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C-Beam cnc

Discussion in 'CNC Mills/Routers' started by Kyo, Jun 24, 2016.

  1. Tom C

    Tom C New
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    Steve,

    When mounted, the Z-axis c-beam is no lower than the bottom of the X-axis plates. So, it doesn't appear to limit the part height any more than the X-axis would. Would your modification change the height of the bottom of the X-axis plate?

    Tom
     
  2. Tmoguy

    Tmoguy New
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    Tom,

    You are correct...

    The height is limited to the height of the x axis. I was confused in my explanation. It would actually be the clearance or how far down the Z would travel. With the router being linear and c-beam being stationary, the router will only go as far down as the c-beam is set. If I make the c-beam linear and the router stationary, then the router can be moved up and down the entire distance from the x axis to the spoil board.

    Does that make sense?

    upload_2017-6-28_10-26-31.png

    The above picture, the router will only move down as far as the end of the c-beam.

    [​IMG]

    This picture, the router is fixed to the c-beam and will move down as far as you have length on the Y axis. Your height will still be limited by the height of you x axis.
     
  3. Tom C

    Tom C New
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    Tmoguy,

    Ah, yes. That makes sense. That will allow the tool to reach lower toward the base. You can then use a thinner spoil board and machine taller parts.

    I've used a spindle with my setup. The cylindrical housing of the spindle allows me to position it low enough in the mount that the tool can reach the base frame, if I should ever need to.

    And sorry, I should have addressed the previous post to you, but you figured that out. ;)

    Tom
     
  4. CRG Au

    CRG Au New
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    Tmoguy,

    Forgive my if I'm not understanding you correctly but I think I have a similar issue. I was going to investigate using 2 of the front X Axis Ox plates? You may loose a little travel on the X-axis though so may not be ideal.
     
  5. Ryhan

    Ryhan New
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    can't wait to get started on this, glad I stumbled across this group!
     
    Kyo likes this.
  6. Nels

    Nels New
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    Does anyone have a pdf file for the tall version 2 plates? ( the Y side plates)
     
  7. theivory

    theivory New
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    Hi everyone,

    This is my first post :D

    I am trying to build the Sphinx CNC and when analizing the files a question comes to my mind concerning the y_axis motor mount plates,

    i downloaded the dxf and the stl files and looks like the size of the holes for the nema motors have 4.2mm of diameter instead of 5mm. Is that correct? Did I downloaded the wrong files?

    Thanks for your support

    Best regards

    Captura.PNG
     
  8. Nels

    Nels New
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    I was wondering the same thing. The mounting motor bolts are 5mm.
     
  9. Rick 2.0

    Rick 2.0 OpenBuilds Team
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    4.2mm would generally be indicative of an M5 tapped hole.

    [​IMG]
    (photo credit: Kyo)
     
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  10. theivory

    theivory New
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    Wops Rick, of course you are right!!!

    Thank you very much!
     
  11. SamKircher

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    Hey guys, I am planning on doing a Sphinx XL build. I am sorted mechanically, but electronically, I would have no idea where to start. Can anyone point me in the right direction? The setup for this build seems perfect for what I would want, I am just confused as to what power supply and controllers I should use. Cheers, Sam.
     
  12. Kyo

    Kyo Veteran
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    Hello Sam,
    If you download the B.O.M from the files tab. I provide three different options for electronics / controllers / motors / power supplies / ect. I have used at one time or another all three of the options I have outlined and any should serve you well. Being grbl based systems there will be a lot of knowledgeable help no matter your choice. :thumbsup:
     
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  13. SamKircher

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    Thanks Kyo, after I did some more reading I think I will go with the same setup you did for this build, minus the raspberry pi as I have a spare laptop (and only want to learn one thing at a time). Is the single power supply enough or would there be an advantage in getting a separate 48v one for the steppers?
     
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  14. Poerdustin

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    I am also looking to build a sphinx xl 1000x1000. The z axis is throwing me. I see beardy used a lead screw instead of belt in the pics. I would also like to do this but cant seem to find a bom with a z axis lead screw or what would be the correct length of c beam height on the z axis..does this depend on spindle choice and would a nema 23 ht be to much up top?
     
  15. Steve Nall

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    I ordered a 500mm with the bracket and belt so the stepper will not be sticking up from the beam. I figured, when I get it together and see how long it needs to be, I can cut it.
     
  16. Poerdustin

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    Gotcha..i dont mind the motor sticking up from the top really. I would like to use a lead screw setup instead of a belt. I mainly plan on woodworking but would also do some smaller alluminum projects. I am not opposed to the belt drive just kinda looking for some info on which would be better. Also wondering if the nema 23 high t series would be ideal on the z?
     
  17. Poerdustin

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    So after more research i am taking it you can mount the motor directly on top to the lead screw or behind with the belt. The belt mount gives you more tourque then a straight motor mount..is this correct? Is this just for lifting of the spindle or does it apply to the work quality as well?
     
  18. SamKircher

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    So close to getting my build done and running, just cant get bCNC to connect to the phoenix cnc controller. It simply wont show up in the serial ports. Any Ideas?
     
  19. Kyo

    Kyo Veteran
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    Poerdustin: Yes you can mount the Z-axis motor directly on top. You will need a coupler , aluminum spacers and a couple extra M5 bolts to mount it all together. For a closer look at this you can review the Z-axis on the C-beam Plate Maker build. My main purpose for using the belt drive was clearance and space savings. It originally offered a reduction 2:1 however the current belt / pulley combo for this setup is a 1:1.

    Samkircher: Nice, Looking forward to seeing your build :thumbsup:
    What OS? Are you on the newest release of Bcnc? Make sure you have the correct usb driver for your OS as well. Also make sure you are using the same version of Python and Pyserial (2.7 works great for me) some versions of python and pyserial are not supported from my understanding.. I only have access to Windows 7 and Linux Distros. However the Phoenix board has always communicated correctly in Bcnc for me. If after updating everything and you still have problems. Shoot Hayri a msg. on Tindie I have found him quick to respond in the past.
     
  20. SamKircher

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    Thanks Kyo! I have posted a lot of my build so far.

    I am in touch with Hayri right now, trying to figure it out. I am running Python 3.3 and Pyserial 2.7 as recommended. Something funny is happening, as bCNC is showing "not connected" but says it is connected when you click on it. Also nothing shows up in the DRO. I have read that other people have had similar issues in the past, which they fixed by going back to grbl 0.9j rather than 1.1. But others have had no issues at all.

    Edit: I am running windows 7 and I believe the latest version of bCNC. Kind of wishing I had just bought a raspberry pi and gone your route
     
    #410 SamKircher, Aug 30, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2017
  21. Kyo

    Kyo Veteran
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    No problem, Just caught up on reading your build, it is looking good ! The built in vacuum table is a cool Idea and I bet will be very handy... :thumbsup:

    Try running both Python and Pyserial 2.7 I recall having some random problems (not really Bcnc related) when running different version of python and pyserial ( such as 3.3 with 2.7 ) on my Windows 7 machine..

    Is this isolated to only Bcnc? How does UGS run? Wondering if it is a board/usb problem or software.. Does it still show "not connected" if you change the controller option in Bcnc from grbl to grbl-V0 before connecting? Really wishing I still had a Phoenix board on hand to try and reproduce the problem. It is always difficult to diagnose when you don't have things in front of you.
     
    #411 Kyo, Aug 30, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2017
  22. SamKircher

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    Thanks! I also have a plan for a "vice" built into the front to clamp larger or odd shaped parts.

    I have just tried out 2.7 and 2.7 to see what happens. I also tried pressing the reset button as you said.

    Soooo... I have narrowed the issue slightly. bCNC is showing the exact same things whether the board is plugged in or not, which indicates to me that bCNC etc is not the issue here.
    To further support this, Arduino IDE also shows the same error messages whether it is plugged in or not too.

    When I look in device manager, nothing shows up under com ports. The board shows up in other devices, but has an error symbol next to it. I am thinking it is missing some drivers or something.
     
  23. Kyo

    Kyo Veteran
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    Yeah I would agree that sounds like the driver is either not installed or the wrong driver is being used. Does his board still use the mcp2221? If so windows drivers can be found here. (MCP2200/MCP2221 Windows Driver & Installer) Within that zip will be the Driver Installation Tool. But double check with Hayri first on what usb chip he is currently using after a quick look at his current board it looks like he has changed to a smd usb chip since I last purchased my board.
     
  24. SamKircher

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    Haha, Hayri just sent me a link to that driver, I installed it and everything worked perfectly. Thanks Kyo!
    I learnt a lot I probably didn't need to know along the way, but we got there! Now just to wire up the steppers and the spindle and make some chips!
     
  25. CNCMD

    CNCMD Journeyman
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    Does anyone know the resulting working area of this exact build? I've been looking and looking but can't seem to find it. I'm working on a similar build and have been wondering.
     
  26. thmsclrk

    thmsclrk New
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    New to this forum, however I've been researching for quite a while.

    I'm tossing up between building a Sphinx and ordering a C-Beam Machine from Ooznest. I've never built one of these before, so the complete kit form of the Ooznest machine is reasonably enticing, however I much prefer the design of the Sphinx.

    I've got some questions (sorry if these have been answered, I tried looking!):
    - How much overlap is there between the C-Beam machine and the Sphinx? Would it be feasible to order a C-Beam machine kit, cut the plates required, and then deconstruct and reconstruct a Sphinx? (Obviously after ordering extra components ie extrusions, etc)
    - I'm less confident with electronics and again wouldn't mind an all-in-one kit. Would something like the X-Controller kit from Inventables solve the electronics side of the equation?

    Sorry for the reasonably basic questions, thanks for any responses!
     
  27. John Christian Lien

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    Hello!

    I was just wondering about something regarding the assemby video you have on youtube.. At the 1:11:42 mark when you are mounting the six wheel "thingy" to the z-axis with the 12 screws. Would'nt it be easier to just screw the plate (with 12 screws) on first, then assemble it with the wheels etc.?

    Untitled-2.jpg
     
  28. SCYBUCK

    SCYBUCK New
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    Master Kyo,
    As a grasshopper my questions are many. Your assembly video is very informative. The BOM is helpful to a newbie. One discrepancy that my mind has not resolved is the video shows a 40 tooth gear on the lead screw of the Z axis and the BOM shows a 20 tooth gear. Seeking confirmation that the 20 tooth gear is what is best in your opinion. Also, as I look at the "KYO Sphinx CNC 8 Plate set, V2" on eBay and compare it to the "2" Taller Kyo Sphinx CNC 4W-X 8 Plate Set, V2" and the "Ultimate 2" Taller Kyo Sphinx CNC 4W-X 10 Plate Set" I find myself seeking knowledge regarding what the "ultimate" gets me and what the extra 2" actually gets me w.r.t. spindle travel.

    Scybuck
    Atlanta, GA


     
  29. Kyo

    Kyo Veteran
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    Hello Scybuck,
    The pulley set I originally used in my build is no longer available (40T / 20T giving a 2:1 reduction). However the belt kit from the Parts store "Here" works perfect with the 20T pulley; we are no longer getting a gear reduction but this is not a problem for our application and is the current recommendation.

    With all the plates I see popping up on ebay , aliexpress, private sites. ect. I have not been able to keep up with all the different versions and mods. I myself do not provide plate sets. The plate set I recommend is of my original design and is Listed "Here"

    After a quick google for the "ultimate set" I found this listed "Here". I see it is a new revision from Chris. I have not used this plate set myself. However from a quick review of the posted photos it would appear you are getting a new Z/X-axis design that offers more wheel mounting options. The closest build I have seen with this style of plates would be "Michael" and would be worth a look. In order to properly use the extra 2" taller plates ( not my mod) you will also need a longer z-axis piece of c-beam. I would limit the taller plate set build to foam , wood, plastics ect. The original build was designed with aluminium and hardwoods in mind and uses a low center of gravity ( shorter plates) to keep things rigid.

    While no ETA or further details are available yet. a sphinx kit is in the works. ;) This will greatly reduce the amount of confusion with all the plate options and misc parts one must track down. Until then following the b.o.m and running a known plate set will offer the best build experience :thumbsup:.
     
    #419 Kyo, Sep 21, 2017
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2017
  30. SCYBUCK

    SCYBUCK New
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    Thank you Master Kyo for sharing that wisdom. As I consider the major elements of my first CDC build, I now consider the spindle. Surely the machine should mill 6061 aluminum and various wood with good accuracy and finish. The youtube videos that I see talk about SFPM, RPM, depth of cut, etc. They yield spindle RPMs in the range of 3000 to 10,000 RPM +/- for the examples they work through. The Bosch Colt router has a no load spindle speed of 16,000 to 30,000 RPM. I am seeking assistance from you, Master Kyo, regarding recommended spindles and your experience in spindle speeds for various materials. I also need help and advice on air, mist, or flood cooling.
     

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