[1Jumper10]

Thanks.
While waiting for the machine shop, I've had time to finalize the rest of the design. Hopefully when I get the parts back and I have time to work on it, it will be warm weather. Time well spent I guess.

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[ger21]

The warm weather starts tomorrow.

[1Jumper10]

Yes! And may I say it's about time 😀

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[1Jumper10]

Just got back from Winford. I picked up a relay board and they helped me make 25 pin cables. The 5v power from the MB2 board is on pin 26(??) so it's not connected to the UC300ETH. It will get its 5v power from a DC - DC converter off the 24vdc power supply. I decided not to piggyback the UC300 on top of the MB2. Just because I had the room in my cabinet layout to spread it out. I might mount it to a bracket, or I could even mount the UC 300 board on the side of the cabinet instead of the back. Either way, I can see the MB2 clearly.

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[ger21]

I didn't know that Winford had a retail store.

Do you plan on using the UC300ETH analog inputs for FRO and Spindle Override? I got one of these to connect my pots.
https://www.winford.com/products/brk2x8.php

[1Jumper10]

They don't. They're just not too far away and buying directly saves shipping so when I drop by they are more than willing to help me out. They're interested in my CNC machine and how I'm using their products so we talk quite a bit.

Ref the analog inputs: That's for connecting a potentiometer to manually control speeds or feeds right? I plan on just doing that through software only. I guess I am probably going to need to connect to the analog port to... I'll have to go back to winford again. I was curious why you were doing it that way. Is it useful for controlling how the machine is cutting?

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[ger21]

It's nice if you want to speed up or slow down the feedrate, or the spindle, while you're cutting.
You can always use the buttons or sliders on the screen, but turning knobs is a lot nicer, imo.

Have you tried out your gearboxes yet? I'm going to buy some chinese gearboxes that say less than 8arc min. With the ServoBelt system I'm building, that translates to about .0015" of backlash, I think. They're only $100 each, but to get better costs about $250 each. I can always buy the better ones later if I need to.

[manofmanyhats]

It's nice if you want to speed up or slow down the feedrate, or the spindle, while you're cutting.
You can always use the buttons or sliders on the screen, but turning knobs is a lot nicer, imo.

Have you tried out your gearboxes yet? I'm going to buy some chinese gearboxes that say less than 8arc min. With the ServoBelt system I'm building, that translates to about .0015" of backlash, I think. They're only $100 each, but to get better costs about $250 each. I can always buy the better ones later if I need to.

Do you have a link to those $250 gearboxes? I'd like to read about them.

[ger21]

60mm Servo Motor Nema24 Planetary Gearbox Ratio 5:1 3ARCMIN Speed Reducer CNC | eBay

[1Jumper10]

I have not tried out my gearboxes other than to grab the input and the output shafts and try to discern if there's any backlash. They feel very tight. Judging from their spec sheet, nominal output torque-> 354lb/in, they are very heavy duty and claim less than 10 arc mins of backlash. I'm assuming that backlash measurement is worst case scenario( 664 lb/in accel torque) when driven to their max capability. I wont be getting near their limits with my build so I'm hoping that its better than that. When its built if its not something I can live with I was considering two options: absolute position feedback from a linear encoder or, buying new low backlash gear boxes. The first option would probably mean a true servo and driver other than the Clearpath's. Second option is just bolt in place but expensive. We'll see but I'm pretty optimistic at this point.

What size and ratio gearbox were you looking for? I got a 16:1 planetary from ebay seller nevadasurplus-com just because no one had bid on the auction and it was a good gearbox at a stupid low price. I cant use it but if you can your welcome to have it.
Its just like this one except he's jacked up the price now but he has more than 10 available:
GAM Gear FP Precision 16:1 Inline Planetary Gearbox / Gearhead / Servo Reducer! | eBay

I would have got my gearboxes from this guy:
Onvio AL Series Planetary Gearbox, NEMA34, 4:1 Ratio, AL-034-004-12-090-140-B-N | eBay

But I needed 10:1 and he only has 4:1. we texted back and forth and he seems like a good guy and he's in your neck of the woods. Might be an option.

[1Jumper10]

Just for comparison in case you have to buy new; I got a quote for a brand new 10:1, low backlash gearbox, NEMA 34 from a vendor recommended by Teknic and it was ~$600.

[ger21]

Yes, good new ones are crazy expensive. I have a pair of zero backlash that are 21:1. I'm going to end up using 1 for a rotary axis, and keep the second one for a backup. I think that they are over $1000 each new.
Ideally I want to get 10:1.
However, the AC servos I'm using require gearboxes like the one I linked to, that accept a 14mm shaft, and have a 50mm boss that fits into the gearbox. So, I'm going to go with these to start. Ratio 10:1 Nema24 60mm Servo Motor Planetary Gearbox Reducer 8ARCMIN CNC | eBay

[1Jumper10]

I'd say with the price of buying new that's a good call. If they work that's great, if they don't you're not out much. They look like quality units in the pic. The manufacturer took the extra step of laser engraving the brand and model info on it. To me that's a good sign.

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[1Jumper10]

Does anyone have any recommendations for type or vendor for cable for spindle power? I need 16ga/4 or 14ga/4 conductor cable suitable for use on a router. So far I'm mostly turning up trailer cable, home audio cable and SOOW(??) cable. I want to avoid the plenum rated in wall cable since it just does not un coil.
The max cable outside diameter I can use is .40". .30" is nominal.

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[ger21]

Igus CF35-15-04 or CF31-15-04

[louieatienza]

Does anyone have any recommendations for type or vendor for cable for spindle power? I need 16ga/4 or 14ga/4 conductor cable suitable for use on a router. So far I'm mostly turning up trailer cable, home audio cable and SOOW(??) cable. I want to avoid the plenum rated in wall cable since it just does not un coil.
The max cable outside diameter I can use is .40". .30" is nominal.

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McMaster sells the stuff rated for continual flex called igus chain flex...

Edit, Gerry beat me to it...

[1Jumper10]

Hmmm... Little too much new for a DIY machine.

Found some of this on eBay for $1/ft
https://secure.libertycable.com/prod...14-4-OASH-BLUE

It's got similar properties to the Igus cable and the price is right. If it's not suitable I'm not out that much money.
The E- chain bending radius is pretty gradual so it won't live that hard a life.

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[ger21]

Everything I've ever read says it need to be shielded....

[louieatienza]

Everything I've ever read says it need to be shielded....

According to their spec sheet, it is shielded. Also according to their spec sheet, it is only rated to 300V, so it may not be a good solution for a spindle/VFD...

[ger21]

OK, the picture in the spec pdf is different than the one on the main page.
However, it's speaker wire.....