Another Propeller Based CNC Machine In The Works - Photos

Comments

• kf4ixm Posts: 529

  2011-02-15 10:11 edited 2011-02-15 10:11

  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 Posts: 6,197

  2011-02-15 10:14 edited 2011-02-15 10:14

  kf4ixm
  
  All custom made my friend It will be a while before I finish this one, probably another month or so.
  
  Bruce
• kf4ixm Posts: 529

  2011-02-15 10:33 edited 2011-02-15 10:33

  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 Posts: 210

  2011-02-16 00:59 edited 2011-02-16 00:59

  Cool.
  What are you using to drive the stepper motors?
• idbruce Posts: 6,197

  2011-02-16 03:52 edited 2011-02-16 03:52

  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 Posts: 9

  2011-02-16 07:09 edited 2011-02-16 07:09

  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 Posts: 6,197

  2011-02-16 07:22 edited 2011-02-16 07:22

  ghost2
  
  The Propeller will be parsing an Eagle DRD file for coordinates.
  
  Bruce
• Cole Logan Posts: 196

  2011-02-16 16:52 edited 2011-02-16 16:52

  That is really cool, and there is another vote for wanting to see a video of it running
• $WMc% Posts: 1,884

  2011-02-16 18:33 edited 2011-02-16 18:33

  Hello idbruce:
  '
  I'll be sure to follow this thread for updates you post on this project.
  '
  Great work.
• idbruce Posts: 6,197

  2011-02-16 18:45 edited 2011-02-16 18:45

  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% Posts: 1,884

  2011-02-16 18:53 edited 2011-02-16 18:53

  Bruce
  '
  What are you planning to make with this machine?
• bsnut Posts: 521

  2011-02-16 19:27 edited 2011-02-16 19:27

  Bruce,
  It looks nice and when you are done, you will have bouncing baby PC Boards.
• idbruce Posts: 6,197

  2011-02-17 04:20 edited 2011-02-17 04:20

  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

  

  

  DSCN0233.jpg

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  Dscn0228.jpg

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  Dscn0241.jpg

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• idbruce Posts: 6,197

  2011-03-14 17:56 edited 2011-03-14 17:56

  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 Posts: 614

  2011-03-14 20:17 edited 2011-03-14 20:17

  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 Posts: 6,197

  2011-03-14 20:21 edited 2011-03-14 20:21

  bennettdan
  
  Thanks for the links. I am now leaning more towards using some type of cutting bit. Still in the thinking process.
  
  Bruce
• bennettdan Posts: 614

  2011-03-14 20:36 edited 2011-03-14 20:36

  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