[wahid]

Hello

I purcahsed an old Dahlgren CNC Engraving machine from another member. I don't have the original controller. I want to convert it to CNC Router so I can machine aluminum with something like Mach 3. It seems to have a very nice ball screws for X and Y axis. Not too sure about the Z? axis. The table is very heavy maybe 100 lbs.

I would really appreciate some help!

1. Is this thing any good?

2. Can I re-use these old stepper motors or do I need new ones? If so which ones?

3. I bought an eBay 3-Axis stepper controller. I have read that I need an USB motion controller between the PC and the stepper controller to "smooth out" the cutting. Which USB motion controller should I get?

5. What elese do I need ?



Thank you,

Wahid

[wahid]

My Dahlgren also came with this CNC board.

From what I have read, is ther a little cheaper alternative to the SmoothStepper ?

Thank you,

Wahid

[amishx64]

From what I have read, is ther a little cheaper alternative to the SmoothStepper ?

One common method is to use the parallel port of a PC either by finding a PC with one or adding one with a PCI expansion card (google: parallel port PCI).

Edit: Which, I should note, is what the board you posted appears to use.

[wahid]

amishx64,

I have several PC's with parallel port so this is not a problem. I have read that these kind of borad will not give me smooth movement and thus smooth finish. In addition, it would be nice to use my laptop which has USB and Ethernet ports.

Do I really need a separate motion controller if I have a good PC ?

Is there a motion controller with USB/Ethernet that can interface with this board ?

Is there a motion controller with all-in-one solution with built-in stepper drive ?

I found this eBay. Is this all-in-one ?

Thanks for your help !


Features and specifications:

works on MacOS X (Snow Leopard 10.6.3) with virtual machine emulating Windows XP SP3
USB (V2.x) from PC/Laptop running Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 (32 bit or 64bit)
motor driver connector pin-out is compatible with 10 pin open source interface (Linistepper, PICStep)
controller works with most step/dir stepper and servo motor drivers available on the market
buffered IO for maximum performance
advanced interpolation algorithms
start, stop, pause and resume execution of program on your machine
standard RS274/NGC G-code (EMC2 compatible)
advanced G-codes - G40, G41, G42 (Cutter Radius Compensation) supported
advanced G-codes - G43, G49 (Tool Length Offsets) supported
advanced G-codes - G54, G59.3 (Coordinate System Origins) supported
tested with SolidCAM, MasterCAM, ArtCAM, Vectric, CamBam, MeshCAM ... generated G-code
Profili 4-axes and 3-axes G-code supported
import toolpath from DXF files
import toolpath from PLT/HPGL files
import toolpath from image files
import toolpath from NC-Drill (Excellon) files
import toolpath from Gerber (RS-274X) files
toolpath simulation
automatic homing procedure
advanced toolchange procedures
automatic tool length measuring
export toolpath to G-code
export toolpath to DXF
SDK (software developers kit) is available

4 axes USB CNC controller:

25 kHz maximum step frequency
3 digital outputs (flood, mist, spindle)
12 us minimum pulse width
manual jog inputs for all axes
limit inputs for all axes
control external devices with I2C protocol

[amishx64]

Do I really need a separate motion controller if I have a good PC ?

I would say, judging by others' machines that the answer to that is no. There seem to be quite a few people using PCs with PP ports with good results, but it isn't always a straightforward path. I have also heard of problems with SmoothStepper as well as good results, so I can't tell you definitively which is better. I am personally planning on using a PP port with my machine, but If I run into issues, I will find another solution. It looks like the PP is going to work for me though, and I get good MACH3 driver test results, and high kernel speeds with few problems.

Is there a motion controller with all-in-one solution with built-in stepper drive ?

Not that I know of, but there very well may be. Someone else please chime in on this... I think that you mean a 'turn-key' electronics solution - something you could search the forum for.

I found this eBay. Is this all-in-one ?

It looks like it is, but it still won't replace your PC. You also need to consider what drivers to control with the board, the steppers/servos, estop, limit switches, charge pump, and all the associated wiring.
In my experience, buyers never a good warranty/support when buying Chinese products from eBay, and ESPECIALLY Chinese electronics. (That is not to say there aren't good companies out there.) Chinese CNC equipment + eBay generally gets a bad rap here on the Zone and I would tend to agree with the consensus, having bought cheap electronics myself. The ability to get support through the manufacturer or community should be a consideration especially for people new to CNC because most will likely need it at one point or another.

I hope this helps. I'm sorry I can't give specific "A is better than B" type answers, but there are a lot of variables to nail down.

[wahid]

Well, since I ready have this board, I might as well use it and give it a shot and see what happends with parallel port.

I also have a good laptop. Do you know if any of those USB to Parallel converter works with these boards?

Thanks

Wahid

[amishx64]

Do you know if any of those USB to Parallel converter works with these boards?

I do know that people have tried, but unsuccessfully. I haven't seen anyone successfully using one for CNC purposes.

[Lee DeRaud]

I would say, judging by others' machines that the answer to that is no. There seem to be quite a few people using PCs with PP ports with good results, but it isn't always a straightforward path. I have also heard of problems with SmoothStepper as well as good results, so I can't tell you definitively which is better. I am personally planning on using a PP port with my machine, but If I run into issues, I will find another solution. It looks like the PP is going to work for me though, and I get good MACH3 driver test results, and high kernel speeds with few problems.

The parallel-port setup seems to be the default mainstream solution for DIY machines. I went with the Smoothstepper for two main reasons:
(1) The parallel port driver that works with Mach3 is 32-bit only, at least at the present time. (I'm under the impression that there is zero effort being made toward a 64-bit version, but I may be wrong.)
(2) Parallel ports are becoming ever rarer as standard equipment. While there are add-on PP boards available, they also are becoming rare, with additional compatability issues with modern motherboards and OSs (see #1).
Clearly, if budget is the only consideration, an older 'Craigslist' PC and a moderate amount of hacking will get you started, but at $150-$200, the Smoothstepper is dirt cheap compared to the potential time wasted flailing around getting a semi-obsolete computer/OS to work and maintaining it going forward.

[wahid]

Will my board work with Smooth Stepper?

Is Smooth Stepper the only game in town for this type of board?

Thanks

[Lee DeRaud]

at

Will my board work with Smooth Stepper?

Is Smooth Stepper the only game in town for this type of board?

Thanks

From the CNC end, the SmoothStepper looks just like a parallel port, so you shouldn't have any problems. (Well, no additional problems anyway: I'm under the impression you're short a good bit of the docs for your existing hardware.)

There is also the one from PlanetCNC...its main difference is that it uses its own controller software rather than plugging into Mach3. I expect others will join the party as time goes on.

[wahid]

Lee DeRaud, what do you think about the Steppers on this machine?

Wahid

[Lee DeRaud]

Lee DeRaud, what do you think about the Steppers on this machine?

Well, they're certainly round...

I'm not a stepper-motor expert and you probably already know more about them than I do.

[wahid]

These 30 years old motors are rated at 3.4VDC & 2.9A and they are 6 wire.

Wondering if they if they are NEMA 23 ?

Wahid

[Lee DeRaud]

Wondering if they if they are NEMA 23 ?

Measure the mounting holes: for NEMA23, they should be 4mm holes on 47mm centers.
(AFAIK, "NEMA23" is strictly a mechanical standard and says nothing about the electrical or performance aspects of the motor.)

[wahid]

I just measured the motors and the spacing is 47mm between hole centers.

Wahid