Ar last!!! Started my Gantry 3-Axis CNC Build

**paulus.v** · 27-01-2017

Dust extraction should be a priority especially if you intend to machine MDF. It uses urea-formaldehyde as a bonding agent and the formaldehyde is a proved carcinogen besides other harmful effects.

Just watched your video and it doesn't look good to me with all that fine dust.

**MikeyC38** · 30-01-2017

Originally Posted by paulus.v

Dust extraction should be a priority especially if you intend to machine MDF. It uses urea-formaldehyde as a bonding agent and the formaldehyde is a proved carcinogen besides other harmful effects.

Just watched your video and it doesn't look good to me with all that fine dust.

Hi Paulus & Neil

Great minds do think alike and you are both perfectly correct. Since the video I have'nt done anymore cutting because I realised with the amount dust created just by surfacing, I needed a filtration system. So I ordered a cyclone off Amazon for an amazing price and lots of hose as shown below. I have an old VAX (2000 watts before the EU restrictions!!!) which should do the trick. Also making a dust hood for the spindle based on a design I found on Bjorn Makes YouTube Channel here

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**MikeyC38** · 29-03-2017

Hi Guys
Following on from the last post, I built my cyclone dust collector, and promptly crushed the barrel, when I put my hand over the end of pipe to check the suction!. Using a hot-air gun, I manged to un-collapse it and restore it's shape. Hunting around on the web, I found a design for a pressure relief value (here) and this design here using a 40mm PVC straight coupler and a neodymium magnet and it works brilliantly!
see pic

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Also, I have started some test cuts for the dust hood (see previous thread for youtube link!) and really pleased with the accuracy of the machine. The inner ring is 70mm dia +- 0.01mm!!
There are a couple of toolpath issues to sort out, but the code from Estlcam worked first time!

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I post a video on Youtube later.

Now just have to get the proximity switches working and we are fully done and ready to make chips!

Regards
Mike

**Nr1madman** · 12-02-2018

Nice work, great machine!

Thanks for the video.. now Im even more confused ;)

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**Nickhofen** · 14-02-2018

Nice thread and a great machine!!!

**MikeyC38** · 13-06-2018

I have another video here on youtube showing the re-levelling of the base board but this time with the dust hood fitted and showing the use of cyclone filter. I have an old (2kw) Vax 2000 which does the job perfectly. A big difference compared to a year ago when I first levelled the base board (see here)

**njhussey** · 15-06-2018

I've got the same set up (but with a CamVac instead of a Vax) and the cam vac only ever gets anything in it if the cyclone is full

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**MikeyC38** · 15-06-2018

Thanks Neil - I'll replace the Vax at some stage after I've used the machine a bit more. Right now stuck with having to do house diy prepping for my daughter's wedding. After that's done then back to CNC to finally do the following:

1. Get NPN Homing switches working..
2. Wire VFD into safety switch system. I've read somewhere that you should'nt cut the power to the VFD by switching the mains off but by send a stop signal to the VFD. Currently using Modbus-type communication plugin on Hunyang VFD for stop, start and speed control.

**routercnc** · 16-06-2018

Originally Posted by MikeyC38

Thanks Neil - I'll replace the Vax at some stage after I've used the machine a bit more. Right now stuck with having to do house diy prepping for my daughter's wedding. After that's done then back to CNC to finally do the following:

1. Get NPN Homing switches working..
2. Wire VFD into safety switch system. I've read somewhere that you should'nt cut the power to the VFD by switching the mains off but by send a stop signal to the VFD. Currently using Modbus-type communication plugin on Hunyang VFD for stop, start and speed control.

My wife was watching the Royal wedding recently and there was a comparison made to the dress worn on the previous Royal wedding. She said the other dress was much better and asked my opinion. ‘They are all great- just variations on a theme’. Apparently this was not the right answer.

2) Yes, send stop signal to the VFD. My understanding is that the spindle will spool down and the back EMF could damage it if power is removed. You can use a delay timer if you really want to cut power after a second or two. But for home DIY machines this is not commonly done.

**MikeyC38** · 16-06-2018

Originally Posted by routercnc

My wife was watching the Royal wedding recently and there was a comparison made to the dress worn on the previous Royal wedding. She said the other dress was much better and asked my opinion. ‘They are all great- just variations on a theme’. Apparently this was not the right answer.

2) Yes, send stop signal to the VFD. My understanding is that the spindle will spool down and the back EMF could damage it if power is removed. You can use a delay timer if you really want to cut power after a second or two. But for home DIY machines this is not commonly done.

I agree with you on item 1 - That's why I have never bought clothes for my wife - I give her the money to make her own choice because whatever I chose it would still be wrong!

Regarding item 2 I have'nt got any ideas at the moment how to do this so will look through the forum for some ideas. My initial thoughts was to do something through the 0-10v input but as my VFD is using Modbus then this might not work..