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CNC Router! (Drawing Ukulele Components)

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CNC Router! (Drawing Ukulele Components)

Postby Malc2098 » 30 Dec 2021, 15:30

IMG_6383 2.JPG
(338.4 KiB)



Well wrapped for its journey, and I only ordered it on the 18th!
Last edited by Malc2098 on 03 Aug 2022, 16:56, edited 28 times in total.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router!

Postby Mike G » 30 Dec 2021, 15:42

What are you going to do with that, Malc?
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router!

Postby fezman » 30 Dec 2021, 16:06

Which one Malc, I keep toying with the idea myself. Have a conflict on ambitions and space.

Be nice for a WIP build and first cut :D
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router!

Postby Andyp » 30 Dec 2021, 16:07

Good on yer Malc!

I have an incline as to what it will be used for. Can't wait to see the results.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router!

Postby Woodbloke » 30 Dec 2021, 16:32

This looks good; very interested to see what you're going to do with it - Rob
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router!

Postby novocaine » 30 Dec 2021, 16:37

I see neck carving and perfect fingerboards in your future. :lol:

Not to mention jigs a plenty.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router!

Postby Malc2098 » 30 Dec 2021, 16:39

Mike G wrote:What are you going to do with that, Malc?


A good question, Mike, I'd say if I were sat on the stage at a conference! :)

First I've got to assemble it, which also means wiring all the controls, drivers, motors and switches, even before I start bolting all the extrusions and linear bearings together and fitting the stepper motors and spindle.

As far as I am aware, both the hardware and software are Open Source, so while the supplier will support any issues with the hardware, the software is supported on the net through open source users. That will be a challenge for me, so I won't rush it.

Initially I would like to make the jigs that support my guitar and ukulele construction.

Eventually I hope to be able to shape the components of the instruments I make so that I have consistently accurate parts. Ultimately, I would like to shape the whole of an acoustic guitar neck, including its headstock and heel.

I also intend to cut the inlays from maybe mother of pearl, and their sockets.

Along the way, while I'm learning, maybe I can cut a few Zigidy Men :D and perhaps Xmas tree decorations, the little hanging sort, or whatever comes to mind that helps me learn the trickier stuff.
Last edited by Malc2098 on 30 Dec 2021, 16:42, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router!

Postby Malc2098 » 30 Dec 2021, 16:41

fezman wrote:Which one Malc, I keep toying with the idea myself. Have a conflict on ambitions and space.

Be nice for a WIP build and first cut :D



Go for it, Ian!

You can go down to 500mm x 500mm or up to 1500 x1500. I've gone for 750 x 1000 to suit my footprint and the size of workpieces I hope to make.

Bulkman 3D QueenBee Pro.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router!

Postby Malc2098 » 30 Dec 2021, 16:45

Oh, and I've got to find an old Laptop with Windows to use for the CadCam application which only runs on Windows.

Still clearing out M-i-Ls flat who died in September, and found hers. Mission Control and her brother and sister have kindly said I can have that.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router!

Postby novocaine » 30 Dec 2021, 16:50

Use freecad for the design part.
You could get fusion for free at one point. Now im not so sure.
I can talk you through freecad if you need help.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router!

Postby DaveL » 30 Dec 2021, 17:00

Well done, that's an upgraded version my workbee!
Fusion 360 is still free for hobby use, but they have removed some of the more advanced features.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router!

Postby Malc2098 » 30 Dec 2021, 17:01

novocaine wrote:Use freecad for the design part.
You could get fusion for free at one point. Now im not so sure.
I can talk you through freecad if you need help.



Thanks, but I think I will go with one of Vectric's products, not sure which yet, but because it also manages the toolpaths and gcode.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router!

Postby Dr.Al » 30 Dec 2021, 17:06

What model is it? I'll look forward to seeing this come together and what you produce with it. I'd love one given the space, but that isn't going to happen anytime soon. I bought a 3D printer a few weeks ago and I'm quite enjoying playing with that at the mo. I'm sure I'm going to be feeling very jealous as you post various pictures of what you make with it!

Oh, for design, Onshape is very very good and free for personal use.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router!

Postby Malc2098 » 30 Dec 2021, 18:07

Dr.Al wrote:What model is it? I'll look forward to seeing this come together and what you produce with it. I'd love one given the space, but that isn't going to happen anytime soon. I bought a 3D printer a few weeks ago and I'm quite enjoying playing with that at the mo. I'm sure I'm going to be feeling very jealous as you post various pictures of what you make with it!

Oh, for design, Onshape is very very good and free for personal use.



It's the Bulkman 3D Queenbee Pro.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router!

Postby Malc2098 » 30 Dec 2021, 18:09

I have researched the marketplace and have looked at British, Austrian, German, Portuguese, American, Canadian, Australian and Far Eastern suppliers. Some of them only supplied their machines as fixed sizes and a completed machine delivered on a pallet. I almost bought and identical version of this one from Australia, but the price and shipping were much more than the Chinese supplier I decided to go with.

I entered into a discussion with the Chinese supplier before I decided to buy and they answered all my questions promptly and clearly. I had my Far Eastern in-laws check the company which turned out to be fine.

I then chose one of the sizes that this company offered to match my footprint of the table saw, its home on top of which when it's operating, and for the length of components I planned to shape. (I've yet to work out a way of storing the CNC when it's not operating, but I'll find a way. ;) )

I also ordered a few more bits of hardware which online users of the machine advised, and the company added them to the order without any further shipping charges.

I'm not entirely sure but I think this company supplies the others with the hardware for this Open Source design.

I only ordered this on the 18th, and it's here already. Royal Mail have lost two of our parcels to family over a longer period this month.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router! Unboxing.

Postby Malc2098 » 30 Dec 2021, 21:34

So here goes.

IMG_6385.JPG
(314.74 KiB)
Box 1

Drag chains
Power supply
Stepper motors
Collets for ER11 Chuck
Transport end plates
Linear bearings
Nuts and bolts and stuff



IMG_6386.JPG
(267.85 KiB)
Box 2

Cabling
Dust shoe
Switches
More nuts and bolts and stuff
Control box
VFD inverter for spindle speed control (Variable Frequency Driver)
Cutters



IMG_6387.JPG
(209.58 KiB)
Box 3
Bearing rails




IMG_6388.JPG
(218.12 KiB)
Box 4
Extrusions and lead screws




Tomorrow, I'll check everything against the order.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router! Unboxing.

Postby Robert » 31 Dec 2021, 11:00

Yes OK I'm jealous!

I've had a shortcut to the Workbee site on my desktop for over a year now. Puzzling over where I could fit it in and failing is the main reason for not ordering. Not done any research on other sources.

I'm going to need all the details of where and how much etc once i see this built.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router! Unwrapping.

Postby Malc2098 » 31 Dec 2021, 16:51

I unwrapped it today and have gone through the inventory.

The cardboard boxes it came in were double corrugated and had plastic straps around two axes and sellotaped around all three axes..

All the aluminium extrusions had polythene sheet stuck on them and they were packed with polystyrene between every piece. The steel rails and lead screws were also packed separately with an oil preservative that will have to be cleaned off for assembly.

Every single one of these metal parts was individually wrapped, so no one part touched another or the inside of the box.
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(308.05 KiB)



Then it was on to the other two boxes. All the tiny bags of screws etc were labelled, making checking against the inventory so much easier.
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Nothing appeared damaged but there were some missing parts. Three limit switches, 16 M3 12mm button head screws were missing and 120 M4 16mm socket head screws had been supplied instead of 120 M4 button 16mm head screws.

The linear bearings had a different model number than those on the inventory and the DC cable from the inverter to the spindle was allegedly supposed to be welded (soldered), but was just bare both ends. All other wiring was labeled and was either tinned at both ends of had mini spade terminals.

But that was it. I've messaged the supplier through the messaging service of AliExpress on my account, and I'm pretty sure they will reply overnight. I get the impression they are so intent of me, the client, giving them 5 stars on AliExpress, that they will resolve the issues quickly.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router! Unwrapping.

Postby Andyp » 31 Dec 2021, 16:55

Wow, and I used to make do with Meccano.

Good luck with the set up.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router! Unwrapping.

Postby Robert » 31 Dec 2021, 17:18

I was a bit confused seeing all those linear bearing rails but just found the machines on ali-ex and all is clear now. double rails each side. The metal punching CNCs that i used to use only had single rails but 2 bearings spaced apart on each rail brought rigidity. Can't see one bearing just above another being as rigid but has to be a lot better than the roller wheels in grooves I was looking at before.

So what happened with tax on the purchase? site says not included.

looking forward to seeing how you incorporate it into your workshop. I'm looking at the 1500 x 1000 and wondering if I could find a place for it!
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router! Unwrapping.

Postby Malc2098 » 31 Dec 2021, 17:49

Robert wrote:I was a bit confused seeing all those linear bearing rails but just found the machines on ali-ex and all is clear now. double rails each side. The metal punching CNCs that i used to use only had single rails but 2 bearings spaced apart on each rail brought rigidity. Can't see one bearing just above another being as rigid but has to be a lot better than the roller wheels in grooves I was looking at before.

So what happened with tax on the purchase? site says not included.

looking forward to seeing how you incorporate it into your workshop. I'm looking at the 1500 x 1000 and wondering if I could find a place for it!



I'll PM you.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router! Unwrapping.

Postby Phil » 02 Jan 2022, 09:19

Nice one Malc! 8-)

Looking forward to see what you make.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router! Unwrapping.

Postby MY63 » 02 Jan 2022, 10:58

Nice :lol: Looking forward to watching.
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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router! Unwrapping.

Postby RogerM » 04 Jan 2022, 23:53

I've only just spotted this thread. Looks like a cracking project Malc. I'm looking forward to seeing this one progress.

Like others here, I'd love one but have been put off by the footprint and also whether I have the programming skills to actually make it do what I want. I never did get proficient at SketchUp! However, the footprint issue may be resolved for some of you with this project I spotted on Youtube.

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Re: I've only gone and bought a CNC Router! Unwrapping.

Postby Robert » 05 Jan 2022, 11:13

RogerM wrote:However, the footprint issue may be resolved for some of you with this project I spotted on Youtube.


I don't have room for more benches so it doesn't help me.

I've been daydreaming about some kind of pulley system to drag it vertical up a wall when not in use. That would mean cupboards currently full of stuff having to go. Still thinking..
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