X2 CNC Conversion

Hawkeye

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I've been following OakRidgeGuy's thread on converting his new mill to CNC.

http://www.hobby-machinist.com/showthread.php/9502-I-have-made-the-decision-to-CNC-it!

The timing is perfect, since the CNC bug bit me about a week and a half ago. I'd have sworn I was immune to this disease. All it took was one thought about how you'd need a CNC machine to make some shapes.

I had been thinking that I should probably sell the X2, since the ZX-25 and the 'newer' Victoria U2 were doing all of the work now. It turns out the X2 mini-mill is one of the most commonly converted mills, so there is a lot of information and materials available.

I ordered a set of 4 787 ounce-inch stepper motors with a power supply and control board the day after the obsession began. They arrived from China in good condition today. No directions or manual - just a catalog of more motors. No problem - like I said, there is a lot of information, mostly on fora like this one and some specifically aimed at CNC enthusiasts. BTW, these motors are way more powerful that this mill really needs. They may even work for my ZX-25.

I already downloaded Mach3 and installed it on my old desktop. Like they advise on the Mach3 web site, I'll get it all running to my satisfaction before I buy a license. Until I have that, it will run in demo mode.

I'm still waiting for three ballscrews and nuts and a control pendant made to work with Mach3. The pendant has been committed to the postal system, but there's still no notice of shipping on the ballscrews. Do some eBay orders ship with no notification?

More to come. I have a lot to learn.
 
yes the chinese shipping is their mail and does not start showing up if at all until it is in the U.S. my ballscrews took about 3 or 4 weeks. but everything i have ever ordered has always arrived.
any help with the wiring and setup of your controllers you might need just ask.
post some pics when you can
are you getting a uc100 from cnc4pc?
steve
 
The control board is a TB6560. It connects directly to the computer and is compatible with Mach3. Can be set for up to 16 microsteps.

I got the torque numbers backwards. It is actually 878. These things are monsters. 3 kg each. 14mm output shafts.
 
can you give me the item number or part number off the motors?
steve
 
eBay item number is 270753584100

One reason I went for that one was that it was one that included Mach3. I since found out two things: If it is Mach3, it will likely run in demo mode and still need the license (no problem); It isn't Mach3 - It's a Chinese program called HY CNC. I haven't tried running it yet.
 
everything looks good the tb6560 is for mach3 but it will not be licenced i'm sure
i wish i would have found those motors before i did my lathe, only 2amps and 6.4v
i bookmarked that. why, i dont know i'm out of things to cnc right now :lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:
steve
 
mike
i have an affliction i just ordered 3 of those motors and a 36v power supply to fit my tb6560 board....
I have no idea what i'm going to build lol
this is truely a disease
steve
 
Could always CNC three doorknobs.
 
eBay item number is 270753584100

One reason I went for that one was that it was one that included Mach3. I since found out two things: If it is Mach3, it will likely run in demo mode and still need the license (no problem); It isn't Mach3 - It's a Chinese program called HY CNC. I haven't tried running it yet.

Shipping is $145? :nuts:
 
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