CNC Machine Resuscitation

The 2009 ex China (via EBay) CNC machine initially used as MK1 Pick Place is finally to put back to being a CNC machine

So time to repurpose back to being a CNC machine

Aspirations:

• Functioning with dedicated PC (possibly Raspberry Pi or Beagle Board etc)
• Compact as much as possible to live on the bench
• Drip lubricator
• Enclosed for noise when running

Issues/tasks:

20191009.1008 – RESOLVED 20191010

• Underside steel cross bar issues:
  • Issue: 1 of 2 bolts to the one of the uprights due to cross bar hole drilled poorly
  • Solution: Will mill out hole into correct location and use washers when fixing
  • Issue: Uses 4 of M5x10mm bolts for fixing to uprights (2 each side), less crossbar thickness of just over 4mm = <6mm of thread for a stressed part
  • Solution: all 4 holes are drilled to depth at least 22mm, so will tap to maximum depth and use maximum length possible M5 bolts per each hole

20191009.1033

• Was using parallel port / mach3, my newer PC’s don’t have parallel port
  • Initial: Have purchased a couple of USB adaptors but have yet to try to get them working with Windows 10, will also consider Linux as an OS option http://www.xyzdiy.com/

• Also might just buy couple of PCI-e parallel port cards so can get up and running for now with older all in one controllers

20191010.0958

• Slop from twisting forces across carriage
• Appears to use 20mm Support Rail Block Wide Type [TMYBRUU], dimensions here (also useful our notes from a few years ago: http://hairyraho.com/linear-bearing-codes/ )

• Can we replace these with a closed block?