Welcome to Our Community

Some features disabled for guests. Register Today.

C-Beam™ Machine - Plate Maker

Discussion in 'CNC Mills/Routers' started by Mark Carew, Jul 16, 2015.

  1. Flash22

    Flash22 Well-Known
    Builder

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2015
    Messages:
    159
    Likes Received:
    42
    What amp/voltage psu are you running ? what spec are the steppers ?
     
  2. arc1979

    arc1979 New
    Builder

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2014
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Stargeezer, you are correct. The right side is opposite from the left. That is how it was shown in the C machine video.
    Flash22, I am using an OpenBuilds 24 volt power supply and Open builds Nema 23 steppers.

    I will try swapping to the 4th axis tonight and seeing if it works. Ill also research flashing the firmware.

    Thanks again for the suggestions!
     
  3. arc1979

    arc1979 New
    Builder

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2014
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Ok. New information. I took all of the connections loose and reattached everything making sure all connections were nice and snug. Now the Y moves less than 1/2" and then quits, thats it, no more. Still makes the single click sound after moving but with no movement after the initial movement. Seems like there is no logic behind the amount of movement. Sometimes it moves 1/2" then stops, sometimes less than a few mm.
     
  4. arc1979

    arc1979 New
    Builder

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2014
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    UPDATE. ITS THE BOARD! I moved my Y motor to the X connection and the X motor to the Y connection. Y motor works, X motor now does not... So, now to order another board and wait.

    Thanks
     
  5. motopreserve

    motopreserve Well-Known
    Builder

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2015
    Messages:
    127
    Likes Received:
    52
    Glad you got it sorted out. Hopefully they replace the board quick.
     
    arc1979 likes this.
  6. stargeezer

    stargeezer Journeyman
    Builder

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2015
    Messages:
    328
    Likes Received:
    117
    For a machine as simple as these are, when they don't work right it can seem like you are chase your tail. I'm sorry it's the board, but happy you got it sorted out. I hope the gods of shipping are on your side. And on the bright side, you now know almost every way there is to solve this kind of mystery. Learning never ends.
     
    arc1979 likes this.
  7. R_B

    R_B New
    Builder

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2015
    Messages:
    70
    Likes Received:
    12
    Is anyone else having problems with GrblPanel ?
    Mine will connect to the xPRO, read and modify settings, jog the motors, etc.
    What it will NOT do is to load a file for me to run, i.e. the file menu contains only an "Exit" item.
    I had tried the GrblPanel.application, that seems to go out onto the web looking for files and eventually tells me that the application could not be installed.
    So I am running the GrblPanel.exe directly.

    I suspect that the GrblPanel.application is what goes out and gets the menu items - just GUESSING here.
     
  8. Flash22

    Flash22 Well-Known
    Builder

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2015
    Messages:
    159
    Likes Received:
    42
    try the universalGcodeSender java app, I've had no issues at all with it, I'm just getting to grips with fusion360 what is free to the hobbyist
     
    Serge E. likes this.
  9. R_B

    R_B New
    Builder

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2015
    Messages:
    70
    Likes Received:
    12
    Thanks flash22, but I had trouble with that too.
    Despite java updates and removal of obsolete jre.

    ...and I thought the HARDWARE side of this was going to be tough, the software (for ME) shoulda been a breeze.
    I ain't a "mechanical guy", spent a LOT of technical years in the compooooter biz though.
     
  10. Flash22

    Flash22 Well-Known
    Builder

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2015
    Messages:
    159
    Likes Received:
    42
    I have had 2 versions of the code sender 1 worked the other didn't, the one in the software download didn't work for me

    The one on GitHub does tho, direct download http://bit.ly/1BSKon6
     
  11. Mauricio Solid

    Builder

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2015
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    12
    IMG_20150830_202107.jpg IMG_20150806_124808.jpg View attachment 10803
    You can use Bosh like the pictures, Dewalt and Porter Cable even Makita you only need to check the spindle diameter for the OB router mount, It's an awesome machine :)
    Ps. Double check if the router or spindle have speed control or variable speed, and use good quality router bits that's also very important not only the spindle IMG_20150905_120812.jpg
     
    #281 Mauricio Solid, Sep 5, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2015
  12. R_B

    R_B New
    Builder

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2015
    Messages:
    70
    Likes Received:
    12
    Thanks flash22, but I had trouble with that too.
    Despite java updates and removal of obsolete jre.

    ...and I thought the HARDWARE side of this was going to be tough, the software (for ME) shoulda been a breeze.
    I ain't a "mechanical guy", spent a LOT of technical years in the compooooter biz though.

    @Flash22;
    That version does work here, the version from the C_Beam files area did NOT.

    Thanks - now for a little "air milling", then maybe buy a router and get going on some foam Yoda heads or ,,,who knows ?
    Oh yes, plates, I will HAVE TO make some plates for something.
     
  13. charliex

    charliex New
    Builder

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2015
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    15
    So the flex Y gantry plate finally got to me and i redid it. I grabbed a linear rail i had lying around that was an ebay scratch, and chopped it in half luckily where the scratch was on the bearing race, so that part threw away, then i mounted the derlin nut to the back of my tool plate and attached the linear rail trucks on either side of the plate.


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    i do have to cut out some channels for the rear Y bearing plate to clear the tool plate.

    remarkably the linear rail+trucks were exactly the right height, so lucked out there. now it's pretty much rock solid.
     
    #283 charliex, Sep 6, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2015
    Fety Mann likes this.
  14. R_B

    R_B New
    Builder

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2015
    Messages:
    70
    Likes Received:
    12
    About Universal G-Code Sender;
    I think Mark made a comment in the video that it doesn't have a preview of the path that the tool will follow, I could be wrong about this.
    Anyway, there is a "Visualize" button and the view that comes up seems OK, it also updates as the file runs and the machine cuts.
    You can see both where the router is routing and where the buffer is leading (at least it SEEMS that the higher intensity bright line ahead of the tool probably represents what is in the buffer).

    I am starting to like this and right now I don't see a reason to use anything else - although I would like to get Estlcam running and of course the grbl-panel to load and run files.

    I'm still just "air milling" to check out the tools, so any problems of accuracy and precision have yet to reveal themselves (-:
     
  15. stargeezer

    stargeezer Journeyman
    Builder

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2015
    Messages:
    328
    Likes Received:
    117
    Hey Charlie. Are your pics super sized? I'm just getting a big blank square. Of course this might be win 10 issues to since I just upgraded this cpu.

    Thanks
    Larry
     
  16. Flash22

    Flash22 Well-Known
    Builder

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2015
    Messages:
    159
    Likes Received:
    42
    openscam is brilliant for simulating .cnc files

    Its been a steep learning curve but I got my first 2 cuts done yesterday - next up is a multi pass cut in some alloy
     
  17. charliex

    charliex New
    Builder

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2015
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    15
    hmm maybe ? , i linked them straight off the googles (cropped them a bit). they're on my HAD project log too which automatically resizes them a lot smaller and you can click them to expand etc, https://hackaday.io/project/6921-openbuilds-c-beam-machine-build/log/24737-adding-linear-rails

    i'm waiting for Service Pack 1 to come out for win10 ;)
     
    Fety Mann likes this.
  18. Flash22

    Flash22 Well-Known
    Builder

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2015
    Messages:
    159
    Likes Received:
    42
    There dead on your blog, looks like there set to private ??
     
  19. charliex

    charliex New
    Builder

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2015
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    15
    strange, google+ must have changed policy. i've been linking them link that for a while.

    ok fixed, guess i'll have to go back over all my posts n stuff and fix them. sigh punishment for using google+ i guess.

    thanks for pointing it out.
     
    #289 charliex, Sep 7, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2015
  20. arc1979

    arc1979 New
    Builder

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2014
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Unfortunely, I have not heard from the open builds parts store yet. I submitted a ticket Friday.
     
  21. motopreserve

    motopreserve Well-Known
    Builder

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2015
    Messages:
    127
    Likes Received:
    52
    Might be the backup due to the holiday. Maybe nudge them :)
     
  22. carbuthn

    carbuthn New
    Builder

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2015
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    4
    Charliex, nice job on the new Y work plate. I just got some aluminum in today, do you think that it is better to use 1/2" or 3/8" plate?
     
  23. charliex

    charliex New
    Builder

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2015
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    15
    thanks! 3/8" would be fine, i've been considering dropping the size down to get some more Z, same for the 1/2" MDF spoiler, my plan is to cheeseboard it and the tool plate and use that for work holding , carpet tape doesn't work that well on MDF i've found, at least the MDF i'm using it is too smooth. i was going to try 1/4".

    my other trucks should be here this week so i can do four corner holding instead of the middle. you can find nsk/thk useable linear rails for well under $100 on ebay.

    i'm considering chopping off tiny bit from the top of the Y C-Beam, or putting a slot in the tool plate for clearance, rather than spacers, i'm using about 0.025" - 0.05" spacer, so a slight extra gain on the Z if i don't use them.
     
    Fety Mann likes this.
  24. Flash22

    Flash22 Well-Known
    Builder

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2015
    Messages:
    159
    Likes Received:
    42
    charliex

    I like that idea it should take out any flex in the build plate, I was toying with using 2 Y axis C beam actuator
     
  25. David Hall

    Builder

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2015
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    I just finished putting my C-beam machine together and followed the 2 hour youtube tutorial meticulously. When I went to run the 'hello world' foam test, I followed the instructions and dropped the router bit down until it barely touched the top of my foam. When the program started it hovered above the foam by a few millimeters. Any idea where that setting is located? Also, is there a good software tutorial for newbies? Im using grbl panel and open S-cam
     
  26. charliex

    charliex New
    Builder

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2015
    Messages:
    30
    Likes Received:
    15
    added the other two trucks, using 075" precision spacer clears the Y C-Beam, but i still have to mill out a channel for the end plates.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Fety Mann likes this.
  27. Joe Santarsiero

    Joe Santarsiero OB addict
    Staff Member Moderator Builder

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2014
    Messages:
    902
    Likes Received:
    196
    That one wins "Most festive C-Beam machine"
    What currency is that Makita?
     
  28. R_B

    R_B New
    Builder

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2015
    Messages:
    70
    Likes Received:
    12
    I may lack some general workshop skills, or discipline, I am NOT much of a "mechanical guy".

    I haven't had much confidence that the general system of tee nuts and cast corners is good at pulling things together "tight and square" - lack of which will probably show at some point.
    Perhaps I'm over thinking this, or maybe some of you have a "feel" for just setting them in a tiny bit from the end of a section to make joints tighten up square automagically ?

    Today I came across this;

    {I like it}
    It may be proprietary, but it seems like an open source design could be developed that wouldn't infringe.
     
    #298 R_B, Sep 14, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2015
    Fety Mann likes this.
  29. Flash22

    Flash22 Well-Known
    Builder

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2015
    Messages:
    159
    Likes Received:
    42
    what cast corners do you have some are flat others have locating tabs these are fine when lining 2 channels that run the same direction but if you have one running horizontal and the other is vertical one side will sit in the rail but the tabs will push the other rail way out of square

    the answer is to file 2 of the tabs off, to pull the parts/rails in tight use a clamp then do up the bolts

    are you in the UK or US ?
     
  30. Rick 2.0

    Rick 2.0 OpenBuilds Team
    Staff Member Moderator Builder Resident Builder

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2013
    Messages:
    2,855
    Likes Received:
    1,525
    If you want to be able to draw up the connection, mount the cast corners to the intersecting piece first, setting them a fraction of a mm back from the end. This leaves a gap that will cinch the end of the intersecting member fully against main member.

    The problem with the system that you have shown is the small size of the V-slot makes that type of connection impractical. Due to the spring, at best you would only have a 3mm bolt through the intersection and a good chunk of that 3mm cross-section would be cut away for the locking bolt. As for whether someone could create an open source system of a similar nature, its already been done. Its called a cam-loc and while you could easily drill the cam-loc hole in the proper location, finding cam-locs in an M4 or M5 size may be a bit of a challenge.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice