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IndustryArena Forum > MetalWorking Machines > Benchtop Machines > RF-45 Clone Mill > Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    104

    Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    Greetings!

    I guess this is part introductory post and part first build thread (I hope) post. So I've been a member since 2010, purchases a PM-45 mill to learn and hopefully convert to CNC in 2012, and am finally getting around to prioritizing that as my main side project. I've done a little manual machining with it here and there, but find it a little frustrating without any sort of DRO on it like I have with the mills at my current job. There, I've used two different knee mills, one with just a DRO, and the other with an XY cnc conversion running prototrak software that I did get a chance to program once or twice.

    As for a little background about myself, I've been in the automotive industry for over 10 years, starting out in parts sales, then fabricating/welding, then technician/fabricator, and finally left that industry to work in aerospace. Fabricating and welding are great, however I've grown to love the precision and repeat-ability that can be had with machining. Which brings me to today--trying to take a fancy tool in my collection and upgrade it.

    My plans right now are as follows:

    -Buy and build the electronics portion of the machine
    -Bench test the above
    -Buy ball screws, nuts, and machine any brackets/spacers/etc needed to install on the machine
    -Machine grooves in the ways for oiling purposes while everything is apart, and add a 1 shot oiler at a later date. Plumb what I can in the meantime.
    -Use the mills at my job to do the above machining where possible and gain more seat time machining and with solidworks
    -Assemble, Test. Debug, Make cool stuff
    -Convert to belt drive, stronger motor, and VFD
    -Add power drawbar
    -Maybe convert to a different spindle and/or a Tormach Tooling setup

    Hopefully I'm on the right track here, which is the reason for my post. While I may have joined all the way back in 2010, I lurked once in a blue moon and then more so just recently. I looked at the CNCcookbook site and took in what I could and understood at the time. I also just read through gd.marsh's thread and had also read at one time jid2's build but now want to re-read them thinking I can take in more now that I have a better understanding. Unfortunately I don't know everything right now, and having a 3 month baby around doesn't let me get online anymore like I used to so this is where my questions come into play. At this point, I have the bug bad, and really want to start accumulating parts for the build but the direction of where to go and what to buy first I just don't know what's best yet. I've narrowed it down to the following two sources I believe are the way to go, so correct me if I'm wrong.

    -DMM Tech AC servo kit. I'd basically buy everything they have listed on their multi-axes kit page here, sans the power supply since I'd go with a 72v one instead
    DMM | CNC Systems | AC SERVO DRIVE | AC SERVO MOTOR | ROTARY ENCODER

    The other option is to piece together a kit through Keling/Automation Technologies since they seem to have everything whether I'd want to do stepper or servo.

    So while it's getting late, I'll try to sum it up and ask am I on the right track? Which would be the better choice? What is the difference between DC and AC servos other than one not needing to be converted from the power supply? Is it worth trying to go steppers to save a couple bucks? (More money for other mods) And if there's anything I'm forgetting please mention it.

    Thanks.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    104

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    Just another post to hopefully encourage some replies.

    Here's my machine hiding in the mess of some of my other tools tucked in the garage. My cardboard box chip shield can only help so much haha.
    Attachment 277338

    And then while doing some window shopping on Keling's site, here's what I've selected as a start. I'm not sure which USB board to go with, but I do know I'd like to not use the C10 or C11 boards offered in their kit. Any advice on either board?
    Attachment 277340

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    670

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    i think that usb card is redundant as the smoothstepper you have shown there comes with a breakout board.

    For what it's worth, I have a USB smoothstepper connected to a C10 breakout board in both my mill and lathe conversions, and I have no complaints to date.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    104

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    Right, I was just listing both usb boards but would only chose one. I'm also thinking of an Ethernet connection board now too. Too many options....

    Initially I see myself running the machine with my current laptop and then setting up a stand alone system that stays with the machine so I'm fine with either type of board above--just not one that uses a parallel port.

    In preparation for making ball screw bearing mounts, I just picked up a Shars boring head kit off ebay last night that should be coming this week. Time to start adding more to the collection than the standard clamp and vice kit that came with the machine.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    104

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    A couple goodies showed up today. I settled on the Nema34 1128 oz-in closed loop hybrid stepper motor kit and also went with the ethernet smooth stepper, which will also use the c10 board in the kit. The boring head also showed up, but no pics of it yet.Attachment 277986

    I also began drawing up the motor based off of the metric dimensions on Automations linked file but may start over now that the motor is in hand.
    Click image for larger version. 

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  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    670

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    same steppers i have. I think you'll like them.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    104

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    Are you running them as direct drive, or with a geared down belt and pulley setup? Right now I'm planning to do direct drive for the X and Y, but pulley for the Z along with gas strut assistance like I saw gd.marsh did.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    670

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    I'm running all axis on a belt. 2:1 for x and y and 3:1 for z

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    104

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    I decided to make my own enclosure so I can put that money towards other important parts. Luckily I had a sheet of 1/8" aluminum around from past protects as well as 1/16" steel that I'll be using as the insert panel. The layout will go something like this, leaving room for a 4th driver and then fuse and terminal bars.Click image for larger version. 

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  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    670

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    zebra pen FTW!

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    104

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    Robbing Peter to pay Paul, or something like that....I pulled apart my spindle and coolant switch housing last night hoping to find a 220 to 110 transformer. Right now my machine is ran on a 3 wire 220 outlet, so I thought it was stepped down for the light and the pump. Wrong. The light is 24v and the pump appears to be 220--i should have looked in my manual first. Either way, I was going to need that transformer in the box. Luckily, I do have a 4 wire 220 outlet in the garage that my machine can get it's neutral wire from and give me my 110 for the internal outlet.



    Click image for larger version. 

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  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    290

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    Who ever did the conversion on my mill had it setup with a 220 plug, and a handful of 110 plugs. I finally redid all of the electrical and wired it for a single 220 plug with a neutral. For the outlet, I just pulled new wire and added the neutral to my outlet. You could probably even just pull a neutral wire, and leave the rest.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    104

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    That's the plan-- there's only about 12' of conduit between the 220v source with a neutral wire and my machine's outlet. Should be easy to pull just one wire.

    Today I finished up the panel's mounting solution. I laid out everything, rough marked it, then cleaned things up with a square ruler. The nut rivet tools is one of my favorites in my collection! Click image for larger version. 

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  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    104

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    A little bit of progress. I have a DPST switching 220v relay coming tomorrow that will fill the empty spot in the middle area. Hopefully this week I can test out my wiring and see if a motor spins. Click image for larger version. 

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  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Posts
    6618

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    Looking good so far. You made some good choices with the electronics as well.
    I know enclosures are expensive, but I found a supply of nice ones at a very nice price too.
    LARGE WHITE ELECTRICAL ENCLOSURE

    I buy a lot of stuff from them and wish they would have had them when I was looking before.

    Good luck with it and I will stay tuned.
    Lee

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    104

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    Wow, that is almost too hard to pass up. I'm wondering just how tight of a fit my panel will be placing it inside since it's right on the money at 19" x 19" and so is the interior dimensions--unless they're counting the folded over lip at the doorway. I'll have to measure the driver height too and see where I'm at. What I was hoping for is making my enclosure 22" x 22" leaving enough room for any switches and fans hanging through to the inside, and now that I think about it I will have to probably pass on that panel. Right now I only get to work on this setup while at work during my breaks since it's sitting on my desk there. Not much time at home to do anything but take care of the kiddo.

    Speaking of room for the fans though, anyone have first hand experience with these?
    Quiet Cooling Fan System with Thermostat Control for Home Theater AV Cabinets | eBay

    And also, while wiring up what I could today, there was a 7th wire for the encoder extension cable that looked "bundled up" with heat shrink. I'm suspecting it's for shielding purposes but am not sure. Doesn't say anything in the driver wiring instructions that I can see.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    104

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    So this morning I went in to work extra early all excited like a kid on Christmas, thinking I could temporarily rig up the power supply to 110 and get things started. Well, that I did, and also successfully had 5v power going to the smoothstepper and BOB. I pulled my fuses to the drivers as well as unplugged the signal wiring going to the X axis driver just to make sure I setup the pin-outs right. At that point, I realized I didn't do enough homework to see what had to be configured in Mach4--software of which I have had no experience with, nor previous versions. I went into the stepper plugin and changed the I/O settings for just the X axis and I believe also changed some configuration with Mach, and the most I got was 5v at Pin 2 and 3, dropping to 0 if I pressed the left or right arrow keys. Otherwise there would be constant 5v between those pins and the common 5v in the middle.

    My BOB jumper is set for Pins 2-9 as outputs, and I wasn't sure where to set the pull up or down jumper--pulling up I believe is when I could get either 5v constant or 0v during arrow keys. I'll have to read more into settings later (baby needs me now) but if anyone can give some basic setup instructions regarding outputs, active lows, enables, etc, that would be helpful. Thanks.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    104

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    On the right track and have two motors turning--the third is at home so I couldn't wire it up temporarily.


  19. #19
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    104

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    Nothing too exciting to post, but there are some new things at least. I ordered a few things off of ebay for the enclosure, one being a fan, a power switch, emergency stop button, and xlr style connectors for motor wiring. I figured these things were pretty important in getting the enclosure figured out, holes cut, and important wiring mostly done. The fan just showed up today, while the other parts are most likely on the slow boat.......literally. The enclosure sheet metal I haven't touched in days, and the control board I added nut rivets to for the 220 relay but that's it. Everything should be coming off of that shortly for painting but I'm not sure how soon that will happen.
    Attachment 280366
    Attachment 280368
    Attachment 280370

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    104

    Re: Looking to pull the CNC conversion trigger

    I'm currently working on the enclosure as seen in the following pictures. Still left to do is drill holes at the rear face for XLR motor connectors, as well as route power supply to the work light and coolant pump. I'm thinking about using an XLR for the work light and have it detachable but for the coolant pump I believe that runs on 220v so I'll have to figure out what do do there. I don't think I can use an XLR for that type of power.

    Some things I'm missing and still waiting on for the front panel is a green power light for next to the coolant switch, an ethernet panel mount cable, and some spiral cable wrap.
    Attachment 282038
    Attachment 282040
    Attachment 282042
    Attachment 282044
    Attachment 282046

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