Aluminium Profile Type Router - Initial questions

[CNCRY]

Have my AXBB-E on its way now, so almost all the components - except for the VFD and spindle which I'll leave until I have a moving machine .
I'll be trying to get UCCNC to control one motor so I at least know it can be done (by me:) ) Linking it up to the Laptop is probably the only part of the electronics I hope goes easily with IT background..!
So I'm planning to use CAT6 cable I have already for STEP/DIR - do I just use the individual cores still twisted and leave in shielding for the run to stepper?
Also - what's the best method to join the fixed motor wiring /limit switches to CY cable - just solder and heat shrink over the top? if the CY doesn't run right to the motor (only 1/3 or so) is there any point grounding the shield at cabinet end?

[AndyUK]

So I'm planning to use CAT6 cable I have already for STEP/DIR - do I just use the individual cores still twisted and leave in shielding for the run to stepper?

Assuming you mean between the AXBB-E and the motor driver rather than stepper, yes. Try to use differential signal connections if possible, one twisted pair for Step+ and step-, etc. Shield as much as possible, ground the shielding to the star ground in cab.

Also - what's the best method to join the fixed motor wiring /limit switches to CY cable - just solder and heat shrink over the top? if the CY doesn't run right to the motor (only 1/3 or so) is there any point grounding the shield at cabinet end?

That's what I did. Yes always useful to ground the shielding at the cabinet, otherwise it's just not doing much.

[CNCRY]

Yep Andy - meant between the AXBB-E and driver!
Some more progress on the physical build - ballscrew covers are on and work as planned! and most of gantry done. Next is to tackle the motor mounts. Plan is to use the long 35mm shaft length to go through the mount without having to hand route out a pocket as others have.
I also managed to connect 4 steppers and get them moving via UCCNC with nothing going pop, so know electronics for movement in place.





Reading Jazz's post elsewhere I realise I may have been confusing the X and Y axis all this time.oops. So stranding directly in front of the machine, I was calling left to right movement across the gantry Y and front to back X. So I have configured the dual ballscrew axis as X in UCCNC,
Reconfigure is just in software so OK, but can someone confirm I have been wrong, and X should be right to left (as per graph axis) and Y is dual axis. Probably good to know for a CNC machine:)

I'm also worried about the stand/table, When you put a decent force in the middle of the ply it flexes perhaps a couple of mm.
Initially I just needed somewhere to build it and didn't put lots of thought into the stand, thinking the machine frame will maintain it's structure. It's a wooden bench with ply top, I can do a fair amount to strengthen it up but - is this going to be a major sticking point? I see plenty of "desktop" type commercial machines out there which I assume people just stick on a workbench etc?
Really don't want to start having to get a frame welded if I can help it ! Ideas?

Thanks