Mach3 reference

Quick ref
http://www.microproto.com/software.htm

Manual
http://www.machsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Mach3Mill_Install_Config.pdf

Bob Warfield custom screen
http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCMillCNCMachScreenset.htm

Prox sensors

Research for proximity sensors

The Omron proximity switches that are going to be implemented are 12V/24V E2E-X5MF2 which are PNP-NC (normally closed). Data sheet here

They were bought to replace some surplus E2E-X2ME1-M1 which are NPN - NO (normally open). 

The normally closed configuration is far easier to implement with the cnc4pc breakout board.

Circuit diagram for hookup:




My pin assignments for future reference:

Sensor cable > Cable strand # > task (Control box wire colour)
blue               >      1                > 0V (blue)
brown           >      2                 > +24V (yellow)
black             >      3                > signal (green)


Connecting 3-wire PNP outputs in series:



Note from www.ab.com:
Series connection of 3-wire PNP output devices requires each device in the series to supply power to the next device with the last device in the chain supplying power to the load. Because each device supplies power to the next, response time is equal to the response time of the first sensor plus the sum of the turn on times of the others. The output of each sensor must be capable of supplying the peak load currents of subsequent sensors plus the current of the load. To overcome the internal supply capacitance of subsequent sensors, a low value (10 ohm) resistor is sometimes required in series with each.



A few brackets and new holes in the column later and here is one half of the Z axis. I can get away with using only a single sensor with two adjustable stops made from stainless rod. I milled a flat on the sections of rod so that the sensor "sees" more material as it crosses the threshold; perhaps this is not necessary (but it looks nice).

In the bottom if the frame below you can see piece of green masking tape. This is a little trick I learned from some conservation staff in a museum where, for obvious reasons, dust control is a big deal. Whenever they drilled into a wall they would tape a pouch made from scrap paper or newspaper right underneath the hole to catch the dust before it fell onto the floor. No cleanup afterwards [hand slap to the forehead]!!! 

The next question is how to splice the sensor cables to extensions. The location of the connections is going to be within the work area of the mill which means, if coolant is going to be used, that they have to be watertight. One possibility for this are TE MiniSeal Splices.

Available from Mouser at a mere $2 a pop!

http://ca.mouser.com/_/?Keyword=miniseal+wire+splice&FS=True
The D-436-36 model is for 20-26 AWG wire.

Finished counter balance

Here is the finished system. The project was premised on the availability of close-assist springs - which turn out to be about five times the price of the 'regular' ones. So one redesign later...

The head weighs around 220lbs and the Z slide probably another 40 - 50lbs. The gas spring (from Mcmaster) has close to 10" of travel and a 225lb rating. However, the head travel is around 17", so I set the spring side up with an extra pulley to halve the travel, but at the expense of doubling the load; so the spring will actually see around 500lbs. In practice however, presumably because of the cumulative friction (the ways, chain and all the bearings) the system holds the head even when the stepper is not powered. I angled the chain away from the axis of the spring slightly with the intention of equalizing the radial loading. However, thinking about again, I'm not sure this was the best plan. The whole setup is adjustable so I may move the chain in further to reduce the angle or replace the single spring with a pair that are offset to generate stability in the weak axis. But if it ain't broke...

Other people's RF 45 projects

I set out this afternoon to research limit switches. I didn't find much, but I did come across some excellent projects that I hadn't seen before (but wish that I had looked at before starting this one!)

Rlberg (Bob Campbel?)'s conversion underway here: 

http://www.rlberg.com/RF45.html

Lots of good ideas and some very nice controller units.

And another here from JRouche on Home Shop Machinist (though this one has been running since 2006... so don't hold your breath :)

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/threads/58904-Enco-square-column-(RF-45-clone)-CNC-build/page5

Nice article from Graetech on upgrading the bearings in the spindle and gear box. 

http://www.graetech.com/index_files/Page975.htm

Another excellent conversion, though the site is hugely annoying - you have to be a member to look at images - wtf?

Would you believe it? Machinetoolswarehouse has a 3ø replacement motor for the MD001 for $149.... Hmmmmmm. 

https://www.machinetoolswarehouse.com/xcart/catalog/Motor-3-phase-2-hp-p-16246.html?keep_https=yes

Clever Dutch guy with air tool power draw bar, spindle lock and drill stop.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4oL-XcKPiKg&feature=related&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D4oL-XcKPiKg%26feature%3Drelated

Counter balance

As with quite a few of these mini-projects for the conversion, a big part of the challenge is figuring out a temporary solution for problems that require the machine itself to resolve permanently. The counterweight system is a case in point. I didn't have anything conveniently shaped and heavy enough to offset the mass of the head. So instead, I put together a Rube Goldbergesque arrangement of improvised pulleys (shackles with bits of tube for rollers) and some more plywood scraps to make a block and tackle. This part worked fine, generating more than enough resistance with a single piece of 1" steel plate.

The idler sprockets directly above the Z-slide proved more troublesome. There is no space to put an axle all the way through as the support posts for the stepper mount interfere. Consequently, the sprockets have to be bolted onto the mounting plates creating a cantilever condition which generates enough torque to significantly bend the 1/2" birch plywood. Even with an F-clamp installed, the bending was enough to make the chain start to misfeed occasionally!

Still, it works well enough to actually cut parts using all three axes for the first time. 

The first parts cut are of course the necessaries for the permanent version of the counter-balance system.