dclamp, you asked for it, you got it :) My Homemade CNC #2 drawing Mickey Mouse

[CVMichael]

In the title I am refering to this: http://www.vbforums.com/showpost.php...7&postcount=15

Here is my second Homemade CNC, a much improved CNC (compared to the old one at least).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2CYttY_xPg

I am still working on it, but at the stage am I am now, I was able to draw the Mickey Mouse as a test.

I am also posting this to ask for VOLUNTEERS to help me with the application on the computer that is in VB.NET.

First, I whould like to know if there are any ? then I will create a thread (in VB.NET forum ?) where I will post the VB.NET application with explanation of the problems that I have with it, and what other things I plan to add to it.

[dclamp]

*applauds* I have always wanted to work with electronics, but never got involved mostly because i have no idea where to start, and i have no income (as i am a student without a job).

Is it just me, or does that seem like a really hefty machine to just be drawing on a piece of paper? I assume you have other plans for it, as it looks really over built (a good thing) and looks sturdy.

You ask for volunteers, i haven't coded vb.net in a while, but wouldnt mind helping where i can

[baja_yu]

Very impressive. I'm just starting the conversion to .Net, but you can be sure I'll be following the thread very closely and give any help that I can. By the way, is that Xilinx ISE on the left screen? What hardware are you using?

[CVMichael]

Your right, I do have other plans for it.

If you noticed the pen is secured between that metal "thing" that has a hole in the middle. That's where the dremel goes. I did not mount it because there is no point yet. But I did do some tests with it also.

Just the hardware of what you see there (the CNC) is approximately $1500 CAN. But I also had to buy a logic analyzer (Intronix Logicport) that was almost $600 CAN (including the XKM grabbers), because I had too many problems debugging the microcontroller code, and this device helped immensely.

So, right now I can attach a dremel to it, but finally I want to attach a router to it.

Originally I wanted to make a robot, but not long after I started to gather parts, I realized that there are way too many parts that have to be custom made. I did not want to pay anyone to make those parts because obviously it would be a lot of money. So I decided to build my own CNC so that I can make my own parts for the robot.

I am very glad that I started with the CNC, because I learned SOO much from this.

Actually my main goal is to learn more electronics / anything to keep myself busy, to have a passion, to feel like I actually accomplished something.

[CVMichael]

By the way, is that Xilinx ISE on the left screen? What hardware are you using?

No, that's the Intronix Logicport. I have a dual screen set up.

[dclamp]

according to XE.com, $1500 CAN is about $1488, so yeah thats quite a bit of money that i dont have.

Looking back at your old video, i see that it has been upgraded greatly. It looks really good.

Looks like it is made out of mdf wood as apposed to plywood, am i right?

[CVMichael]

The only thing I took from the old CNC are the stepper motor drivers, everything else is new.

Yes, most of the wood is MDF, but the bottom of the CNC is plywood.

The wood on it's own is too weak (bends too much), I realized that not long after I started building it, so then I re-enforced it with aluminium "L" shaped sheets. Even after that it is not strong enough, so now I plan to replace all the wood with pure aluminium at least 1/2 inch thick. I have no idea where I can find sheets that big, and that thick, but for now I want to solve other problems, like the programming... but I will talk more about that when I will make the new thread in the VB.NET forum (probably tomorrow).

Just the linear rails (including the bearings) were $1200, then the stepper motors were ~ $300 (now that I think of it, the CNC was probably around $2000 CAN ), I bought those from here: http://www.motiontek.ca/

Also another BIG improvement is the logic behind how the CNC moves the motors, and how data is transmitted from the PC to the microcontroller. In the old CNC the computer was basically giving a command "Draw line" and the coordinates. Now the computer sends every single point in an array in a compressed data stream.
That is why before I was drawing only straight lines, like the "HELLO", and now I can draw basically anything, any kind of curve in 3 dimensions. Again, I will explain that in detail when I will make the thread in the VB.NET forum.

[MaximilianMayrhofer]

You don't need a single sheet, stronger sheets are as easy as:



Yes, I made that myself, thank you.

[akhileshbc]

Great work...

[JuggaloBrotha]

First, I whould like to know if there are any ? then I will create a thread (in VB.NET forum ?) where I will post the VB.NET application with explanation of the problems that I have with it, and what other things I plan to add to it.

This looks pretty neat and I consider myself to be pretty good with vb/vb.net so let me know if there's anything you need coded for this and I'll see about helping out.

[CVMichael]

I just created the thread: http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?t=610144

[wossname]

This is an astounding achievement. Making a machine with your own hands that can perform to such high tolerances is nothing short of magic.

[Lord_Rat]

Impressive machine. Good work.

[Ram2Curious]

A simple example for the creative potential of an individual ! Keep it up CVM.

This makes me to run back to my school days where i used to mess around with soldering iron, LED and pcb's. I want to get back to electronics again!!!!

[dclamp]

I enjoy that this thread is addressed to me.