Advice on RoboCutters EagleIII CNC Machine 400x600mm

[Phizell]

Thank you Jay,

Looks like I have a lot to think about....what I did like from the 6040 was that the spindle is water cooled which I think may be a bonus with the amount of work I can see it doing.

Where did you find out what parts to replace and where did you buy them from?

Thanks for your input and help

Phillip

[JayPunchbuggy]

Hi Phillip,

Didn't replace any parts, except for the IEC power cables. It came with euro ones, that wouldn't have connected the earth. Apart from that, I put it together as sent and it worked. No mods were needed.

However, I didn't like how the inverter was connected, and manually controlled. So I rewired the inverter to take its power from the main controller through the pump switch. This saved me from powering the inverter from the wall switch. I then wired the cooling pump to switch on only when the spindle was turning using the inverter's built in relay. Finally, I got a cheap RS-232 to RS-485 converter and used that to connect the pc to inverter. This, with a MACH3 add in driver, let me completely control the spindle on the PC.

So, I didn't have to mod anything, I just improved the set up by doing so.

Some day, I would like to replace the controller, so that I can drive the steppers with more than 24volts. This would give greater speed or torque if I need it... But it can wait.

I should write up the details rewiring I did, just haven't had a chance.

Hope this helps, and good luck with whatever you decide to get.

Cheers,
Jay

[Phizell]

Hi Jay,

I think from all I have read I will be going down the Eagle 3 route just for ease and also backup.

Thank you so much for all your help though it really has pointed me in what I think is the right direction.

Thanks


Phillip

[JayPunchbuggy]

No problem, Phillip.

I wasn't trying to stear you in one direction or the other. Glad you found my info useful in coming to a decision. I very nearly went for an Eagle...

I definately think that the Vectric software is very good. I am using VCarvePro and love it. Cut2D will probably be good as well.

Let us know how it goes!

Jay

[martin54]

No problem, Phillip.

I wasn't trying to stear you in one direction or the other. Glad you found my info useful in coming to a decision. I very nearly went for an Eagle...

I definately think that the Vectric software is very good. I am using VCarvePro and love it. Cut2D will probably be good as well.

Let us know how it goes!

Jay

I looked at both vcarve pro & cut2d & both looked to be very user friendly which when you hate having to learn new software as much as I do is a good selling point. vcarve pro is obviously a much more complete package & if I had needed some sort of cad software then that would probably have been my choice. As it is I already had & was familiar with other vector based software so only really needed something to generate the toolpaths.
The other thing I liked about vetric was that having bought cut2d if in the future I decided I wanted to upgrade to say vcarve pro I got a discount that was almost equal to what I paid for cut2d.

[John S]

Main differences in VCP and Cut 2D is VCP has more features including V carving, nesting and the ability to use multiple tools.
It also had more CAD features but neither in my opinion have what i call decent CAD capabilities.

That in itself is no problem as there are loads of good and free 2D cad programs out there.

[martin54]

John are there any features that VCP has that make it worth having over Cut2D if nesting isn't a feature that bothers you & you don't have an ATC ?

I've got software for producing 2D vectors, not a CAD package but arty farty software as you called it lol. I opted for cut2d as all I thought I would really need is something to generate the toolpaths. Still all new to me so just wondering if I was missing something.