My little machine shop mini mill build.

Always been wanting to learn cnc so since it is my B-day thought i would order the mill and components to build one.
I order the mini mill from
HiTorque Mini Mill, Solid Column with Precision Tooling Package - LittleMachineShop.com

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l8...ps25123e86.jpg

Motors and drive from
G540 3-Axis NEMA23 381oz in PSU48V/7.3A | Automation Technology Inc

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l8...psb18ed3c9.jpg

I also order some other odd and ends from other places mainly consumables.

initial motor run

http://youtu.be/lF08iJHgW8E

on the E-stop circuit, is it better to put it on the ac side of the power supply or on the dc side?

You want the E-Stop action to cut power to the drivers, and spindle. Most boards and/or drivers have an enable pin, which must be on for the amp to turn on. Also, most boards have a connection for the E-Stop signal. Breaking this enable signal will stop motion. In the case of the Mach3 control signal, if the computer program is not on, and in control of the system, the enable signal will be disconnected through the charge pump relay. This is a safety feature, to prevent motors and spindle from starting up before the program is on, and in control of the outputs.
John

I have it to kill all power going to the power supply.
I figure it will stop everything if there is a problem.

Love that little mill. Might be one in my future someday. Are you going to post a build thread here so we can follow your progress?

Chuck

Yes I plan to post pictures and some videos while I am building it.
And most likely will have question when doing it.

Waiting on the screws to arrive from cncfusion.
The look like they will be at my local UPS center tonight but not scheduled to be delivered till Tuesday. I am going to check in the moring if they are not going to be delivered till tuesday I am going to call and see if i can pick them up.

Still waiting for the screws to show up.
Forgot I had a Tachometer to install so i added it today.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l8...psb4f6f0d5.jpg

Got it from
Macpod Software: Hacking the SX2 Mini Mill - (Adding a reverse switch and reverse engineering the tachometer port protocol)

Now if the ups guy would get here with the screws and I will be happy.

Got it together, had some issues with the mounts but have a couple temporary fixes. waiting for a reply from cncfusion on them.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l8...psd70f3fda.jpg

I'll take a video tomorrow, think i got a little confused on the + and - direction of the x and y axis.
Then my keyboard keeps disconnecting and was being a pain in the ass. It went flying across the shop into the trash can.

Got the first cnc run by the computer.it is just a air cut to see if I am close with the settings.

http://youtu.be/BwBX6u2jmlg

had some issues ended up messing the drive up had to send it back for repair.
Also order a second drive incase i mess it up again.

Well my finished first cnc carve on my mini mill.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l8...psfxgqfmvl.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l8...pseb1rlz7l.jpg


Took the image from Google.
Used Inkscape to create a .dxf file
loaded it in CamBam to generate the g code.
Open gcode in Mach 3 to create the carve.


Only 2 days to figure out how to do a simple 4x4, 2 min carve.

But learned lot doing it.

my next attempt
short video of it running,
took image from google
converted into .dxf file,
used Cambam to produce gcode
mach 3 to run.

This time about 30 mins from finding image converting it to finished cut.
http://youtu.be/NQGbipoOyJc


I did get a lot of help from the members of CamBam and mach 3 forums to get my mill running.
I do have a ton to learn and i don't think everything is set up correctly.
It works and the issues probably will be figured out as i go along.
Reason i am staying with wood for now.