JBEC router system UNDER THE BONNET

[StoneyCNC]

In relation to the comments and opinions that have been put up on this thread we have had a meeting with JBEC and the German machine builder and had a discussion. Firstly we would like to be clear on a few key points in this response so that the message is not taken out of context. We would also like to advise the general audience of this forum to be mindful of relativity and comments and opinions that can be taken out of context.

1. Profiled rails (THK and HIWIN for example) are the best linear translation system for a CNC application.
2. There is a mine of exceptional information on this forum and the active members go to significant effort to help others and in our opinion are enhancing the CNC community in the UK no end – we commend this – it’s a fantastic resource.
3. We are of the opinion that there is a disconnect on the forum between a commercial CNC system and a full on informed home build. The two approaches in terms of the manufacturer and the end user fall into very different categories. The general jist of what we have read on our, and indeed other posts, is that “nothing is ever perfect”. We would ask the general audience to consider the difference between a home build DIY CNC machine vs a machine that is produced in volume, commissioned with training and supported actively by the supplier. The two scenarios are very different and the perceived “value” needs to be put in context.
4. We approached this forum with the aim to help the CNC community be more productive and to offer our share of experience to those interested or looking for help – as well as to inform of the products we offer. We felt our experience and ability to supply CNC equipment and control products could benefit the community.
5. We are not here to make a quick buck, we believe in our system and our reputation in IRL. We would not be offering and supporting the system in the UK if we did not stand by it.
6. Anyone who feels they have the ability to do a DIY CNC home build should do so and spend the money and get the extra functionality. This extra performance comes at the expense of your own time to make it happen and the inevitable head scratching. If you ever give yourself the opportunity – do it! You’ll not regret it.
7. Those who opt for an off the shelf solution should be given access to a fair and honest information source about the relative performance aspects the CNC systems on offer.

Linear rails
There is no question that the linear profiled rail and carriage system is the highest performing linear mechanism there is for CNC applications – hands down. Linear rails are the only system that can provide load ratings for even the most-high spec CNC applications only allowing motion STICTLY in their desired direction of movement. However, the tolerance levels demanded of a CNC system using profiled rails is in the order of microns in bed tram and global machine alignment. This is why when you look under the bonnet of any big commercial machine they will be there.

Typically therefore, linear rails suit machine builds where solid steel or equivalent machine beds are machined with precision to take such a rail system and to realise the accuracy they can provide. Either that or great lengths and effort have to be gone through to make them work on other frame designs. Applying a linear rail does not add the performance of the rail system if it is not backed up by the bed design, precision and stability. Only then can twist and tram be true and give the level of performance that the rails can realise. In order that the performance of such profiled rails can be fully realised depends on the bed design.
Hats off to Jonathan’s latest build http://www.mycncuk.com/forums/router...g-machine.html. What a great insight into CNC machine building - the level of detail and open source nature of the build is fantastic and there is no questioning the level of work that has gone in and the result is a good machine – the video speaks for itself. For someone looking to build a machine this and other such posts on this forum are an exceptional source of information – far above and beyond any consultancy invoice. Hard detail is given at every step - invaluable.



Contextually the build has highlighted the importance of the bed alignment in a CNC system. The welded frame predictably has twisted and bent from the thermal loading generated by the welded frame and this design decision has challenged the use of a profiled rail from the outset. This has been clearly illustrated by the work required to align the rails on the machine and to align the machine for accuracy – tram and twist etc. It may well have been the most cost effective frame build in a DIY context but it is not sustainable commercially. Also the estimated price tag of 4-5k not including the time and extensive know how gives the general audience a feel for the cost and effort that goes into a “sufficiently stiff” CNC router. There is also the question of relieving the stresses in the welds and the long term stability of the bed.
There is also the question of Mach3 lost position? Possibly due to missed steps perhaps due to some slight lock up – eliminated by the cleaner pulse trains from Linux giving more motor performance perhaps? Unless there is a software issue with Mach (not passing the driver test – or other quirk) then the software fix (move to linux) has potentially overcome what is actually a hardware issue? Perhaps there was a motion controller used with Mach3 and not a LPT - in which case the previously stated possible issues are invalid. These and other comments are based on images and description and are therefore limited in the amount of information available and cannot be taken as conclusive, but purely observational.
In the words of JAZZ “First let me say not going to pull it apart or condemn because the machine is very well thought out and professionally put together” The comments and message in the previous two paragraphs are aimed at putting some context behind what we feel have been very strong statements towards our design on the basis of a “digital viewing” – handed over in detail and in a timely fashion not attempting to “hide” anything – but in essence are only observational context.
If every second machine didn’t work with Mach we couldn’t offer it. It has to work every time, every machine. The machine has to be stable long term. The bed is put together with refined assembly processes in Germany. The system is very portable and retains its performance in transit and does not require any tuning on arrival. It arrives and it works. Here are a few videos of the machine being put through its paces. (no backlash/geometric compensation was used in any video posted to date)





The JBEC CNC router series linear slide system went through a full digital mock up (DMU) and was also been mechanically tested and refined in a physical kinematic system analysis. For intellectual property reasons further details will not be disclosed. On the bigger machines with a different application space profile rails are used. We are working on a bigger machine currently that will indeed adopt profiled rail due to its size and performance parameters and consequently will have a bigger price tag.





We feel that such severe comments should not be made on the basis of a digital viewing without access to materials, BOM with fits and tolerances. We, JBEC and our German colleagues welcome criticism based on the machine in action and subjected to tests.



In light of the above post content JBEC wished to explicitly convey the following message.

• JBEC has opted not to use welded frames in CNC builds as it is too difficult to machine/prepare the frame surfaces for profiled rails. It is viewed as not a viable option to mount a profiled rail on such a system commercially.
• JBEC has concerns over the use of welded frames long term, as table stability will be a major concern. Any stress relief or shift in the frame alignment will cause the rails to misalign and the machine will lock up/ torque out.
• JBEC strives to match the components to suit the design/market sector and end user and to provide an economical and fair cost basis.
• JBEC recommends the use of only HIWIN or THK Rails on the larger Bed type machines which will be made from machined steel to maximise the accuracy and precision
• The JBEC series machine is tried and tested, has long term stability and hits heavy in the functionality and performance on offer in the target market and is more than fit for purpose.

Our German machine builder is of the opinion
that a commended and tested design should not be likened to a skateboard for the reasons stated heretofore.



Our philosophy is that CNC technology empowers people, business and education, and that the product, correctly placed and supported with appropriate training, can help to provide new employment. The JBEC system and CNC support is helping to grow small and developing SME’s in Ireland and JBEC has seen a rise in the level of production here as a result of the machines sold into the Irish market to date.. Indigenous business growth is an important economic pillar in the fight against mass production from abroad. We don’t manufacture indigenously enough here...... This needs to change. It is for these reasons and due the demand for a professional CNC router platform within this price bracket that we have taken on supporting the machine both here in Ireland and in the UK.

We were curious as to why some of the competition was not present here and we now have a feel for possibly why.

It is important to recognise that there is a goldmine of detailed information on this forum and the active members do a great deal for members and go to significant effort to help out members and in our opinion are enhancing the CNC community in the UK no end – we commend this – it’s a fantastic resource. It is also VITAL for safety aspects of CNC when people try to build machines.

However we are considering whether or not to continue with a presence in this forum. We set out to provide and support a professional CNC router with the best available components and within a modest budget. We are confident that this has been achieved with the JBEC Professional Series, that the machines themselves will “do the talking”, and that we welcome any further enquiries at [email protected]


We are now an official supplier of Mach3, CNC Drive motion control electronics and of the Fogbuster coolant delivery system.


For what its worth here are a few examples of work done in house just to show that we are not just a CNC supermarket.

Aluminium bike parts


In house machining


In house machining


Built enclosure for small machine



Mould machining