My Cheapo Chineese 3020t mini CNC Build (more like improvements) leanring all the way

[ravihotwok]

Cheers Andy mate

[ravihotwok]

right im at work doing a bit of skiving watching homeland and messing with this control box, I have re soldered the plug connections as advised, pelase have a look and give me your thoughts, don't think I can do much better if I'm honest
before


And now after re soldering

[Clive S]

Ravi They are better but some are not good. It does take practise I think you said you have leaded solder.

You will have to power it up and see. Remember always apply the solder to the joint (its ok to wet the iron first with solder) It should run and not ball up. What is the wattage of your iron?

[ravihotwok]

i have balled it up deliberately, once I had allowed plenty to go into the terminal i then gently moved the iron in a circular motion to ensure the solder didnt interfere with the next one. Iron is 30watt matey

[EddyCurrent]

Too much solder, you should be able to see the shape of the parts after they are soldered.

[ravihotwok]

Did a bit more on the machine this weekend, my new 600w spindle and pwr supply arrived as well


I have allso installed the limit switches, 2 on each x and y axis and one on the z axis

[ravihotwok]

A common problem with this model of cnc machine is excess play on the z axis, this is caused by a small gap from the top of the screw and the bearing just where it meets the motor. It is only about 1.5mm but is enough to worry you. Using a 3d printed washer I have solved this problem and now there is zero play in the z axis, got the idea from a funny chap off youtube.

Here is the excess play before
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9aK...ature=youtu.be

Here is how I solved it:
I started with printing some washers
8mm id 11mm od 2mm thickness


Now to remove the motor, and then the 2 retaining screws on top of the bearing


Now slide the printed washer onto the screw


Now install the bearing again, you must make sure that the bearing is flush with the top of the housing it is seated in, I had to sand about half a mm off to achieve this, once happy tighten the 2 retaining screws and then install the motor.

Here is the result
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBEN...ature=youtu.be

No play at all and the axis still moves nice and freely. An easy fix to what really should of been sorted at factory.

Hope this helps someone in the future :-)