 611), feed rate of 500-700mm/min
- Laser engraving :
. -As my laser is only 5W, I have found it best to run the laser at full power, and adjust feed rate to control burn. Speeds range from 1500mm/min (light shade) to 250mm/min (some charring expected)
- I have since upgraded to a 10W laser, and with the added power, end up running it around 60% power at ~1100mm/min. This varies based on material of course.
Johnskis, Dave Medvitz, Brendan Kennedy and 38 others like this. -
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Build Author Leonard Cross, Find all builds by Leonard Cross
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Build Details
- Build License:
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- CC - Attribution NonCommercial - Share Alike - CC BY NC SA
Reason for this Build
Learn about CNC hardware and software and augment my maker skills -
Parts list
Qty Part Name Part Link Comments 1 Openbuilds Workbee 1010 https://openbuilds.com/builds/openbuilds-workbee-1010.7198/ Link Great machine for the price! 1 DeWalt 611 Router https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWP611-Torque-Variable-Comp... Link I would like lower RPM options - would look at the Makita RT0701 1 Endurance 10W+ Laser https://endurancelasers.com/diode-lasers/10watt-endurance... Link I started with the 5.6W version, but upgraded just a few months later. More is better! 1 Openbuilds Workbee wiring kit https://openbuildspartstore.com/wiring-kit-openbuilds-wor... Link 1 3D printed Router dust shoe https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1243484 Link 1 CNC Corner Zero finder/Touch Plate/Edge Finder/XYZ https://www.ebay.com/itm/CNC-Corner-Zero-finder-Touch-Pla... Link Have gotten my $$$ worth on this one 1 Round Nozzle 1/4PT Flexible Oil Coolant Pipe Hose https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071JQ38N5/ref=oh_aui_d... Link Used to position the endoscope camera and for dual air assist 1 USB Endoscope camera https://www.amazon.com/DEPSTECH-Semi-rigid-Inspection-Wat... Link Use it every time I route! 0 Link 0 Link 0 Link 0 Link 0 Link 0 Link