Taking the CNC Plunge

[TomS]

Im thinking that this is a mod I want to do sooner than later Now if only my ball screws would hurry up and get here!

It's worth doing sooner than later. Machining aluminum with a 1/4" carbide end mill at 1970 rpm will test your patience. I've had my mill running under CNC for about 1-1/2 years and immediately saw a need for higher rpm. Should have listened to recommendations by others on this site but went the auxiliary spindle route and soon discovered that, although workable, didn't work well machining steel and end mills larger than 1/4". Good luck with your conversion and please post pictures. We're voyeurs when it comes to machinery.

Tom S.

 

[Davd Flowers]

It's worth doing sooner than later. Machining aluminum with a 1/4" carbide end mill at 1970 rpm will test your patience. I've had my mill running under CNC for about 1-1/2 years and immediately saw a need for higher rpm. Should have listened to recommendations by others on this site but went the auxiliary spindle route and soon discovered that, although workable, didn't work well machining steel and end mills larger than 1/4". Good luck with your conversion and please post pictures. We're voyeurs when it comes to machinery.

Tom S.

I know all too well about having patience. The g0704 lacks rpms as well, and its lack of rigidity keeps it from swinging the larger endmills I can run in my bridgeport. I added a auxiliary spindle to it, but that was for running a .010" endmill for some engraving work. I apologize for the bit of a thread derail, but offer some pics as atonement.

 

[TomS]

I know all too well about having patience. The g0704 lacks rpms as well, and its lack of rigidity keeps it from swinging the larger endmills I can run in my bridgeport. I added a auxiliary spindle to it, but that was for running a .010" endmill for some engraving work. I apologize for the bit of a thread derail, but offer some pics as atonement.

Nice medallion! I've got a couple of hot rods. What do you have?

Here's a pic of my auxiliary spindle.

Tom S.



Super PID speed controller gets me down to 5000 rpm.

 

[Davd Flowers]

This is my current project....

 

[Davd Flowers]

This is my Dads, we finished it up a couple years ago.

 

[TomS]

This is my Dads, we finished it up a couple years ago.

Nice cars! Really like the 40. Built a few over the years too. These are my current wheels in storage for the winter.

Built in 1996. Had so much fun in it we wore out the first engine.


This is the work in progress. Mechanically done. Paint and interior next on the agenda.

 

[Davd Flowers]

Nice, I especially like the 32

 

[TomS]

I've had my VFD and belt drive conversion running for a few months now and am pleased with the results. Speeds and feeds are now where they should be and surface finishes are improved as are machining times. Now it's time for phase 2 of the conversion: PMDX-126 BoB, PMDX-107 spindle control board and ethernet smoothstepper.

I've got the BoB, spindle controller and ESS mounted in an enclosure and currently wiring the components. Thank God for Google! Pictures to follow. One question I have is in regards to wiring my drivers (DQ860MA and DQ2722) to the BoB. I've got the step, direction and com wiring figured out but the enable wire from the driver has me puzzled. I've read the PMDX manual several times as well as the AN002 bulletin and associated flyer on whether to enable or not to enable. From what I understand the enable signal is a 5vdc signal to the driver to lock the motors in position during startup. Is this correct? If yes, then I can connect the enable wire to the PC+5V terminal at the BoB? Am I on the right path?

I'm sure more questions will come up as I work my way through.

Thanks,

Tom S.

 

[jbolt]

Sorry Tom I cannot help. I don't use the enable wire on my machines. Never saw the need.

I believe you use the "PC ground" on the connector but I'm not sure how you set that up.

You might try searching the PMDX forums or posting a question. Steve is pretty good at responding.

 

[TomS]

Sorry Tom I cannot help. I don't use the enable wire on my machines. Never saw the need.

I believe you use the "PC ground" on the connector but I'm not sure how you set that up.

You might try searching the PMDX forums or posting a question. Steve is pretty good at responding.

Thanks Jay. I was hoping you saw my post. Nothing on the PMDX forums relating to my question. I'll sign up and post it there.

I've got the wiring done. Next steps are to make sure the jumpers and dip switches are set correctly and double check my wiring. Then it's onto Mach and ESS configuration and testing. I'm sure I'll have more questions.

Tom S.