On this page I will show you the additional and tools I´m using
Controller
Controller
The controller for the Axis and Spindle. I added to addition switches. One for the pump and the cooling fans and an other one when using the laser
Cooler for Spindle
Cooling unit
Because I´m using a water cooled spindle, I have to cool down the water. Working with an big bucket needs a lot of space. Inthis version I use an cooler from PC, 3 120 mm fans, a smal 12 V pump and an expansion tank. The used fluid is cooling fluid from a car. With this cooler the spindle can work the hole day. (If I´m looking behind the fans, they need to be cleaned)
The vacuum Plate
Vacuum Plate
This is one of my most important tools, the vacuum plate. It´s completly selfmade from a 20 mm piece of aluminium. There are 2 connectors for the vacuum pump and with a 5 mm foam rubber it can be devided in 2 seperate areas. The downholders are 3D printed.
Vacuum Distributor
This is my vacuum distributor
Vacuum Pump
It´s an industrial vacuum pump. It can run days and don´t use any oil. I found this pump on ebay as a used one. For sure there are bigger pumps with a greater volume but they are running with oil. I payed for this ~80 € and I´m totally happy with it.
Filter
This suction filter is to prevent the vacuum compressor against chips from milling
Silent Compressor
Silent compressor
A simple silent compressor, 8 bar 10 L volumen
cooling liquid
This container stores the cooling liquid for milling of harder material like ALU 7075 or steel
Air blowing and cooling
The spray nozzel is modified. It can blow air only, cooling liquid only or air with cooling liquid
Vacuum cleaner
Vacuum Cleaner
For suction of the chips during milling I use a simple vacuum cleaner. It´sa silent version from AEG. I bougt it as a used one. The wight hose is connected to a carbon filter. Because when I´m using the laser, I will show you later, it smells.
Separator
The chips will be separated and will go into the bucket
movable Arm
This movable arm will swing with the movement of the CNC
Dust collector
The adjustable dust- or chip-collector
Laser Pointer
Laser pointer
With the laser pointer, the spindle can be adjusted on the workpiece. I bought an simple point laser und connected to a 9V battery
3D Touch Probe
3D Touch Probe
After reading a lot of stuff around the net and looking at the prinzible of the 3D touch probe I would like to design my own. Yes for sure, the princible is always the same. It´s adjustable and reaches an accuracy of about 10th of a 1 mm. The problem with this probe is the temperature. All the time when you want to use it, you have to callibrate it, because of changes of the temperature
Signal converter
the 3D Probe has a closed circuit and when you have contact, the circuit will open. MACH3 is using open inputs. It´s possible to change it but I don´t want to change it all the time. So I design this smal box witch converts the signal.
power supply
The power supply for the signal converter is a 3,7 V LiPo accu
Vinyl cutter
vinyl cutter
the CNC is my play ground and I try to make it as flexible as possible. Cutting finyl should be possible.
I bought a cutter an was trying. After some modifications, fits to a 10 mm collet and change it to spring loaded, it working fine. Not like a plotter, because of the software, but it´s working.
Vinyl sticker
If the right pressure on the cutter is adjusted, it will cut only the vinyl and not the carrier foil
The Laser
Laser module
My first try was a 3 W Laser Modul. But if they offer a 3 or more W module, the are not talking about the intensity of the light. I realy don´t know what they are takling about, but not about the power of the light.
After some modifications at the switch of the laser beam, in the postprocessor and the connections of the controller, it was working fine.
But I was looking videos on YouTube and reading alot and read about a much powerfull laser. They are combinding laser diodes via prisma. Sounds great, I need one of them. What you see in the picture is a laser with a measured light output of 8,2 W.
Laser Module
You can cut wood and angrave a lot of stuff. Butt angraving on metal is only possible with a trick (Dry Moly Lube).
Machine vice
Flat machine vice
This is a 20 mm high machine vice. Central spanning. Perfect for a CNC. With the additional plates it is possible to fix round stuff
Thats not the end but to show you my router bits will take some time
