Another Propeller Based CNC Machine In The Works - Photos

idbruce

Hello Everyone

Here is another CNC machine that I am in the process of making. It is a PCB drilling machine and this one will operate off of one Propeller Proto Board. This machine will connect to the same power supply as the other CNC's.

Bruce

kf4ixm

Looks nice! would love to see a video of it in operation. i've been following your posts about cnc's as im wanting to build my own. did you make the slides or buy them pre-assembled? details, details!

idbruce

kf4ixm

All custom made my friend It will be a while before I finish this one, probably another month or so.

Bruce

kf4ixm

Very cool! I'm planning on making my own also. i have one axis board made already using the stepgenie chip to drive the hexfets that drive the stepper, using 3 pins from the prop for enable, step pulse and direction. are you using encoders for positioning? i have been trying to decide myself on either using a hall effect sensor for home and keeping track of pulse count or using a quad encoder.

TonyD

Cool.
What are you using to drive the stepper motors?

idbruce

TonyD

As you can clearly see, the electronics are not shown in the photos. I will be using four G251 stepper drives from Gecko Drive to run the motors, and a Propeller Proto Board to send the necessary pulses.

Bruce

ghost2

idbruce wrote: »

I will be using four G251 stepper drives from Gecko Drive to run the motors, and a Propeller Proto Board to send the necessary pulses.

Bruce

What is the input to the Propeller?

g.

idbruce

ghost2

The Propeller will be parsing an Eagle DRD file for coordinates.

Bruce

Cole Logan

That is really cool, and there is another vote for wanting to see a video of it running

$WMc%

Hello idbruce:
'
I'll be sure to follow this thread for updates you post on this project.
'
Great work.

idbruce

Thanks Cole
Thanks Walt

I will keep you guys posted, and post a video when I work on it again. It's kind of funny though, I thought the other CNC's would have caught more interest.

Bruce

$WMc%

Bruce
'
What are you planning to make with this machine?

bsnut

Bruce,
It looks nice and when you are done, you will have bouncing baby PC Boards.

idbruce

Walt

I have several projects in mind for this machine, some of which include:

• PCB's for a L6208 based stepper driver
• PCB's for a Propeller based UV LED exposure box
• PCB's for a Propeller based controller for a miniature version of this machine

In the following thread, forum member kbash presented a pretty nice looking circuit board which really caught my interest, I might also do something similar to that.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?129448-Prop-based-CNC-3D-printer

Whatever I decide to make, it will be a profit driven decision. Of course, for a nice guy like you Walt and a few others here, I might make an occassional free circuit board.

Did you take a peek at my other machines on this post?
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?129612-My-Current-Prop-Based-CNC-Photos

Below are some additional photos for my current exposure box, which will go hand in hand with the machine above.

Bruce

idbruce

To Anyone Interested

I am now thinking of adding a laser diode to the Z-axis of this machine for cutting out cardboard packaging.

Has anyone hacked the laser diode from a CDROM drive?

Bruce

bennettdan

Bruce
Look at these they should get you started, but I would have to say the cardboard would have to be really thin for this thing to cut it because most DVD laser burners are 1 watt or less. I would say you would set the cardboard on fire before it cut a nice cut. But the hacked lasers are great for popping ballons and lighting cigarettes.
http://showsyouhow.blogspot.com/2007/12/diy-dvd-burner-laser-pointer-proper-way_18.html
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=burning+laser+&_sacat=0&_odkw=10+watt+laser&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=laser+lens&_sacat=See-All-Categories

idbruce

bennettdan

Thanks for the links. I am now leaning more towards using some type of cutting bit. Still in the thinking process.

Bruce

bennettdan

Bruce
If you want to have a real laser setup and I see you dont mind a little DIY take a look at this book. It has alot of info on a Laser Powersupply and cooling requirements.
http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Gadgets-Genius-Build-Yourself/dp/0071426094/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b

Here is a 40 Watt Tube and powersupply so u would have to have cooling pump and lens.
http://cgi.ebay.com/40W-CO2-Laser-Tube-Power-Supply-Cutting-Engraving-/150552923733?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230da74e55