My next CNC project - a PrintNC router

[thriller007]

I paid $1200 for the kit which included:
VFD
2.2KW watercooled spindle
Water pump
4 lengths of linear rail
6 rail blocks
4 stepper motors
4 stepper drivers
ER20 collet set
5 limit switches
1/2 metric tonne of hardware
Cable chains
Steel for the frame was about $100
$90 for a custom Teensy 4.1 breakout board
It will have a working area of 32" w x 24" deep.

I almost pressed buy on a Sienci Longmill before deciding to go this route but they were too big and I also wanted to be able to mill aluminum.

I am still undecided as to what direction to go. Ironically I think the Sienci Longmill is my top choice right now. I don't have a lot of time for building. I wish there was someone in Southern Alberta that has a Longmill so I could look at one of these in person. Also the same for a print NC.

 

[David]

I am still undecided as to what direction to go. Ironically I think the Sienci Longmill is my top choice right now. I don't have a lot of time for building. I wish there was someone in Southern Alberta that has a Longmill so I could look at one of these in person. Also the same for a print NC.

I won’t lie, building the router was not a trivial thing.
I think what really matters is understanding what kind of work you want to do; size and material are the key factors. If you have a desire to do any work with non-ferrous materials then buy the stoutest possible machine you can get.

 

[David]

I've been having loads of issues with the UCCNC software and controller. After an extended period of disuse I fired it up and discovered that all the settings had been lost. Took several hours to sort that out. Then more recently the software decided to crater again and pitch out half the settings leading to some really bizarre behaviour. This one caused a pretty decent crash and took several more hours to sort out.

So today I decided to return to the open source roots (and spirit?) of the PrintNC project and switch over to grblHAL and ditch the UCCNC software.
Ordered a FlexiHAL board from Expatria Technologies and some nifty wiring accessories from long-time PrintNC project supporter.
Here's a link to the board.

FlexiHAL Isolated CNC Controller Rev A7 for GRBLHAL and LinuxCNC

This board is everything you need to build a high functioning CNC machine.The key features of the Flexi-HAL: 5 Axis of isolated step/direction motor control featuring high-speed digital isolators and differential signal drivers for maximum signal integrity and step rates. Integrated support for...

expatria.myshopify.com

Jog2K Slim Keypad Pendant PCBA

Expatria Technologies jog controller for GRBLHAL2000 and Flexi-HAL boards This jog controller was developed for the GRLBHAL20000 and Flexi-HAL boards. It is designed to be relatively inexpensive and simple to assemble. It needs minimal manual wiring and leverages 3d printable parts for assembly...

expatria.myshopify.com

And the wiring accessories: driver keys, gantry endstop pcb, toolhead endstop pcb

PrintNCMods/PCBs at main · LoganFraser/PrintNCMods

Mods and PCBs for the PrintNC. Contribute to LoganFraser/PrintNCMods development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

 

[Susquatch]

If you have a desire to do any work with non-ferrous materials then buy the stoutest possible machine you can get.

Was this a typo David?

 

[David]

Was this a typo David?

No, why do you ask?

 

[Susquatch]

No, why do you ask?

Why do non-ferrous materials require a stouter machine than ferrous does? I guess I would have thought it was the other way around.

 

[David]

Why do non-ferrous materials require a stouter machine than ferrous does? I guess I would have thought it was the other way around.

Sorry, non-ferrous being aluminum vs. wood which is also non-ferrous I suppose

 

[Susquatch]

Sorry, non-ferrous being aluminum vs. wood which is also non-ferrous I suppose

I see now. Thanks.