http://diylilcnc.org/forum/forum/diylilcnc-build Free, open-source plans for a low-cost 3-axis CNC mill by Taylor Hokanson and Chris Reilly. Sponsored by the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. en-US Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:48:47 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://diylilcnc.org/forum/search.php http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/before-you-get-panels-cut-read-this-post/page/2#post-914 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:45:06 +0000 Don 914@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>I started off with CNC a while back attempting the oomlot build from instructables.com and it went great unitll it came time for those stinking barrel nuts &gt;:| grrrr I still have nightmares about it so after seeing this one on instructables I was so happy to see a way around them! planning my build now but had a few questions. </p> <p>Is there any reason I couldn't use .25 inch MDF as opposed to Masonite? I would think MDF would be a lot more consitant in thickness due to the nature of its manufacturing process but what do I know thats just speculation. Is Masonite more rigid than MDF? was masonite chosen solely because its cheap? has anyone out there adapted the use of a rotozip as the cutting tool? would a rotozip even fit in the z-cart? I know I could do the measurements myself to see but always better to ask so Im not reinventing the wheel </p> <p>I just scheduled some time at a local tech school with their laser to cut the panels out. Their laser cutter is a Amada Pulsar 2000W Laser (so psyced to get to use it lol!)</p> <p>Don Mynes </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/atx-power-supply-and-motor-alternatives#post-913 Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:27:04 +0000 aymantn 913@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Thank you, it was helpful for me.<br /> take a look also on this page some tips about smps power supplys:<br /> <a href="http://smpstroubleshooting.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">http://smpstroubleshooting.blogspot.com/</a> </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/laser-cutting-services#post-911 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:20:20 +0000 nfreund 911@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>We are happy to introduce our company GRAND LASER WORKS INC. We are a laser cutting/marking job shop based in Brooklyn, NY, we recently moved to a bigger facility and also upgraded our laser equipment, we are ready to do the laser cutting of the wood panels for a reasonable price.<br /> Please feel free to contact us @ 718-832-3810<br /> <a href="http://www.grandlaser.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.grandlaser.com</a>. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/build-for-boys-and-girls-club-electronics-class#post-909 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:38:07 +0000 Chris 909@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>cyphersyntax, as long as you can get a driver board that will serve enough current (2A/ea) to those probotix motors, I think you should be fine. The motors we spec for DIYLILCNC V1 are in fact overpowered given the size of the gantry. We'll probably end up switching back to something smaller for V2. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/build-for-boys-and-girls-club-electronics-class#post-906 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:29:12 +0000 cyphersyntax 906@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Thanks for the heads up. What kind of performance loss will this cause if we went with the motors you linked to? We could also start with smaller motors and fundraise for larger ones by showing what the kids and the machine can do i guess. The Kids are super excited about this project and we took them to a local shop that has a couple of highend machines. including a 5 axis aluminum cnc used to build racing rims. They have also agreed to give a 2 weekend class on cad design and coding. We will get as many pics as possible of the build and let you know how it is going. If there is anything else you can think of or see please let me know. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/build-for-boys-and-girls-club-electronics-class#post-905 Sat, 10 Dec 2011 05:38:37 +0000 Chris 905@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>cyphersyntax, sounds like a great project! Without a doubt, motors and controller electronics are the most expensive parts of a cnc build. I saw that probotix.com had some <a href="http://www.probotix.com/index.php?view=product&amp;path=14&amp;product_id=152">stepper motors for relatively cheap</a>. They are a bit smaller than the ones we spec for diylilcnc but they ahould still work.</p> <p>For the driver board, you could check out <a href="http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/v2-electronicsdriver-board#post-896">recommendation from buildlog.net</a>.</p> <p>If you do end up finding anything cheaper, please let us know. We'd also love to see any pictures from your build process. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/build-for-boys-and-girls-club-electronics-class#post-904 Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:00:04 +0000 cyphersyntax 904@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Just trying to get some advice on ways to find some cheaper parts or maybe some company that excepts tax ID. We started a program 2 years ago at our local Boys and Girls Club as a way for under privileged kids to gain experience and knowledge of tools, electronics, and robots. We started with Lego mind-storm, then moved to a thing-o-matic. Know I have several older kids who want to build a cnc.I will be paying and donating these parts to the program in hopes we can make a few thing to fund our next venture. I have purchased the panels from here, and now I am looking for the best way to buy hardware and motors with out breaking the bank. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/linux-recommendation-for-reading-editing-files/page/2#post-873 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 16:53:48 +0000 Taylor 873@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>All,</p> <p>I've just posted a zip file containing 7 separate DXFs to the <a href="http://diylilcnc.org/downloads">downloads page</a>. You can also grab the files directly <a href="http://diylilcnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/DIYLILCNC_v103_DXF.zip">here</a>.</p> <p>Mess with the material and let me know if any problems/requests pop up. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/where-are-the-cad-files/page/2#post-872 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 16:27:30 +0000 Taylor 872@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>All,</p> <p>I've just posted a zip file containing 7 separate DXFs to the <a href="http://diylilcnc.org/downloads">downloads page</a>. You can also grab the files directly <a href="http://diylilcnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/DIYLILCNC_v103_DXF.zip">here</a>.</p> <p>Mess with the material and let me know if any problems/requests pop up. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/where-are-the-cad-files/page/2#post-871 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 13:06:22 +0000 Flanders 871@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Hy there. I have serious problems to use the dxf Files in Autodesk Inventor or in AutoCAD i am using the 2012 Version. Did someone have these Files in dwg or in a working dxf file??<br /> Thanks </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/building-diylilcnc-in-germany#post-867 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:01:37 +0000 Taylor 867@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>@Flanders,</p> <p>This design does not require high tolerances, but do note that our slots are .25" wide. You might need to shave down the tabs so that they can fit in the slots, but this will likely only require a little hand-sanding.</p> <p>As for the controller board, there are many workable options. Don't feel that you must use the HobbyCNC board, but do be aware that the controller should match the power draw of your motors.</p> <p>Looking forward to photos! </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/building-diylilcnc-in-germany#post-866 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:13:24 +0000 Flanders 866@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Hello i am trying to build it to in Germany. I have found all the parts her in GE exapt for the CNC Router Board....</p> <p>I am using a 13mm MDF because 1/2" are 12,7mm. 0.3 mm sould not be this problem if it will be i use the big cnc router at my university to cut the 0,3mm down.</p> <p>If you are currently building you CNC please let me know</p> <p>Greetings </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/z-cart-modification-questions#post-860 Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:35:41 +0000 Ming 860@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Thanks for the information Chris! I was thinking of linear bearing blocks too after <a href="http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/a-very-modified-bulid">seeing</a> it in Sly's build. Sly used VXB, which looks like a good choice. </p> <p>Right now I'm trying to contact VXB in regards to some measurements for the <a href="http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/12mmLinearMotionSystems/Kit8512">12mm bearing blocks</a> because the Rhino model I built from the listed measurements looks like a flattened version of the actual bearing block. If I'm reading the measurements on that page correctly, the block should be 28mm tall and 42mm wide. Thus the height should be 2/3 of the width but the photos don't convey those proportions. </p> <p><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6169/6197146952_ca4004166b_b.jpg" /></p> <p>I'm emailing VXB about the dimensions and hoping to have a reply soon. Hopefully I did something stupid and that the listed dimensions are right (instead of me being right and being therefore unable to trust any of the measurements given on the site).</p> <p>On a tangent, I am currently planning on making a highly modified LIL CNC. I'd like to include <a href="http://grumpygeek.com/?p=915#more-915">stepper motor dampers</a> to increase IPM, an <a href="http://www.cerebralmeltdown.com/2011/07/25/wiring-a-stepdir-type-stepper-motor-driver-board-to-an-arduino/">Arduino replacement</a> for serial ports, a dust shoe, a <a href="http://www.cerebralmeltdown.com/2011/06/27/diy-cnc-dust-collection-cyclone-separator/">cyclone dust trap</a>.</p> <p>In addition I'm planning on switching out the timing belts for leadscrews or racks &amp; pinion. I feel like I'd end up screwing up the timing belts by tightening them to different tensions. I will update you on design modifications as I make them. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/z-cart-modification-questions#post-857 Sat, 24 Sep 2011 04:13:29 +0000 Chris 857@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>To answer your other question regarding the long Y-Rail bearing assemblies: we tried to make them shorter, but found that the gantry would rack pretty substantially, since it's only held down by gravity. That's another thing we're planning to address in V2, getting the Y-bearings trapped somehow so they're more stable. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/z-cart-modification-questions#post-856 Sat, 24 Sep 2011 04:11:17 +0000 Chris 856@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Ming, great questions (good to hear from you, btw). </p> <p>It's pretty much friction holding the Z-Rail bearing assemblies to the Z-Sled. Really the Z-sled just needs to stay aligned vertically; the acme screw does all the work in that part of the gantry. </p> <p>One alternative we're going to look at in an upcoming redesign is to use bushings wrapped around steel rod. Something like this:</p> <p><img src="http://diylilcnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/bushing.jpg" /></p> <p>This will eliminate lots of bulk in the Z-cart as well as all the extra parts required for the skate bearing assemblies. </p>