Yet another CNC project (Build Thread)

[Hood]

How are you finding these couplings? I put similar on my lathes turret but found there was too much compression in them even with the hardest inserts I could get. Then again the turret is a heavy lump to swing round 300mm dia by 55mm thick then all the VDI holders and tools, must come in around about 50kg plus.

 

[MattH]

How are you finding these couplings? I put similar on my lathes turret but found there was too much compression in them even with the hardest inserts I could get. Then again the turret is a heavy lump to swing round 300mm dia by 55mm thick then all the VDI holders and tools, must come in around about 50kg plus.

Only used them on routers in the past so it remains to be seen.
I’d not really considered it, I see how they go.

The X axis is going to be a fair weight, the table alone weighs at least 40kgs, plus the Y rails, saddle, carriages and vice, probably at least 80kgs.

Although I’m going to start with UCCNC I am considering the SZGH controller, if I go down this route then I’ll add linear scales and close the loop which would eliminate backlash issues.

 

[Hood]

The SZGH don't really close the loop, they just use the scales for feedback of position and error tripping. At least the one I have anyway, they may have different ones out nowadays.

 

[MattH]

The SZGH don't really close the loop, they just use the scales for feedback of position and error tripping. At least the one I have anyway, they may have different ones out nowadays.

I haven’t quizzed them yet but the current model supports absolute servos for full position feedback. I am presuming linear scales achieve the same.
I would however get that all confirmed before moving on anything.

 

[Hood]

Mine can use absolute servos as well I think, certainly remember that being in the parameters as no need to home if you have them. Will be interesting to hear what you find out.

 

[Hood]

This is the one I have.

SZGH-CNC1000TDc-2 lathe controller-ShenZhen GuanHong Automation Co.,LTD.

SZGH-CNC1000TDc-2 lathe controller Overview: SZGH-CNC1000TDc-2 two-axis lathe CNC system is economical type and 800x 600 true 8-inch color LCD display, based on ARM microprocessor and PDF, supports automatic tool changing function. Matching servo motors and drivers, Shenzhen Guanhong Automation...

www.szghauto.com

 

[MattH]

I was looking at the 5 axis 1000 series or this which is only a few quid more:

SZGH-CNC1500MDc Vertical CNC milling controller-ShenZhen GuanHong Automation Co.,LTD.

SZGH-CNC1500MDc Vertical CNC milling controller Overview: SZGH-CNC1500MDc is vertical CNC milling controller with USB and 2-6 axis , it supports X,Y,Z and A,B ,C and adopt modbus technology , and ARM, DSP , and FPGA , very high performance.

www.szghauto.com

 

[Hood]

They are certainly decent controllers, couldn't be happier with mine for the lathe.

 

[minimutly]

Didn't see a price there?

 

[Hood]

You can get prices on Aliexpress but usually you get slightly better if you contact and ask for a quote.

 

[m_c]

I was looking at the 5 axis 1000 series or this which is only a few quid more:

SZGH-CNC1500MDc Vertical CNC milling controller-ShenZhen GuanHong Automation Co.,LTD.

SZGH-CNC1500MDc Vertical CNC milling controller Overview: SZGH-CNC1500MDc is vertical CNC milling controller with USB and 2-6 axis , it supports X,Y,Z and A,B ,C and adopt modbus technology , and ARM, DSP , and FPGA , very high performance.

www.szghauto.com

It may only be a few quid more for the extra axis/axes output functionality, but when I priced them, you had to pay more to get multi-axis interpolation.
IIRC when I looked at one with a 4th axis option, the basic controller only had 2 axis interpolation, then you had to pay extra if you wanted full 3 or 4 axis interpolation.

If I could remember who I got a quote from, I'm sure I've still got the emails.

Actually, Just found the emails.
It was a CNCMakers. 4axis with 3 axis simultaneously in 2016 was $2285, and 4 axis with 4 axis simultaneously was $3048.
What ultimately put me off at the time for the mill, was the program memory limit. 57MB doesn't go very far if you're doing a lot of 3D milling.

 

[Hood]

It may only be a few quid more for the extra axis/axes output functionality, but when I priced them, you had to pay more to get multi-axis interpolation.
IIRC when I looked at one with a 4th axis option, the basic controller only had 2 axis interpolation, then you had to pay extra if you wanted full 3 or 4 axis interpolation.

If I could remember who I got a quote from, I'm sure I've still got the emails.

Actually, Just found the emails.
It was a CNCMakers. 4axis with 3 axis simultaneously in 2016 was $2285, and 4 axis with 4 axis simultaneously was $3048.
What ultimately put me off at the time for the mill, was the program memory limit. 57MB doesn't go very far if you're doing a lot of 3D milling.

They are different controllers so likely different costings , I know my friend, who put an SZGH on his mill wasn't much more expensive than me for my 2 axis lathe one.

 

[Hood]

Oh and for his 3 axis mill he was less than half the price of your quote.

 

[Hood]

Just looked and for my 2 axis Lathe I was $840 delivered and if I recall he was about $900 for his 3 axis mill.

 

[m_c]

Prices of the common controllers have dropped a lot, but the key point I was making, was check how many axes can be driven simultaneously.
It's the kind of detail some sellers will not be open about.

 

[MattH]

Prices of the common controllers have dropped a lot, but the key point I was making, was check how many axes can be driven simultaneously.
It's the kind of detail some sellers will not be open about.

Yes, you are right to point this out. I’ve noticed on some of the listings that a 5 axis might only list 2 axis interpolation.

As I said I’m starting with UCCNC which I’ve used before and like. The probing and tool height routines work well. My issue is going to be getting the tool carousel working correctly as the macros in UNCNC aren’t very standard and my eyes cross when I look at code so I’m useless faulting finding other people’s efforts.

With a hardware controller the macro would be supplied by the manufacturer.

 

[MattH]

Still moving along on this build. I’ve started in on the Z access spindle mount and it’s slow going as most of it is going to be steel.
I made a mdf template on one of the C02 lasers to check for alignment:


I then moved on to making the plate out of steel, I’d had the rough sizes plasma cut and I’ve g]done all the finishing on the Cnc router. It’s been slow going but is fine a nice job:


I’m currently working on the four riser blocks that sit between this plate and the Z carriages to space it out correctly.

 

[MattH]

Finished machining the riser blocks today. I surfaced them on the router and drilled pilot holes. I then transferred them to the manual mill and drilled the holes out to size.
Using 2 M10 bolts I attached the risers to the underside of the Z plate and then machined the surfaces od]f the risers to have the correct offset from the plate.
Once done I mounting it all to the column. The plate and risers are held on to each carriage with 4 x M8 bolts, the spindle spacer will then bolt through the plate into the risers with 8 M10 bolts.

 

[MattH]

I cut the back plate of the spindle spacer weldment today.
I haven’t surfaced the plate yet, I intend to weld the spacer first and then surface it front and back on the manual mill to ensure parallelism.

I cut and fitted two keys to Z spindle plate, they are a slightly interference fit and needed tapping home with a hammer, the corresponding keyways in the spacer plate are a nice tight slip fit.

 

[minimutly]

I cut the back plate of the spindle spacer weldment today.
I haven’t surfaced the plate yet, I intend to weld the spacer first and then surface it front and back on the manual mill to ensure parallelism.

I cut and fitted two keys to Z spindle plate, they are a slightly interference fit and needed tapping home with a hammer, the corresponding keyways in the spacer plate are a nice tight slip fit.

View attachment 357378View attachment 357379View attachment 357380View attachment 357381View attachment 357382View attachment 357383

Good stuff this.