The more I read, the more lost I get. Help me suite my first build.

[cropwell]

Clive - you are right about the line of 5 sockets.

If anyone wants the Engrish language version of the BoB manual PM me with your email address and I will forward it to you. For some reason I can't upload it as the Adobe plug-in crashes on the uploader - Lee comment ?

Rob

[eurikain]

Clive - you are right about the line of 5 sockets.

If anyone wants the Engrish language version of the BoB manual PM me with your email address and I will forward it to you. For some reason I can't upload it as the Adobe plug-in crashes on the uploader - Lee comment ?

Rob

Thanks so much ! I attach to this post the PDF you sent me :)

You don't say what your driving the machine with ie ball screws etc slaved axis etc. ?

I have 2 x 2m SFU2010 ballscrew on X, 1.3m SFU1610 ballscrew on Y, and 0.6m SFU1605 ballscrew on Z. I think X is oversized, but I had to go with 2010 because lengths were higher than 1.5m. Fred @BST Automation even recommended SFU2510, but I didn't think that binding would be a problem for an MDF machine. Turns out the screws don't bind at all, unless you push on them obviously. I can't say anything about whipping as I haven't tried them on yet.

The steppers you have have a high inductance and the Zapp ones will be much better http://www.zappautomation.co.uk/elec...tor-48577.html

Well noted. I'll keep those (or CNC4YOU, whichever one is cheaper) in mind :)

If you are going to build another machine and want to use the bits again go with AM882 at least as they have stall detect and run them at about 70V. Some of the newer drive can be run from AC as well.

Sounds good ! I think you're right, thinking long term good quality is a better money saver.

Building your own PS supply will cost about £45 ish

Right, as we discussed in the other thread. I have done some more research on the forum but apparently I don't use the correct terms (I searched "unregulated power supply", "diy power supply", but searches with words of less than three letters don't work... for the software engineer and web developer that I am, that's a key thing missing on the forum !). I found a thread where someone built his own unregulated PSU for 4 x CNC4YOU Nema 23 3.1Nm and 4 x AM882 (which would most likely match my case), but I found it hard to find the right information throughout the discussion. I think we should add a "DIY unregulated psu tutorial" thread to the forum, with wiring diagram, simple formulaes, links to parts and pictures of how to make it. If this already exists, can you point me in the right direction ? I can always start such a thread when I make my PSU, but would rather see someone with much more experience doing it :/

[Neale]

What you are looking for is "linear power supply" as opposed to "switch mode power supply". Might help in a search. Commercially, the kind of thing you are looking for is "PS806-12 Linear power supply" from Zapp. I'm sure that you could build one for less, as already suggested, but the Zapp supply is the kind of specification that you need. I'm currently running an MDF router with one of these supplies, three SY60 motors, and M752 drivers. These drivers are old analogue boxes, now superseded by things like the AM882, but the combination is fine for this class of machine. The MDF structure can't take much more power anyway!

[JAZZCNC]

I think we should add a "DIY unregulated psu tutorial" thread to the forum, with wiring diagram, simple formulaes, links to parts and pictures of how to make it. If this already exists, can you point me in the right direction ? I can always start such a thread when I make my PSU, but would rather see someone with much more experience doing it :/

Mostly the reason why you'll struggle to find a full start to finish guide is for the legal side of things.
Now with due respect to Mycnc Forum members, who are ALL obviously highly intelligent by the fact they joined, but I know there are still lots of Muppets out there who watch but don't fully read or take time to ask or understand what's involved but instead jump in with both feet eyes shut.!!

Not something that is advised or I would want to be partly held responsible for when it comes to electricty that is often used in a dry dusty enviroment just itching to catch fire.!!!

Yes I help people build there own PSU and have done so for many but I do it privately and make sure they fully under stand before proceeding.
So if you get no joy just ask and I'll gladly help but I won't post it here. PM me then just you, me and one other will read it.!!

[eurikain]

What you are looking for is "linear power supply" as opposed to "switch mode power supply". Might help in a search. Commercially, the kind of thing you are looking for is "PS806-12 Linear power supply" from Zapp. I'm sure that you could build one for less, as already suggested, but the Zapp supply is the kind of specification that you need. I'm currently running an MDF router with one of these supplies, three SY60 motors, and M752 drivers. These drivers are old analogue boxes, now superseded by things like the AM882, but the combination is fine for this class of machine. The MDF structure can't take much more power anyway!

Thanks ! I've been struggling with this for a while. Are you sure that Zapp's will work ? It says it's 68V 6A. I think I would need something like 12A (=4.2A * 4 * .7) ?
I just checked and the M752 is very close to the AM882, but for $8 difference I think I'd rather go with AM882 :)
How heavy is your MDF machine, what is the area ? My gantry is a 1500 x 350 x 140mm torsion box (1 horizontal rib and 6 vertical ones) made from 22mm MDF. Approximated weight with Z and spindle is about 60kg. I think I overbuilt this haha.

Mostly the reason why you'll struggle to find a full start to finish guide is for the legal side of things. Now with due respect to Mycnc Forum members, who are ALL obviously highly intelligent by the fact they joined, but I know there are still lots of Muppets out there who watch but don't fully read or take time to ask or understand what's involved but instead jump in with both feet eyes shut.!!

I understand 100%. But a disclaimer is enough to warn people, right ? Plus, it legally protects you from being held responsible of anything. Too bad that shops like Zapp's won't make those tutorials, since they commercially sell those things.

So if you get no joy just ask and I'll gladly help but I won't post it here. PM me then just you, me and one other will read it.!!

That didn't fall on deaf ears ;) I will PM you some time this week. First need to finish my "stepper problem" thread :) Then will order BOB, AM882s, and motors. Maybe I'll ask Fred at BST Automation if he can get those for me.

Thanks to everyone for their kindness and the time they spent replying to me ! It's nice to see this lively community, that I will try my best to give back to when I get the opportunity.

[cropwell]

I understand 100%. But a disclaimer is enough to warn people, right ? Plus, it legally protects you from being held responsible of anything. Too bad that shops like Zapp's won't make those tutorials, since they commercially sell those things.

In legal terms disclaimers mean diddley squat Everything is biased towards protecting the stupid consumer - ask any retailer !!

[eurikain]

In legal terms disclaimers mean diddley squat

Couldn't find a correct french translation for that slang one :/ I'm guessing you're saying "not worth anything" ;)

[cropwell]

Couldn't find a correct french translation for that slang one :/ I'm guessing you're saying "not worth anything" ;)

Even less than that mate !