Well, i got my control box kit in, i got a 4 axis controller from CNC4PC and decided to save a little money and put it together myself. Got the box on Wednesday and opened it up and wow are there a lot of parts in that box. I will be taking some pics this weekend as I strive to assemble it. Might be a good tutorial as i work through the thing one piece at a time. It's going to be a challenge, the box itself even has to be put together. The bottom plate has about 60 pre-drilled and tapped holes, but there is no documentation as to what goes in what hole. There is a basic layout diagram of the box, but it's not very detailed. This is going to be a fun challenge, and i will share it with you all. So, the basics of what came is a C32 ethernet breakout board, ethernet smoothstepper card, 3 each KL8056 drivers, 1 KL8070 driver, KL600 power supply, and various other boards for relays, and miscellaneous small parts. It even comes with connecting wire, the kit is pretty complete, i must say.
I'm going to have to practice my soldering skills a little also, i'm a little rusty at that, been a while.
I haven't decided yet how or where i'm going to mount the box when it is assembled. the sides have ears for a rack mount, but I don't think i want to mount it directly on the machine when chips and coolant start flying. I have been considering getting a 12U mobile rack to put it in, then i can get a 4u server compartment and build a pc to put in there and have it all self contained in one unit. the mobile racks are a little spendy though, i'll have to think a little more on that.
