[Op:Fx]

Hey guys, another newbie here. I am putting together a custom CNC based on the X-Carve open source project. I have my components, built the frame, and am getting ready to start throwing all the electronics at it... I have been all over the internet the last few days looking for some help. My problem boils down to this: what order and/or parts do I need to get this thing running? I sort of jumped into this before looking up all of the pertinent electronics info...

Here's most of the important stuff that I have:
Frame- made from 80-20 (mostly 2525), runs on slides instead of wheels
Power supplies- 12v and 48v
Arduino Uno
gShield with grbl... 8? 9? it came preloaded.
QuietCut spindle
Speed controller, ordered from SMW3D
NEMA 23 motors (I doubled up the y-axis, as the gantry is 5050, so 4 motors)

Mostly cutting 1/2 inch EVA with this machine, but planning on cutting A LOT of it. Getting a vacuum system installed before I get too far into a mess.
From what I have been looking at, I would like to try running Mach3 and either CAMBAM or maybe Freemill if it will stop crashing SW on startup. From there, what is the order of electronics? Computer plugs into the Uno, which is wired up to the gShield that links out to the motors and spindle speed controller? Or can I skip one of the boards by running Mach3?

Thanks for any and all help!

[awerby]

I don't see why you want to use the aduino/grbl thing for a CNC router. If you do that, you're limited to 30v max https://github.com/synthetos/grblShi...-grblShield%3F , which in turn limits the performance of your stepper motors. A setup like that is fine for a 3D printer running NEMA 17 steppers, but it's underpowered for a router, which uses motors with a lot more inductance that in turn need more voltage.

If you've already got a 48v PS, get a G-540 from Geckodrives, and be done with it.

[ger21]

Mach3 sends step and direction signal directly to stepper drives. It will not control your Arduino. If your drives accept step and direction, then you can use them. Otherwise, you'll need new drives.

[Op:Fx]

I am basing the build off of the Xcarve, and it's the setup that that uses. Looking through the assembly instructions, the boards plug into each other and are pretty simply controlled using easel, which I don't plan on using, as i have already tried it and found its capabilities lacking. So the answer is that I could/should drop both boards that I have and run a breakout board and drivers with Mach3.

The speed controller will handle 48v, and the motors shouldn't be using anywhere near 30 volts during operation, as far as I know.

[ger21]

If you're using a 48V power supply for the spindle, you probably want to use another for your steppers.

I seriously doubt that a little spindle like that will last long, if you are using the machine a lot.

[awerby]

"The speed controller will handle 48v, and the motors shouldn't be using anywhere near 30 volts during operation, as far as I know."

The nameplate voltage on a NEMA 23 stepper motor doesn't have much relationship to the voltage it runs on most optimally. You can generally give it about 25 times as much, but the actual formula requires that you know its inductance. But if you give it too little voltage, it won't run as fast as it could, given more.

Like Ger, I'm skeptical about that cheap little spindle. Here's a tear-down review from a fellow who went through several of them in a short period of time; the prime directive in the design of these things apparently was cheapness, not durability, lack of runout or axial play, or prevention of RF interference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P5T...ature=youtu.be

I'd suggest using the 48v power supply to run the steppers, and finding a spindle you can plug into the wall.

[Op:Fx]

Thanks for the video, I had not found that one when i was researching the spindle (mentioning Inventables, but not the QC name I'm guessing).
We are cutting EVA with our machine, and we don't plan on doing any harder materials in near future. If/when the spindle fails out I will send it back and go back to looking for a better one- do you guys have a suggestions? I may just send it back and wait for a better one to arrive. The problem is getting one that we can afford while my own wallet powers the start-up.

ger- the spindle is running on a seperate PS.