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      1. Build Progress:
        • Build Complete!
      Rate This Build
      4.5/5,
      2 votes
      January 31st, 2017:

      I've been thinking about taking on a project involving interfacing software to "real-life" things for some time. I was inspired by UGEARS products (Home | Ukrainian Bridge) and started looking at laser-cutters, which led me to 3D printers which then led me to selecting a CNC Mill for my first build. After doing some research, I decided to go with the C-Beam XL kit controlled via TinyG V8. I live on the east coast of Canada and it's difficult to source parts. Luckily, I found MakerParts (MakerParts.ca - Your Canadian Source for 3D Printer Parts & Filament) who were very helpful and offered excellent prices. Thanks @Makerparts

      I've never worked with Aluminium before and decided to use a mitre-saw with with one of these blades and a file... a lot. In hind sight the blade worked great and I should have trusted it more than my filing. Take your time truing up your saw. It will save you hours.
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      My cheap saw. It's pretty cheap.
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      I filed, then measured, then compared, then checked for squareness, then repeated. Over and over.. Protip: follow the build instructions and tape those buggers together. I didn't and spent extra hours getting everything ready. I'm not sure why my mind ignored that part. Maybe I was having a de-motivational beer. I only noticed it afterward.
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      I used a M5 drill-tap bit to tap everything. Just go slow and use some WD-40 to keep the bit clean and free of aluminum chips.
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      Filing nubs.
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      Built the mini-components. Thanks to @Moag for the awesome build guide. It was excellent. IMG_0189.jpg

      Here are a few pictures of assembly.
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      My Dewalt 611 arrived via Amazon.ca.
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      Building more mini-components. At this point I was feeling a lot like Lance Armstrong (I was missing one nut).
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      My advice for this stage is to not over-tighten the M5 screws. In my case, I had to fiddle with them a lot once they were on the machine. I like to over-tighten things... This caused me a few different problems through-out the build.
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      When reading online about adjusting the C-Beam actuator eccentric nuts, it seemed like a daunting task. It really wasn't all that bad. You just need to compromise a bit between the open and solid sides of the C-Beam and take @Moag's advice about marking the tight and loose sides of the e-nuts (new slang). I was glad that I didn't miss that step later on when re-adjusting things.
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      Picked up some 3/8", 6061 aluminium plate from Metal's R Us (Metals ‘R’ Us | Metal Shop Dartmouth | Home).
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      Assembled the X-axis actuator.
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      Attached the X-axis.
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      "Holy"
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      Y-axes assembly.
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      Filed off small areas to make space for the lock-collar set-screws.
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      Z-axis happiness:
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      Nevr-Dull! (and steppers attached)
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      Wiring time (I really need to buy a new soldiering iron).
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      But it works.. (on/off switch).
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      TinyG & 24volt power supply.
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      No smoke!
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      After testing the actuators, I had to take each one off and re-adjust the Acme-screw tension. I also used plumber's tape on the inside and outside of each bearing. I wanted to reduce the slop and noises coming from them. This worked very well. I also had to loosen my nut blocks up and reset them snug (without over-tightening them).
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      The actuators are working much better now!
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      Video of Y-axes working much better:


      Making brackets for limit/homing switches. I could really use a drill-press...
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      After installing all of the micro-switches, it was time to build a frame to support the drag-chain.
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      Installed. I'm not all that happy with having the the z-axis max limit/homing switch where it is.. I may change this.
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      On to the box that will house the electronics. I had some 3/4" MDF so went with that for the sides.
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      Holes for cables. Through out this build, I kept saying to myself, "Man, I need a drill press. This would be so much easier with a drill press."
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      Added some 60mm fans. (there's a 24volt, 80mm fan under the TinyG board as well).
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      Acrylic always makes everything look nicer (6mm).
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      Vents... Another drill-press worthy task! (I was pleased how this turned out considering it was done with a cordless drill).
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      Wiring.
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      Oooooo:
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      It's router time! @kylesmth was kind enough to 3D print a shim for me. It brought the mount's opening from 71mm to 69.25mm. After a little sanding, it all fit together very well. Thanks to @Jimmybuckets for the shim design (Router Mount Shim 69mm to 71mm ( 0penBuilds Colt to Dewalt Mount ) by JimmyBuckets)
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      Looking sharp! The spoiler board was made from some 3/4" MDF that I had on hand. I plan on making a new 1/2" one down the road. I also need to set up some kind of clamping system as well.
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      Testing.
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      Time for a test cut! The tricky part here is learning TinyG, GCode, Chillipepper and Fusion 360 simultaneously.
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      Update December 11th, 2017:

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      After a move and setting up a new wood shop, I plan on getting back to improving my machine. This past weekend, I decided to make some table saw push sticks. I used CNCJS to send the gcode this time and had much better results.

      Here is a short video showing some of the cutting.



      Also, here is an older testing video for those that are interested.



      Cheers. - Jamie

      Attached Files:

      1. Special Notes

        I will be updating the progress on here while drinking a cold one. Please excuse any non-sense.
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  • Build Details

    Build License:
    • CC - Attribution Share Alike - CC BY SA

    Reason for this Build

    I'm building this so that I can make a number of projects that I have in mind.

    Inspired by

    Moag's "C-Beam Machine XLarge" and Glenn Weston's "The Moagie Mill My C-Beam XLarge"
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