I was thinking about using a set up similar to that on the build I am (VERY SLOWLY ) working on.

Most of the BLDC motors that are not RC motors have Hall effect sensors in them and need a three phase driver. The drivers are a three phase driver that put out a sinusoidal wave form and use the sensors to "time" the wave forms for the three phases. They are crazy efficient and capable of very high speed with an almost flat torque curve.

Many thanks for the advice folks!

The RC/BLDC idea sounds brilliant, but I havent been able to find the mounting kit anywhere on the site. Is there a link?

2 other quick questions, when are you getting some more v-slot rail in stock and can I pre-order some?
last question! Is there anyone apart from robocutters.uk selling the Ox gantry plates?

Hi Richard,
I am selling the Ox CNC gantry plates.
Please send me an email at chrisclub@gmail.com
Or check my listing on Ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Openbuilds-...tes-/261475896332?hash=item3ce12d8c0c&vxp=mtr
Thanks,
Chris

Hi Richard- I am a new distributor for Open build and I have a limited supply of V rail in stock. I am in New York State and I charge the same prices as the Open build store. Check out my website at www.opensourceluthiersupply.com Regards Bill Sterling

@kram242
How did you manage to get 5mm wide belt? I can't find them anywhere on Google!

All,

I have ordered all the parts available for the OX but Nema motors and the boards are out of stock.

Since the parts are back ordered, I thought to do some R&D.

If I use MK3 from Planet_CNC , can I use Nema Motors with integrated driver?

Something like this?
http://www.anaheimautomation.com/pr...ntegrated-item.php?sID=49&pt=i&tID=132&cID=50

Are these motors compatible with MK3?

or should I use a driver board like this?
http://www.planet-cnc.com/index.php?page=shop&shop=motors

CBC bug has bit so looking forward to all the fun and frustration of learning.

Hi @kram242 I've paid for the order (commercial invoice 0430), thanks again

Hi

I am no expert as I am new to this but I do have a background in electronics and I have done a fair bit of research so here goes!

My understanding is that the motors work allot more efficiently at voltages higher than 24V which is the limit for the motors with the integrated drivers you are looking at - I am using 48V for my build. I would always recommend against integrated devices because if one part fails, the whole lot is garbage. So if something fails in the driver both it and the motor need to be replaced. if you want to go that route try these http://www.leadshine.com/producttyp...ucts&producttype=integrated-easy-servo-motors but you may have mounting issues as they are more bulky.
As far as the driver you mention, for a bit more you can buy the excellent LeadShine drivers or one of the many clones of them. The M542 would be fine for you
http://www.leadshine.com/series.asp...-products&producttype=stepper-drives&series=M

If your budget will stretch to them, the digital drivers are great, very quiet and no harmonics. I got mine from these guys - really good service as well as good prices. They do normal as well as the digital drivers and their motors are really good as well.

http://stores.ebay.com/primopal-motor?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

Hope this helps

What kind of controller are you looking at for these?

@Richard
I do not have set budget limit in mind (within reason ). Given that. Do you think the following set will work with OX?

http://www.planet-cnc.com/index.php?page=shop (MK3)
http://www.leadshine.com/productdet...le-axis-stepper-drives&series=MX&model=MX3660
http://leadshineusa.com/productdeta...unregulated-switching&series=SPS&model=SPS487
http://leadshineusa.com/productdeta...phase-stepper-motors&series=57HS&model=57HS22
http://leadshineusa.com/productdeta...phase-stepper-motors&series=42HS&model=42HS03


Do I need MK3 with MX3660? Seems like MX3660 uses RS232 input. Do I just connect to MK3 as per the pin diagram?

Thanks

I can supply 6mm Aluminium Waterjet cut Gantry plates, I also made the triangular frame connectors. They are $85/set plus postage.

They aren't as well finished as the Milled parts but are fully functional. The surface is Mill finish and no finishing has been done to the watercut edges. The holes in the plates have been drilled to size.

BTW, I'm located in Australia

So I'v built a 1500x1000mm OX, my question to anyone else who has built one, is anyone having issues with belt slippage?
I mean I cant run my machine over 10ipm with out the belt slipping on the gears for the y axis. Now I'v tried all sorts of tension from moderately tight to extremely tight, and nothing prevents the belt from slipping. If anyone has information on this I would greatly appreciate it, because I put alot into getting this built, and a bit diappointed that I cant solve this problem. Thanks

Well, I've finally took the plunge ! I have most parts ordered over the last couple of days to build myself a modified OX CNC... It will have a 1000 x 1500 mm foot print, thinking I could then work on 4' wide by however long (as in 8', full sheets of whatever) in overlapping sections by just sliding the work piece through my OX. One can always look far far ahead ... How about getting some nice engraving on those doors eh ? There is so many things one can do with a CNC router/engraver/...

I suspect I will need to reinforce the double beam X-axis since it will be 1500 mm. I will see soon enough, right ? The V-slot is not expensive, it's just so hard to get a hold of. Going with the alternatives, such as 80/20, etc. is substentially more expensive taking into account all aspects. Just the extrusion alone is more expensive. Yet, one could think of doing a 15+' long CNC with those )

I still have to order some of the screws and such, but the one piece I'm having trouble getting hold of is the 8 mm ACME leadscrew. Seems a tough item to find. Any one have a suggestion on where to find a piece long enough for the OX's Z-axis (at least 8" long) ? I'll take a chopped piece you have left over (I have a Detroit, MI address to ship to and a PayPal account, if it helps). I might go with 'regular' threaded rod just for testing out my OX ... hopefully not breaking anything in the process.

I have parts coming for OpenSource Luthier Supply (best prices by the way for v-slot related items), a bunch more parts from the Openbuilds Partstore, although it always seems to be out of stock for OX related items. It must be a real popular build... Then, of course, I got the gantry plates from Chris (Laidlaw). He's working on them right now. Since he appears to be out West, he might actually sneak them out the door by day's end... As for the stepper motors, I ended up getting them from StepperOnline, an outfit from China (!) with fast, remains to be seen, but expensive shipping (already proven by the invoice !) They do have an almost endless choice of steppers at "reasonable" prices, I am new to all this, so I might stand corrected by some of you on that last one. Hopefully I picked the right ones : 1x 17HS24-1206S and 3x 23HS30-3006D.

I might have enough parts arriving in the next few days to start building this weekend ! Of course, being Mother's Day weekend, I will carve something for the wife ... if I actually get a chance to get the OX running. I better start looking for some scraps of wood to carve, eh ?

What will I do with the OX if I can get it running ? Well, there's the odd sign, do fancier frames than just slapping pieces of 2x4 together - laugh, but I have large ones done years ago and they are holding up quite nicely AND I get compliments ... it's just a coat of black paint !!! I also want to work on some molds to do some thermoforming of polycarbonate for my RC side (especially for the 1/10 scale monster truck)... Then there's all sorts of ideas coming to mind from looking at all those photos and YouTube. The possibilities are virtually endless. Let's hope they don't drain the budget too fast, eh ?

I better order them missing screws !

Can't find it, do you have a link to it?

Type Nomad CNC in the search Kickstarter search box. It has US only shipping so it may not be showing up internationally. Plenty of photos and write-ups on google.

I *should* have some left over this weekend, If all goes well.

I am also a fan of 1/10 monster trucks. I'd like to see what you come up with for shells. http://i.imgur.com/I8Zke8b.jpg

Got it now, thanks!

That would be great. Let me know if you end up with at least the 'regulation' 8" piece, although I'm thinking of going at least 10" so I could work on RC molds.

I've smoked my ESC in the E-Maxx, transmission jammed and ... Well, it sits on shelf waiting for a few parts to make stronger, faster, ... (weird, I'm hearing tune: bionic man). Had started the work but didn't think the drive shaft would go that fast on me ... Only in RC for about a year. So still a newby there too.

The OX might pay itself just with keeping my other interests going, especially on rainy days like today. Saw this sweet looking table top ... inlayed poured 'metal'. Gave me all sorts of ideas the OX could help with, especially at 1500 x infinity . Proper bits/tooling and cost might slow me down. I will figure something out...

Got a UPS tag at door coming home last night. The parts are starting to flow in... Better start clearing space in the garage. Do you think the wife will mind leaving that beautiful car of hers outside ? ;d My OX will end up nearly 3' x 5' x 2'with all steppers and such overhanging frame's foot print !! Oops !

Hey tweakie, thanks for the response, yeah they are matching belt and pulley both are the gt3 series here from openbuilds parts store.
I'v aligned the y axis by moving the gantry to one end of the chasis frame, which is known to be perfectly square. Clamped the gantry in place, and tensioned both belts with power off, to remove any and all slack, the belt alignment is also tracking perfectly center, no rubbing anywhere.
So I thought I fixed the problem by aligning perfectly, and tensioning the belts in unison with each other. But my issue now which I found last night, is that the GT3 pulley (gear) is now slipping on the shaft of the motors. I'v checked for set screw positioning to make sure I was on the flat side of the shaft of the motor, and I am on both y axis motors, and the x axis motor. But the pulley is rotating around the shaft now that I have proper tension. The set screws are not holding, also my acceleration is set at 4 in mach 3, and I am running my maching very slow. I also have my driver settings set at 1/8" micro stepping. All in all, with the belt system, I was first getting failure with the belt tensioning, followed by pulley failure on the shaft of the motor.

Hello all, just got on the forum.

I want to thank all for the useful information about what drivers and motors to use for what project. I´ve been looking around to build a small scale CNC machine myself for years now but never had the spare cash to do so, until now .

I have access to sheetmetal fabrication (all processes) and want to use that to build my machine and help others out when the need something (for free or cost price) just to show my respect for you guys. I love the design from MarkCarew, best I’ve come across in years! Again, thank you for that.

But… ... I’ve hit a wall here in Mexico; I don’t seem to get the 20x40 (or the x60/x80) V-slot here. What are the brands that produce these V-slot extruded aluminum profiles? I know they come in 3000mm lengths normally so they would be a pain to ship them to Mexico. I’ve found Rexroth (Bosch) profiles but they don’t have the V-slot shape.

My idea is to start a shop here in Mexico and provide acceptable prices for complete builds without ripping people off like most do here (I’ll do this for hobby, not to get myself the latest model sports car out of it).

Thank you in advance for any input on this, if there is no other solution to get the V-slot profiles I’ll be designing a clone from OX with split-plates made out of 3mm milt steel and different wheels/rollers.

-Ronald

Actually they only come in 1000mm and 1500mm lengths. Shipping on these lengths shouldn't be that difficult. As for brands, this is it.

I see, googled it and came across this: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/openrail/openbuilds-v-slot. Stupid me .

let's see how much shipping (UPS/DHL) will set me back, thank you Rick for opening my eyes .

Ronald: They still need a distributor in Mexico. Opportunity is knocking here.

http://openbuildspartstore.com/openbuilds-distributors/

Thank you, just filled in the form!

Has anyone purchased from StepperOnline ? how was there service?
Thanks

Web site, Order processing and Shipping : EXCELLENT (it better be at price paid with no options for 'slow boat')
Product quality : unknown at this time (I won't be a good judge either, being new at this : if it all works : "great !")
Price : seems very good (substantially less even compared to OpenBuilds offerings, but high shipping cost voids that advantage)

I ordered, May 5th, a NEMA 17 and 3 NEMA 23 steppers along with a power supply. May 6th got email with tracking number for DHL. Checking status right now, May 7th, and ... package is in Cincinnati, OH since about noon ! Now comes the fun part: clearing customs, travelling to a port of entry to Canada (probably Detroit, MI), one more customs to cross into Canada and getting all the way to my door. Technically, it is just a few hours drive. I hope customs will be painless (as in just paying sales taxes, if anything ... can always hope).

Total material cost (1x 17HS24-1206S, 3x 23HS30-3006D and 1x switching 400W/12V/33A) : 95$
Total shipping (DHL Express was cheapest option offered) : 65 $ (Ya, I know ... about 66% of material cost !!!)
Total landed cost (at front door) : ??? (I'm afraind a carrier will likely add brokering fees, customs and taxes)

Keep us updated!

Tracking says items are in "Ontario Service Area - ON - Canada" since early this morning and have "Departed Facility" a bit before lunch. It could mean the door bell is about to ring ... Paying 65$ to get something from China certainly seems way quicker than the free shipping via "slow boat" which takes several weeks (... oh ... 3-6 weeks for me, when items don't get back ordered).

The rest of the parts, minus ACME lead screw and odd ends (all screws in fact) are also arriving from the various suppliers from East to West coast, USA. I should be getting a 'damaged' OpenBuilds spec'ed lead screw"real soon now" (as long as at least 8"-12" of it is good I'm ok with that as I don't have any plans for the rest of the 1000mm/3') and the screws I will probably get from local wholesalers/distributors.

Just realized a little problem - I have no brain : I forgot to order the electronics and drivers !!! I have an Arduino on it's way from China (thru good old BangGood slow boat). It was ordered weeks ago for much smaller project, so it should be getting close to my front door by now. But without the drivers, it will be difficult to do anything useful with the rest of the parts. It will give me time to build it ...

Without a single driver, I won't be able to even test the steppers ? I will Google on that so I could at least do a quick test.

So, if you are interested, I'll probably open a 'build' here in the next little while. The SKP of my planned OX is almost ready.