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C-Beam™ Machine - Plate Maker

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

  1. Jimmybuckets

    Jimmybuckets Well-Known
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    So I don't use either of those programs but whatever you are using as a driver/controller board is set to some amount of micro stepping...you need to know what that is. I am using 8x micro stepping. My steppers are stock 200 step per revolution steppers. So 8x200 is 1600 steps per revolution. The cbeam lead screws are 8mm per revolution...so 1600 steps is equal to 8mm of movement. I believe grbl wants steps per mm...so 1600step/8mm = 200steps per mm. This info is in cbeam build with a screenshot of proper grbl settings fyi :)
     
  2. David the swarfer

    David the swarfer OpenBuilds Team
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    Here is a handy calculator for doing the basic GRBL settings
    GRBL settings calculator

    After that the movement should be very close to correct, then you can fine tune by calibrating.
    HOWTO Calibrate your CNC Machine for MACH3 or GRBL

    None of the settings in Sketchucam will change the calibration of the machine, it only generates gcode and like every other such generator, assumes that the machine is accurate.

    bCNC is a GUI for GRBL. As such it can be used to set up GRBL settings but it's own settings do not affect the accuracy of the machine.
     
  3. daisosasen01

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    I am using the CNC xPRO V3 Controller Stepper Driver sold by openbuilds.
     
  4. daisosasen01

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    Will do, I'll give it a try.
     
  5. JerichoCaine

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    Hi all. I've been having problems cutting aluminium on my c beam. My feeds and speeds are working great and when I start the program I'm getting good chips and a clean cut.

    However sometimes when the end mill touches the Alu the program stops and the controller becomes non responsive. I'm using the protoneer Arduino CNC (grbl v1.1e) connected to an RPI 2 running bCNC. I have disconnected all of the connections to the Arduino CNC, end stops, abort/pause/resume/estop buttons. I have maintained the connections for controlling the VFD.

    I have tried to rule out interference by removing the connectors but am getting the same result. I also tried grounding the Alu and the spindle but this didn't help.

    Has anyone else seen anything like this?

    I know this is more an electronics issue than a c beam one but any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks
     
  6. dekarate

    dekarate New
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    Question/Problem: just completed C-Beam Machine build. Using grbl panel 1.0.9.15 to drive the xPro V3 board and NEMA 23 motors (standard bundle) On the initial JOG test everything worked fine, except it move 1mm instead of 10mm. Went and looked at settings and saw 200 not in the S100 field. Updated it and realized that the fields have to have a "return" in order to save the field to the board. Recall, seeing something about this in the past 50 pages herein. Updated all of the fields to match the supplied JPG listing of settings. Now nothing moves on JOG, servos stop making a hum, screen updates a new position, but the head stock is in the same location. I loosen the coupler to the servo and retry JOG and it doesn't spin without any load. I notice the servos hum when the power supply is on (I assume this is holding them in position). So where is my error or how to I get the xPro board back to the original settings it shipped with so I can try one field at a time to find the offending setting?
     
  7. Gilbert Mackall

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    Still having fun and learning. 3mm Brass
     

    Attached Files:

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  8. Gilbert Mackall

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    I had an over heating problem with my Xpro V2 that caused similar symptoms. I added heat sinks and that seemed to solve the problem.
     
  9. JerichoCaine

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    Thanks Gilbert. I had been running it for a while when I first got the error. Just did the same thing from cold and got the same issue after 2 minutes. I have heat sinks on my drivers already so am not sure how to go forward on that.

    I've ordered a Pi CNC Hat to tidy up my set up, also going to replace my wiring with cat 5. I'm thinking I must have a short somewhere.
     
  10. phil from seattle

    phil from seattle Journeyman
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    new xPro V3s need to have to enable inverted - $4=1. Don't if that's your problem...
     
  11. dekarate

    dekarate New
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    Thanks Phil. Looking at the JPG list it shows $4 as zero, so that could be the erroneous field. I will give it a go in the morning when I get back to work. Appreciate the update. I suspect that somewhere all of these are posted for the latest versions? If so, OpenBuilds may need to update the software download folders.
     
  12. dekarate

    dekarate New
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    YES the $4 as 1 does the trick thanks again
     
  13. dekarate

    dekarate New
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    Anybody have a list of settings for the xPRO CNC V3 controller. Saw reference in another blog there was a magic sheet of paper sent with OX build kits that had it. I got no documentation with the C-BEAM kit aside of the packing list.

    Not getting DRO readouts, but do get work offsets. Disconnect and Reconnect does not zero the work offsets.
    Suspect its still a setting issue - running grbl panel 1.0.9.15 GRBL versions 1.1f20170131:V3.1
     
  14. dekarate

    dekarate New
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    GRBL v1.1 S10 documentation indicates there are only 2 reporting options work space or machine space, no longer both. Suspect grbl panel is behind in still trying to report both with setting value of 3 at S10. Maybe there is a better software driver than grbl?
     
  15. dekarate

    dekarate New
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    OK, at least I get to answer myself - RDO never reported using grbl panel under Windows 8.1 Tried loading under Windows 10 under VMWare Fusion on my MAC and it worked !!! Except I get skips on JOG commands (stepper don't move, RDO jumps forward or back and Workspace re-zeros all at once). I turned the acceleration down by half (to 50) and it seems somewhat better, but was never a problem before. Thinking it could be a lag in the USB passthru from MAC to Windows, I went back to Windows 8.1 and reinstalled GRBL Panel from same zip file as I did 2 days ago. Suddenly RDO is now working and I have a "PINS" window box on the right side that was never there under the prior Win 8.1 install. See below figure, it all looks good. However, the skip on the JOG continues to persist. This is under no load, not even a router in the tool holder. Wasn't there before and settings still the same. Tried GRBL Controller 3.6.1 but get an "error 22". 3.0 is not available for download. Mac version seems to only want connect via Bluetooth which I don't have the xPRO V3 board. Universal GCode Sender 1.0.9 seems to have Java issues. And Chilipeppr never seemed to connect to the xPRO. No jogs errors at 100 feed rate and seems to get more frequent at 1000 feed rate. Open to suggestions. Running 12V.

    PanelScreen.jpeg
     
  16. lunknowl

    lunknowl New
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    hi, i just have question about the build, when using leadscrew the part list mention 500mm leadscrew with 500mm c-beam extrusion, but the leadscrew need to stick out a littlebit so that can connect to the coupler of nema23 but if using 500mm leadscrew with 500mm extrusion (same length) how the leadscrew stick out?
     
  17. Rick 2.0

    Rick 2.0 OpenBuilds Team
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  18. lunknowl

    lunknowl New
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    so if i buy leadscrew 500mm and cbeam 500m it should work like the tutorial video?
     
  19. Rick 2.0

    Rick 2.0 OpenBuilds Team
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    If you buy the lead screw from the OpenBuilds parts store it will work like the tutorial video (because you get 540mm of screw from them when you buy a 500mm length).
     
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  20. JerichoCaine

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    Couple of things to try. Turn down your acceleration to 10 for now and try again. If it works start tuning it up till you start seeing the issue again.

    If this doesn't help I'd try a new usb cable. Your issues sound very erratic and this could be the cause.

    Also check all your power connections. Maybe use heavier cable or if you have it another power source. If you can, check the load on the power source when you are carrying out operations where you see the issues, is it hitting the PSUs limit?
     
  21. David the swarfer

    David the swarfer OpenBuilds Team
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    that just has to be electrical noise, probably from the routers speed controller.
    make sure you are using STAR grounding
    shield any signal wires

    read (and do) this
    Electronics 101.
     
  22. JerichoCaine

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    Great link David. I had been reading around and came to the same conclusion. Currently working through all my power connections checking earth and shielding. Wish I hadn't stuffed all this in an enclosure! Concerned about my VFD being noisy, going to move it as far from controller as I can. About 50cm inside the enclosure, would be a pain to take it out fully.
     
  23. lunknowl

    lunknowl New
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    hi, i just bought the leadscrew 1x 250mm and 2x 500mm, i have a problem that the thread angle of 250mm is different than 500mm( different thread size maybe), is that normal for everyone?
     
  24. lunknowl

    lunknowl New
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    sorry by thread angle i think it the pitch, just do little bit research i think that 250mm is similiar to 4 pitch and 500m is similiar to 2 pitch( just want to make sure that i get the right order becuase i dont think they ship 2 different pitch size)
     
  25. Beëlzeblub

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    Hiya guys! i successfully did some jobs on my Cbeam but i need some help though;

    1. I installed my Cbeam and did some jobs but what i noticed is my X is my Y and reverse but yet my wires are correctly attached to my xPRO V3... I can cut but would love to get it to show right.
    2. End stops, can anyone show me some pictures where to put your endstops and which kind of endstops you use?
    I got me 3 of these: Micro Limit Switch Kit with Mounting Plate - OpenBuilds
    [​IMG]
    Thanks!
     
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  26. Beëlzeblub

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    Also, anyone using easel software of inventables? It's Xcarve software but it looked so easy so i tried it and it works but not sure of the settings...
     
  27. Jimmybuckets

    Jimmybuckets Well-Known
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    You can invert motor direction in the grbl firmware.
     
  28. daisosasen01

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    Hi I had the same issue, with one of my axis. What I had to do was swap wires so I can get it to move in the manner desired. It won't effect the way you write you gcode. Interms of the endstops, I'll post up pictures plus also how to setup a touch plate.
     
  29. daisosasen01

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    So after some calibration fails..I'm more confused as ever. I am using the CNC xPRO v3, and have gone back to Grbl provided by openbuilds. I have also used the values in the assembly video.
    1) The values do not store. When ever I reset the values rest
    2) I am still unable to get the machine to calibrate. I have used the video's provided and the link to calculate the values.

    What am I missing???

    I am almost about to break and buy Mach3 so I can calibrate using the video link provided. But that's a $160.00 purchase. This cheap build is not "cheap" anymore. Any assistance?
     
  30. Darathy

    Darathy New
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    Mach 3 will not work with xprob board. You will also need to buy a board for it. As for the values i remember you need to doubleclick on them after you changed to save them ,but am not sure anymore since it was a long while ago.
     

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