CptanPanic's Shapeoko Build Log

[CptanPanic]

Hello,
In case it will help anyone else, I have decided to jot down my progress with the shapeoko I will be building. This is my first foray into CNC machines, so I am learning a lot already.

I had read about Shapeoko on ponoko, then I saw that it was up on inventables, and purchased the mechanical kit. So while I wait for the mechanicals to arrive, I started working on the electricals and software.

In addition to the mechanical kit on inventables, I went ahead and purchased a 1200mm and 2000mm piece of makerslide, as I would like to scale up the shapeoko to at least accommodate a guitar body.

As far as the computer controls goes, I think I am going to use LinuxCNC on an old desktop I have. I did a latency test, and it should work well, and have ordered a parallel port pci card for it (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 424wt_1189). I figured that I don't gain anything with using an arduino, since you still need a computer to stream the gcode to it. LinuxCNC looks nice as it has a good front end, and simulation capabilities.

I purchased motors also from phidgets.com, a nema17 for the Z axis, and 2 nema23's for the X/Y. I went with the bigger motors since I will be expanding the machine. But I will have to buy some different hardware (pulley's, mounting hardware) to use these motors with the kit.

As far as stepper drivers, I plan to purchase the ones from pololu. And I will be mounting them in one of the arduino stepper shields from buildlog.net. I will change the connectors around though since it will not be mounted on an arduino. The only slight complication is where to get the 5V to control the boards, without the arduino, and I think the easiest way is going to be to get one of the pololu boards with the built in voltage regulator, and have that one power the rest of the boards.

On the software front I have been trying out various CAM softwares. I use sketchup to do all my various projects, so am looking for something that I can import parts from there, and create gcode. I haven't found the perfect software yet, and have a limited budget, but am liking cambam so far.


Well that is what I have so far. Later.

[CptanPanic]

Still waiting for my inventables mech kit, so I am working on getting the electronics and software finalized before it arrives. So here is what is new.

*Installed LinuxCNC on an old computer I had, and installed the parport from ebay.
*Bought a DB25 breakout board from mdfly.com
*Got a Buildlog Stepper Shield PCB from Edward, and built it up, but put the arduino header pins on upside down, so I can connect my wires to it, instead of mounting on a arduino.
*Installed 3 Pololu stepper controllers on shield. Bought 4, but might of fried one by getting it too hot while soldering.
*Bought and received 24V power supply from ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/310312941221?ss ... 992wt_1189
*Bought but still waiting for my 5V power supply from sure-electronics. Using old arduino as a power supply in the meantime.
*Recevied my 2xnema23 motors and 1xnema17 motor from phidgits.

I hooked everything up, and after debugging some crossed wires, I am able to move the steppers in linuxcnc. My next steps are to set the current of the steppers, modify some heatsinks I have to fit, and to cleanup the wiring. I may also start working on getting some hall sensors for some limit/home switches.

[sea2stars]

I'm very interested in this setup and look forward to any updates.

I have a handful of industrial mini-ITX boards that I've collected over the years that would probably be a good match; every connector under the sun. The onboard graphics will probably be an issue which could easily be rectified with a cheap PCI card.

Instead of mounting the header pins upside down, I may try using a Wingshield/Screwshield and connect the wires that way, in case I feel like trying out things using an Arduino.

[CptanPanic]

Screwshield looks cool. Here is how my stuff looks. Note the loose wires are the estop in progress. Estop button works good. I press the button and it cuts power and sends linuxcnc stop signal at the same time.

[Burke LaShell]

That's awesome!

The Emergency Stop page in the wiki is pretty weak right now. Would you mind documenting what you've done in the wiki so we can all copy? http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/Emergency_Stop

[CptanPanic]

Here is an update on my cnc. Currently i have the y axis at 1200mm and am waiting for Edwards new x axis plates so I can extend x axis to 800mm. I have it setup with linuxcnc and started messing with a pen last night. Seems that the y axis is 20% off, so will have to investigate that. I have a second y stepper coming in the mail, and will need to order some more belt and idler wheels.

[edwardrford]

It might be difficult right now to source the idler wheels. Seems they are still on backorder through inventables. However, if you run the 'alternative' configuration, you can use one pulley per side, in which case you would simply need to remove the rear pulley from your current drive side, and put it on the front of your soon to be new drive side.

Also, good thinking using the pololu with the 5V output to enable the rest!

-Edward

[CptanPanic]

Thanks to Edward I got the new plates in and was able to pretty much finish assembling the cnc. I built a work bench for it and moved everything to garage. Another big change is I ended up buying a gecko g540 as the controller as I was having some problems getting good line drawings. Next up is I am waiting on some end mills to arrive, and I will cut out a mount for a dw660. I am also going to order some vacuum hose so I can hook the cnc up to my dust collector. Stay tuned.

[northbear]

Estop button works good. I press the button and it cuts power and sends linuxcnc stop signal at the same time.

I know this is an old post, but could you explain how you did this? What I don't understand is when the power is cut to the controller, how can it send a stop signal to linuxcnc? I am sure I am not understanding something, but can't figure out what!

Thanks!

[CptanPanic]

The way I had this working is my estop button has 2 sets of contacts, one normally open an one normally closed. So when we cut power it connects the other intact which connects to an input on the port.

Note I am currently switching to using gecko g540 with Mach3, but I am doing something similar.