beardyblair published a new build:

Read more about this build...

 

The build log, here goes!

This started out as I needed a CNC machine at work to speed up our prototyping process and make us less reliant on other companies. Although the quality of work we have received has been acceptable the timeframes and cost are not. We build custom UAV's (drones), robots and functioning prototypes for the oil and gas industries and with the price of oil down we are being asked to reduce our costs. Some designs take multiple iterations during the prototyping phase and this can result in weeks of additional time waiting on parts. I want to reduce this to days or even hours.

So my quest began to find a suitable CNC machine that was within budget and would fit our needs. I turned to google and quickly found out that there are many commercially available "hobby" CNC routers that were a close fit but the reviews, build quality (strength) and adaptability was a concern. I looked at professional versions but could not find something that had a reasonable price tag and also met our needs. It was at this point that I turned to Openbuilds. I have been involved in 3D printing for many years so have seen and worked with v slot extrusions before and knew that Openbuilds had a great 3D printing community, it was by pure chance when researching for another project (a 1m x 1m x 1m high res 3D FDM printer) that I came across KYO's build.

After studying Kyo's build it became apparent that it was a great base and would scale up well. The engineering was well within our capabilities but we had no knowledge of GRBL and CNC controllers, as Kyo can attest, the questions came rolling into his thread.

With my mind put at ease by the help of the Openbuilds community, I pushed the button and began ordering parts. The only problem was getting the plates made up! I needed a CNC machine! My local suppliers all let me down, national suppliers were all busy or not able to cut without hand-drawn drawings. So once again Openbuilds came to the rescue and Chris Laidlaw offered to make the plates. I took a chance and dealt with him directly, the funds were transferred and I waited for an update. From the time I paid to the parts being sent took less than two days. I can't recommend Chris highly enough, easy to deal with, great price and flawless craftsmanship.

I took Kyo's plans and scaled up all the axis, I had ordered Chris's extended plates so had 50mm additional Z clearance. Here are the sizes of the extrusions I had cut:

• Qty 5 20x60 V-slot 880mm base/frame
  
• Qty 2 20x60 V-slot 996mm base/frame
• Qty 3 C-beam 1000mm X, Y axis
• Qty 1 C-beam 310mm Z axis (this could possibly be shorter, have not finalised this yet)

And the lead screws:

• Qty 3 1040mm - this is the full size no cutting needed
• Qty 1 355mm

All Openbuilds parts were ordered from ooznest.co.uk, even with the cut parts they were with me in under 3 days.

So with a mountain of parts, it was time to start the build....

*edited to update incorrect frame size.

 

To start with I needed a solid base so I built a table to hold the CNC, provide storage for sheet metal and carbon and house my new 3D printer (build log coming soon). It is deliberately tall to avoid me having to lean over.



I then fired up the ipad and went to work building the base (I added the other two extrusions later, just wanted to try to keep it square. Note the additional T-nuts:



As most of the lengths were complete or did not need to be tapped I only had to do one end of the Z-axis and two ends of the base, being alloy it was easy:





When putting together the mini v wheels on the Y plates I had to buff down the 15mm screws as I was unable to get 12mm ones:







Note: when using the eccentric spacers that the printed edge that reads 6mm is the maximum offset. So start with these all lined up opposite the direction of the track and work in from there:

 

And ta da..... notice the strategically placed T-nuts....



So with the base build complete I went on to add a cable channel to the back by attaching a section of 20 x 20 mm alloy box:



The limit switches:



And an X-axis cable chain. I simply 3D printed some plastic brackets to hold a piece of 20 x 40mm alloy angle and used a left over piece of 20x40mm V slot to act as a bracket on the Z- axis. I used one and a half cable chains.



Now to make a loom and get all the connectors on!

 

I have got a Raspberry Pi 3 and Protoneer hat with Pololu DRV8825 drivers. Are they going to have enough power to drive my NEMA23 345oz 3A motors?

 

Thanks for that, been an enjoyable build so far. I kinda knew that I was going to have to upgrade to the DRV8825 or similar. Grrrr........ Just hoped they would be enough to get me going.

 

Trying to locate some in the UK. No success so far. Looking like Germany has some though.....

 

Managed to find and put on hold 3 x DQ542MA and 1 x DQ860MA - any thoughts?

I have a 24v 350W PSU - hopefully that will be enough for it all.

 

QUOTE="Ronald van Arkel, post: 45384, member: 2417"]You just need 2 x DQ542MA drivers (Z and X), the DQ860MA if for both motors on Y. Is it a brand PSU or just a LED strip PSU? LED strip PSUs are about 200W real output but should be enough for your setup.

-Ronald[/QUOTE]
I got the three DQ542MA's as they were a deal on eBay and cheaper than two separately. The PSU is from the openbuilds store.

 

Yup I have a Pi3 and protoneer shield. Just need the external driver plates now.

 

And already planning my next two builds............ addictive but cheaper than class A narcotics I suppose.

 

I have way more than 2 builds going on but most of them fly or collect data. My ideas book has become a few idea books and I have to be selective on which ones I work on. The builds on here will help me with the execution of future builds/ideas.

Update on this build:
Ordered the drivers on Ebay from the "wantaimotor" shop. All listings were in Germany and had "German Ship & Free" in the title. My DQ5423MA's arrived within 3 days and are here waiting to go in. Unfortunately, I was contacted within a few hours of purchasing the larger DQ860MA driver to be asked if it was OK to send the item from China. The seller has 7 other listings showing the DQ860MA in stock and in Germany yet wanted to send from China. I explained that I ordered from Germany to get them quicker and to avoid import duty. Seller has now stopped communicating with me.

Now looking for other options.

 

Bit the bullet today and ordered 3 more DQ5423MA's. Buying one was going to be £45 whereas three came to £80 delivered. I need some for my next build and its good to have spares right....

Also began modelling the 3D printed box that will house the power supply, 4 x DQ5423MA's, wiring, Pi3 and Protoneer shield. I will post up some pics of this and make the files available once tested for fitment.

Hoping to get this working this week!

 

Origionally I had thought about doing the same thing. I think as JustinTime has also commented that it will be fine, be sure to use a pillar drill for the holes though as alignment and no slop will be the key to getting a good cut in the Aluminium. Mine is still not up and running but I believe shallow depth of cut will be key.

The plates are 6.235mm I had contimplated beefing them up but ther is no need - the weak point is the bolts and wheels. But that is not an issue due to the quantity.

Wow not cool, maybe they oversold in their recent black friday sale. Here in the UK all Openbuilds parts are sold via Ooznest and I honestly can not fault them, even when getting them to cut parts they still appear next day! Never been let down yet, top guys! But have experienced parts from China or Germany or Austria arriving before parts from here in the UK before. Crazy.

 

Finally had some time to do an update; with the run up to Christmas things are crazy at work trying to complete projects before year end. Anyhoo.....

My drivers arrived and I managed to design a box to house them, the power supply and control hardware. I decided to make it as a stackable set of boxes, each to house a different part and to connect it via aviation style connectors. This would mean I can print it in stages and would not limit me to any sizes. After printing the first box to house the PSU I decided it needed to be larger and to add more holes to allow better airflow.

First prototype with second below to illustrate size difference:



Finalised base that will hold the PSU:



And with PSU installed:



Some of the connectors I have bought:



I am now in the progress of making the wiring loom. This will be made from 20 AWG wires for the motors and 24 for the end stops and sensors, shrink wrapped at the ends with 4-8mm flexible sheathing. This can easily be added to over time. One six pin connector will be used for the end stops and sensors and individual 4 pins for the motors.

 

Thanks for your input. Just ordered the 18 AWG wire as per your recommendation, had hoped to wire this up today but I guess an extra day will not hurt. Its silicone multi core so will be up to the task. I will spend the time I had set aside completing the 3D design of the top section of the PSU and control boxes. Maybe post some pics later.

 

Cheers for the like. Not yet sure on the cutting area of mine. Fired it up for the first time properly on Friday just before heading home and set it to 800 x 800 to be "safe". Maximum size was governed by the leadscrew sizes. I have done some testing and there is no noticeable movement anywhere. It's a really sturdy build!

In answer to your questions:

1. In short, yes. But remember. The torque required to move the carriages is minimal and the additional length on a larger build will not add any noticeable additional friction/drag. It is the duty of the machine that defines the torque required. When the motor is not moving it is holding and that is where you need the torque. More available torque will equal a more precise cut, especially when running fast or with harder materials.
   
2. Yes....but........ I had planned to have 2 separate drivers from the start. However, after talking on these forums I decided to go for one larger driver. I ordered them all but there was a problem with delivery. So in the end I used 2.
   
3. Definitely, it's a great system. Although not as well documented as I had hoped it is so easy to setup. I have set it up with end stops but not with spindle or coolant yet. Kyo has some great Youtube videos to help with config and wiring if you get stuck.
   
4. Currently, Dewalt but intend to move to a dedicated CNC spindle once the machine has started to pay for itself