2012-NC - show your machines and products!

[Chris@home]

To all 2012-NC builders.....

It would be super to see your machines, the story behind the machine
and new found solutions.

Also and for sure not to forget the actual cutting results....

Thanks for taking the time , -chris-

[Alex]

Hi All,

I have completed my build some time ago and have used it for many, many projects over time will post details at a later stage. This is truly a wonderfully designed and solid machine.

Over time I have made some modifications and some features to it.

My software chain is:
Cad: Draftsight, Freecad
Cam: CamBam
Controler : PlanetCNC

I have added some of the pictures of my machine setup and modifications below, if anyone would like to know more about these please ask.

The first one was the dust extraction. This one has the highest level of WAF rating. (Wife Acceptance Factor) as it keeps my cutting area clean.

My spindle mount is 14 mm thick, so I had some space at the bottom to clamp the unit to the spindle. I used 14 mm perspex and made it in two parts for simpler tool change. These are held together with 6 neodymium magnets. (3 per side) when cutting. The skirt is made from silicone drawer liner and held in place with a alu strip. I have used this for more than a year now and has not come loose yet and I have not had to replace the skirt or the magnets:-)

Sources:

Magnets: http://www.supermagnete.nl/
Silicon liner : Ikea
Perspex : http://www.stoutperspex.nl/  ( need to add a comment on Stout Perspex. This is one of the most friendly and helpful companies I have ever dealt with in the Netherlands and would recommend this as a Perspex supplier in the Rotterdam Area.)

Second was the ALU plate below the spoil board.

I found that each time I had to replace the spoil board that I had to spent quite a bit of time with adjustments to get the machine re-aligned. I used a piece of 600X 375 x 6 mm Aluminium as a base and am now using the a slightly thinner spill-board on top of that. The 6mm does have enough strength for me.

Source: https://www.aluminiumopmaat.nl/, had the best price and cut to size, fast delivery

Thirdly was my camera.

I found that I was making to many mistakes in getting my bit to line up with the exact place on my material where I would like it to be. So Though a camera would make life a bit easier. As this is well supported in with the Planet CNC Software. But spent some time looking for the ideal  camera, did not want a bulky web-cam that would get in the way of dust extraction or reduce the size of my cutting area. I finally settled on a 5.5 mm endoscope camera from China at +- 14 Euros. This was mounted on the side of the spindle mount with a two Perspex mounts which simply clamps on the plate. Total space needed is only about 7mm. So made no difference to cutting area and provides a clear picture.

Source:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390957028031?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Stand :

Here the original WAF rating for this whole project was very low as the dining room table or a workbench was not a accepted place for the machine. Even though I though it added something special :-)  At one of our trips to Ikea, I discovered a office drawer unit named Alex  (How could I not find a need for it)  with the correct top dimensions for the machine to stand on and accepted color. This unit also had nice and wide drawers for material, tools etc. I bought it and after a bit of modification to neatly hold the controller and adding some heavy duty wheels to be able to role it away when not working on some project. I managed to get the WAF rating to an acceptable level.

The only outstanding thing is to improve on my current tool sensor.

[Chris@home]

Very nicely buildup, great solution/adaptations.

What drivers did you apply with the planet-cnc controller?
Looks a bit like the enclosure I develloped 
But handy the control buttons on the frontside.

Do keep us posted on your products.

Thanks,
              -chris-

[Alex]

HI Chris,

Yes the enclosure was inspired by yours:)
I had to build my own enclosure as I could not find something which was the right size to house the the MK1 controller I build and and the drivers I got from planet-cnc. I thought for the size of the machine and the work area it made sense to put the buttons in the front of the enclosure as it would always be very close to the machine and a pendant would just get in the way. For a bigger machine I may have thought differently.

I have just finished V2 of my DVD writer laser LED engraver, will post some pictures shortly. The original was to small