I joined this site a long time ago when I got interested in CNC machining but I ended up having to focus on things like School and work for the past few years. I just ordered the mechanical kit to build a Shapeoko and I am now waiting for it to be shipped to me (60days ). Honestly it seems like little has changed in the world of DIY CNC machines except for their being a whole lot more people into it now. So now that I have my first machine on the way I could use some help on selecting the electronics for it.
Here are my plans.
- Build shapeoko to learn basics of mechanical, electrical and CAD/CAM involved.
- Build stuff
- Modify Shapeoko to be a much more useable size or build a second machine.
- Build more stuff
- One day have a 4'X8' table machine
Because I have plans to go larger I think I might want to buy larger stepper motors and a nicer controller. Here are my questions.
- this machine can handle NEMA 23 motors on the X and Y axis, I was thinking I should get large motors so I could use them later. Weight seems like it would be a limiting factor. Can I use large enough motors to be later used on a much bigger table?
-If I can't use large enough motors to use on a much bigger table later, are there other benefits to using larger motors? What oz/in should I be looking at?
- The machine uses a Nema 17 for Z axis but could easily be modded to to work with a NEMA 23 motor, is it worthwhile? Currently I don't think so
- A lot of the guys are using arduino shields and AtomCNC boards. I was thinking about spending the money on a used Gecko G540. My issue is that I don't have a computer with a parallel port and I don't plan to buy one. I have been told that I can use a DB25 break out board with the G540 and connect to an arduino. Can someone tell me the pros and cons here and if there is some other option I should consider? I don't understand why Gecko would even still be producing anything that works with a port standard as dead as a parallel port. Is there a new product that has replaced it as the standard?
-is there anything else I should be researching or shopping for?
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