[cowanrg]

Thanks! I have a lot of 'instructional' videos planned (sprinkled in with projects I'm doing), and they're the videos I would want to see if I was thinking about buying the mill, so yeah, I get what they're doing. It's great for the community.

[cowanrg]

NOTE!

I made a mistake, the feet are in fact M12-1.75. They are just so close to 1/2-13 that I got them confused. 1/2-13 MIGHT work, but M12-1.75 is the right size, sorry about that!

[dammachines]

However, I've done a lot of videos through the electronics company SparkFun Electronics.

HA! I read this, looked to the left and saw your avatar, and immediately recognized THE BEARD! After having watched your Sparkfun New Product videos for years, it's good to see you back on YouTube Rob.

Funny seeing you here on CNCZone, but it's always good seeing someone else who likes to play on both the mechanical and electrical side of things!

Dave

[cowanrg]

HA! I read this, looked to the left and saw your avatar, and immediately recognized THE BEARD! After having watched your Sparkfun New Product videos for years, it's good to see you back on YouTube Rob.

Funny seeing you here on CNCZone, but it's always good seeing someone else who likes to play on both the mechanical and electrical side of things!

Dave

Thanks! Interesting fact... I was a member on CNC Zone years before I ever worked for SparkFun. CNC is my original passion.

[cowanrg]

Hello again everyone. I have another video done today. This one shows some of the final setup and also a look inside the control cabinet.

[tmarks11]

It is interesting that Tormach has gone with a 3 axis stepper motor controller instead of having separate drivers for each axis. Advantage: saves space. Disadvantage? If you ever burn up a driver, it is going to cost more to replace.

[cowanrg]

Yeah, I was a little surprised by that too. But then again, it is an economical option. Notice there's not a breakout board in there... That's gotta save a lot of cost. I'm really curious how the 4th axis and other accessories will work. I plan on getting the 4th axis once it comes out, so I'll find out soon enough.

[Gilmax]

It is interesting that Tormach has gone with a 3 axis stepper motor controller instead of having separate drivers for each axis. Advantage: saves space. Disadvantage? If you ever burn up a driver, it is going to cost more to replace.

No need to speculate on actual facts.The leadshine website states, "The MX3660 adopts modular designs. If any of the three stepper drive modules malfunctions, a user can simply replace it with a Leadshine SDM660 stepper drive module at minimal cost." Now for the speculation, Tormach will likely just add another SDM660 drive for 4th axis.

[LeeWay]

Those are nice drives.
I have the MX4660 on my plasma cutter and it does a great job.

[cowanrg]

Gilmax, good find. Looks like you'd have to completely open up the MX3660 and swap out the board. Not a big deal, but obviously more work than if they used 3 separate driver boards. However, I doubt you'd be able to add an SDM660, seeing as the MX3660 doesn't have the room or cutouts for an extra board. Here's a better idea of what they will probably do:

[tmarks11]

Notice there's not a breakout board in there...

wow, missed that.

Interesting to see Tormach going with the "generic" solution instead of their personally designed/procured BOB. Definitely cuts down on wiring.

The modular design is cool; I didn't realize that it contained user-replaceable components.

Quick google shows a picture of the modules inside the MX3660:



Picture sourced from Andrew's superior G0704 build thread:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bencht...6-forum-5.html

[cowanrg]

Yeah, I was curious about that too (the MX4660). The price difference is about $60. I'm sure they figured out how many customers end up buying a 4th axis kit. I bet only 10% of people end up getting a 4th axis, so adding an extra $60 cost to cover the 10% wasn't worth it? The suggested driver is about $100 retail (DM556) and is probably very similar to what they already use in the 4th axis kits. Since they already carry a single-axis motor driver, might as well just use that for the upgrade.

[LeeWay]

I would think they have a plan for it.
It's still pretty new, so all the info isn't out yet. They may have the MX4660 as an option later on.

[cowanrg]

Hey guys, I'm back with another video!

I decided to do some mods that will only make using the machine better for future videos. Also, dubstep. Check it out:

[LeeWay]

Great video as always. Lighting is a necessity for sure.
Nice mods as well.
I do have a question though.
Why doesn't the controller shut down by itself?
I haven't opened my controller cabinet since I installed the front panel mount USB port.
I need to do this to check that the dust content though just as maintenance.

When I shut down, I get a screen on PP that says it's safe to turn off the machine power now.
Does yours not do this?

Likewise when I crank up, I just turn the power on and the computer boots too.

[cowanrg]

I get the screen that says it's safe to shut off, but the computer isn't connected to the controller, other than the DB25. Is the computer's power supply plugged into the controller? If so, that's what's happening. When you turn on your controller, it turns on the computer, and when you turn off the controller, it cuts power to pathpilot.

[LeeWay]

Right.
The lathe has several receptacles in back that are labelled. One is for the computer/controller. Is that not how the 440 works?

[cowanrg]

I'll check when I get home. There is one plug coming out the back, but I assumed that was for the flood coolant. I'll check, but I think that's the only one.

[LeeWay]

I didn't think the 440 was setup for flood coolant. Maybe a mister? Of course, you are in a better position to know that than I am.

[cowanrg]

The 440 does have an optional flood coolant kit, check the product page for the deluxe kit:

35684 - PCNC 440 Deluxe Package w/Stand

I haven't received it yet because it was backordered. But it should show up soonish.