Well I have been working on other projects other than just the LL Projectors, For those of you who are not in chat (where i have talked about it) here is the rundown.

First of all i had build a simple and cheap CNC Machine for one purpose only, to be able to machine parts for my New CNC Machine I am building now.

here is the 1st machine..

more

OK now that I built the 1st one I was able to learn the software and working of CNC, then came the task of drawing up plans, I got a set of free plans, but the machine was for an CNC machine that had an even smaller cutting area than the 1st one i built this would not do me, so I sat Down and redrew it all to a much larger machine, This one will have a cutting area of around 25"x45" (to be finally determaned when finished). After I got it all modeled the way I wanted it came the task of starting to manufacture all the parts.

So now here are the parts I have dome thus far for your enjoyment and questions are open. Here is a screen capture of the model.

Now I will try to post the pics in an order of build if possible. and also one ot two from 1st machine making parts.

more pics

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Here is the Gantry, second pic you can see it sitting on my 1st one for size.

.......

and now this is what i have as of today.

Here is the Solid works file saved as an e-drawing that you can view 360deg. You can compair it to the pics above and see the identifying parts.

You will need the solid works free e-drawing viewer from here.

http://www.solidworks.com/pages/products/e.../eDrawings.html


And Link to my e-drawing

http://www.lumenlab.com/~joe2000chevy/CNC/...NC_Machine.EASM

Thanks, Joe

good <bleep> joe .....

out of curiosity, how deep/wide/long will your first machine cut??

how much did it cost??

Is your second machine using the same motors/stepper controllers, rails ect (basically have you just milled out a new frame/table of your new machine?)

When i measure it is Solidworks it works out to be 27" x 45 x 4"

Right now i have about 120.00 into it as you see it sitting.

I am going to try to use the same motors, The controlor board yes will be the same.

Also after i have it done, I will be able to cut a Kit for others who might be inetrested in building one, and they can have some place to go to for help from someone who has already built this CNC machine and see it in action.


Joe

So you are considering offering your better machine as a kit ......

Oddly though your first machine seems to be made of metal, obviously it doesnt have as wide a cut as your newer design, but it seems to be more proffesional and longer lasting ...

did you just convert something over with that first machine ...

sorry for the newb question, im just finding it difficult to find a place to jump in with both feet!!

Sure no problem with questions that how we all learn, no the 1st machine is all wood, just painted parts with alumn hammered paint but then gave up on that because i wanted to finish it to get going on the better one, (Kinda like the old days make a machine to build a better machine). Yes I will be offering a Kit of the New Machine, It is a very solid construction.

Fantastice pictures and work done on this project Joe. Thanks for your patience and for answering all the questions, in chat and in here.

You know that this is something that I really want, so all you need to do is tell me where to send the money and I'm lined up for a kit

That's awesome Joe!!! I was wondering what a good DIY project would be to tackle next since my PJ is just about complete. Thanks to you, looks like I may have one. Awesome.

Edit: Curious, you wouldn't happen to be near the Dallas area would ya Joe?

I live in San Antonio

Here is a final drawing of what it is going to look like..

and if you have the Solidworks free e-drawing viewer you can view a 360 deg. of it here.....

http://www.lumenlab.com/~joe2000chevy/cnc/...NC_Machine.EASM

This is something I have a strong interest in. Is that the same kit from HobbyCNC? There are a lot of things I've thought about doing with automation. Cutting materials in contruction of buildings, making printed circuit boards, mural painting, thermal cutting with nichrome wire, electronics pick and place assembly with machine vision... The possibilities are endless. It's a great DIY project that could get people into their own business at a comparatively low cost to commercial systems with more configurability. I like how you said "make a machine to build a better machine". Oh! What software do you use for CNC? Programming in windows is one of my biggest weak points, and I don't see myself ever programming for it.

Almost forgot! I just recently tried soldering aluminum with Alumite that I got off ebay to try. It works really well for those interested.

Anyone happen to know the history of C.N.C.? And know the defacto standard for that acronym? There's so many variants out there that make it more complicated than LED. It'd be nice to be able to search for three letter acronyms here.

Glad to hear you interested in CNC Machine (Computer Numericaly Comtrolled), Yes this New machine I am building will be what is called on a shoe string budget, However will also be a stout machine. Now it is not made to cut steel or anything like that, but it will be able to cut better and more perciece than my 1st machine.

Yes the board i have is from Hobbycnc.com, Dave there is very helpful as well as he has a user group just for hobbycnc on yahoo which is very active and you can get help there with simple search, But the with the step by step instructions that come with it, I did not need help, But saince i have done it i can help here also.

I am Using EMC with linux, I know nothing about Linux so i was leary of using it, There is a Special Linux install called BDI-4.20 i believe is the latest, (Brain Dead Install (they also have an IRC channel you can get on to get instant help)) I made a Dual boot on a machine, Loaded the DBI and edited the ini file for the CNC software, and works like a charm. (Not bad for free) the closet Windows Base Program I found that woorks as well as EMC is MACH2 and MACH3 which sells for 150.00, IMO those two are the leading Software to use in the Hobby world, (Hobby: meaning Home use as well as light commercial).

Yes the Uses for the CNC machine are only limited to Size of cutting area (Thats why I'm building this one with a cutting area of about 27" x 45 x 4") and it is also limited to ones imagination

I am Hopping to see alot of Interest from people here as maybe their Next project, and also Maybe Use it to Build a better projector for themselves.

I will be Offering a Kit For this new machine after i build it, and test its performance, (I really have no doubt it will work well)

Thanks, Joe

Good job Joe! Art who made Mach 1,2,3 based the code from EMC. He wanted a Windows type program as good as EMC, and he succeeded!

On my g-code post you used a simulator on my code. What was the simulator called?

put me on the list Joe, I would love to have one of these, maybe 2, one for me and one for my dad.

i would really only need the wood, and then instructions on where to find the other parts, I would hate to pay for shipping twice and have you go through more work than you have to

http://www.metacut.com/

try this one its works good.

Yes FoamCows thats my plan to include the wood and the plastic (UHMW) adjustment blocks and the bearing assembly, the pipes, any angle iron can be baught at any harware store. that way shipping is cut down in price.

Hi Joe, another newbie here! I wanted to know, what other materials would one need to purchase in addition to your kit? Thanks!

You'd need a driver board, servos or stepper motors, gas piping, roller skate bearings, angle aluminum, leadscrews or ballscrews, fasteners, lots of time and patience, a router, bits, and some ballscrew or leadscrew bearings.

Also a power supply.

Not to mention the software side of this. PC, CAD/CAM, controller software.

A GOOD power supply. The more current, the better. I forgot about that:) You'll also need some sort of enclosure for the driver boards.

doesnt all that fun stuff just make you drool

Joe, don't forget to post pics of how you set up your 3 pc psu's.

well kinda, I will provide the gantry fully built with the Z axis also, except for the pipe rails, so that means the will build the axis alides which contain bearings and the alumn angle for all three axis and also will provide the the front and rear plates for the long "Y" or "X" axis depending on how you set it up.

I totally agree the Mach 1,2 and 3 is an excelent program.

Hi Joe.

Looks very good, and impressive. I am thinking about making one of those. Put me down on the list to get one of your kits, as long as you are willing to ship to Canada...

JF

I will keep it updated here so ya'll can see how it will work, and also inculed a small video on new machine cutting.

Cut out the Anti Backlash Nut Assembly, here is a picture on CNC Machine and a Finished Assembly.

hey jfguay2 if you are close to detroit at all I could bring it to you on the US side if you were able to get over the bridge

My g/f does some digital art stuff and has recently finished up an etching class the she really loved. I wonder if she could learn a little cad ontop of her photoshop skills, and slap in an engraving bit in the CNC...hmmmm....any idea if something like that would work?

You do some amazing work joe...PJs and CNCs, keep it up. Maybe we should stick you on the black screen issue and see if you can get that working too.

Thanks You very much MadCraiZ,

Motor / Leadscrew Coupler made from nylon.

Mmmm, yeah. It could work. The possibilities really are endless. I think Joe would be able to solve the black screen alternative if he wanted to.

I forgot to mention how the speed of the CNC router impressed me. Any plans of designing, manufacturing and selling other kits like projector cases? What about working with other raw materials?

I've been browsing online to see what price range a commercial CNC was in...couldn't find anything under $1600? Is this about right? Just curious.

well it depends on your cutting area, do you have a link to what you found?

i can check it out

well actually yes i plan on doing more, but will see how the guys does with the haas projectors, i would like to provide an alternative and different designs also.

Nah, it was just a quick ebay search. A lot of CNC parts and what not. The smaller machines were all in the $1500 range. ANything that looked industrial was an aditional $1000 easy.

Checked Home Depot and related sites, but when I did a searh for CNC I got table saws...go figure.

Here are the Large Adjustment Blocks.

Large Adjustment Blocks Installed.

Have you by any chance come across any USB driver boards? I'm trying to find out why my old PC keeps restarting itself...a real piece of crap, but the only system I have left with a parallel port.

No All i have seen are parallel ports and serial ports, you can get a seperate parallel port card, thats whats recomended anyway.

Are you looking for a PCI controller card for USB 2.0 ports? I got one at my local computer store.