I got my first CNC Machine!

**Tenson** · 29-01-2012

Hi Guys,

I got my first CNC machine working yesterday. It is a CNC3040 from eBay and although I had lots of problems with broken parts I finally got it going and cut a roadrunner :)

New as I am to this stuff I have a few questions I hope you can help with:

1) I got a TB6560 controll board from eBay* and it has 3 banks of 6 DIP switches. The PDF for the board seems to expect there is just one bank of 6 switches. Can anybody explain the extra ones, please?

2) Micro-step. What is it?

3) The machine accepts 3mm shank tool bits. Where can I get tools with 3mm shank? My usual router has 6mm shank bits.

4) It would be nice to add a turning axis to do metal lathe work (wood too if possible). Can anyone advise the easiest way to do this? I guess I don't need stepper control of the turning, just a speed control. I assume I can then install a lathe cutting tool in place of the usual spindle motor.

Thanks! I'm sure I'll be back here soon as I will need lots of help!

Simon

**Swarfing** · 29-01-2012

Assuming you are talking about the dip switches that control the step resolution (full, 1/2, 1/4 etc) then there should be a set for each axis. Assuming again all the screws and motors are the same then you want to set them all same.

Hope that helps

**Tenson** · 29-01-2012

Originally Posted by 2e0poz

Assuming you are talking about the dip switches that control the step resolution (full, 1/2, 1/4 etc) then there should be a set for each axis. Assuming again all the screws and motors are the same then you want to set them all same.

Hope that helps

Thanks, that makes more sense now :)

Also I notice the motors make a fair noise even when they are not moving, but just under control of the board. Is this normal?

**blackburn mark** · 29-01-2012

Also I notice the motors make a fair noise even when they are not moving, but just under control of the board. Is this normal?

yep, thats pretty normal for that board

iv also had a ponder on the idea of adding a lathe head of some sort
in theory you could have a row of turning tools on the bottom of your Z axis for and easy tool change, might be worth the effort if your making a big batch of parts
iv not fleashed the idea out yet (depends on a job) ill post if i have a crack at it :)

**JAZZCNC** · 29-01-2012

Originally Posted by Tenson

Also I notice the motors make a fair noise even when they are not moving, but just under control of the board. Is this normal?

Yes it's normal and they will get hot as well when stood still.! They are actually drawing more current when stood still than when moving without load.

Please note that if you change the step dip switch's you will have to retune the motors in the control software.

Originally Posted by Tenson

The machine accepts 3mm shank tool bits. Where can I get tools with 3mm shank? My usual router has 6mm shank bits.

Cutweltools.co.uk mainly for milling but metal carbide tools cut wood ok.

Originally Posted by Tenson

4) It would be nice to add a turning axis to do metal lathe work (wood too if possible). Can anyone advise the easiest way to do this? I guess I don't need stepper control of the turning, just a speed control. I assume I can then install a lathe cutting tool in place of the usual spindle motor.

Forget it the machines not up to cutting metal.!

You can buy purpose built 4th axis from Arceurotrade or make your own using a stepper and pulleys. Then use the spindle to cut material while the 4th axis rotates or holds the material as an indexer for engraving/carving. This is the common setup for wood turning.
Also On bigger stronger machines it's possible to put the metal to be turned in the spindle and mount cutting tool on the frame then program then Y or X axis to move the spinning material into the static tool. . . . just youtube mill as lathe and you'll find examples.

**blackburn mark** · 30-01-2012

Originally Posted by JAZZCNC

You can buy purpose built 4th axis from Arceurotrade or make your own using a stepper and pulleys. Then use the spindle to cut material while the 4th axis rotates or holds the material as an indexer for engraving/carving. This is the common setup for wood turning

maybe i read his post wrong?..... not sure he was asking for a classic 4th axis/indexer jazz

**JAZZCNC** · 30-01-2012

Originally Posted by blackburn mark

maybe i read his post wrong?..... not sure he was asking for a classic 4th axis/indexer jazz

Ye I know mark but was pointing out that he won't cut Metal with this machine no matter which way he goes about it and that if he did want to go with turning wood then the classic way is to use 4th Axis and let the spindle do the cutting rather than spin the material fast with static cutter.

Originally Posted by Jonathan

If only it were that easy.

Yes it is that easy You pay the money they send you a 4th Axis . . .Simplizzzz

Now if you meaning turning metal you obviously missed this bit . . .

Originally Posted by JAZZCNC

Forget it the machines not up to cutting metal.!

**Jonathan** · 30-01-2012

Originally Posted by JAZZCNC

You can buy purpose built 4th axis from Arceurotrade or make your own using a stepper and pulleys. Then use the spindle to cut material while the 4th axis rotates or holds the material as an indexer for engraving/carving. This is the common setup for wood turning.
Also On bigger stronger machines it's possible to put the metal to be turned in the spindle and mount cutting tool on the frame then program then Y or X axis to move the spinning material into the static tool. . . . just youtube mill as lathe and you'll find examples.

If only it were that easy.

I tried exactly what I think Tenson wants using my milling machine and a 4th axis I made, see here:

http://www.mycncuk.com/forums/showth...illing-machine

Even in my milling machine, which is obviously significantly stronger than that router it was hard to get a good finish. A more rigid toolpost would help, but still play in the quill/slides will ultimately limit it. The wood lathe I have will fit along the bed of my CNC Router if I drop the bed down so I've considered doing the same with my router. I think it is strong enough, but not yet needed to try it.

I tried the other way here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wGDMSiZpyg

That worked very nicely...

You could probably sharpen pencils with it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W37My..._order&list=UL

But you'd have to cut the pencil in half first as the critical speed of a pencil is... oh nevermind.