Woodpecker CNC - 3018 CNC

Discussion in 'Tools' started by paul_l, Dec 27, 2017.

  1. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Woodpecker CNC - 3018 CNC

    Just a taster - i'm still printing off the assembly instructions - actually just a set of drawings / pictures.

    Well here is what Santa's helpers dropped off.

    [​IMG]

    Finally got to open the box

    To get a usb cable, mains cable with a US 2 pin end, mini CD, and a build plate.

    [​IMG]

    Removing these and a 25mm piece of foam gives the next bunch - support bars and brackets, screws and allen keys, adapter plugs for UK and EU some drive mounts and the controller board.

    [​IMG]

    And the final layer gives the extruded alluminium frame bars, power supply, stepper motors for the X & Y axis, additional support brackets for the frame Z axis and the assembled spindle motor and Z axis unit.

    [​IMG]

    I'm impressed with the packaging everything is well protected and nothing rattles about.

    A link with a login code is provided to download the latest assembly instructions and software, although versions are provided on the CD.

    The software provided to control the CNC is Grbl Control.
    Also provided is Artcam - for creating Gcode instructions for Grbl Control, and CopperCam a PCB creation tool. I have yet to play with these :thumbs:

    Next will be the assembly, but that will need to wait until tomorrow .

    Paul
     
  2. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    You are just teasing again. Does it come with a hammer? :avatar:it all looks very interesting. I hope all goes well with the assembly. You'll be in CNC heaven by the weekend. :thumbs:
     
  3. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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    That looks interesting Paul can't wait to see what it can do.

    Super well packed :thumbup: wish every company took that much care with there products transport.

    I wish I could make friends with the design programs to make the best use of these special tools.:faint:
     
  4. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Hi Paul,

    By CNC do you mean a CNC milling machine?

    Edit - Ignore that I have just Googled it.
     
  5. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    SMR CHRIS wrote:
    Oh Boy, I couldn't agree with Chris more, all these programmes are a step too far for me! At one stage in my varied career, I used to run a CNC router/cutter in a large carton print works, but fortunately the programmes were provided to me by A.N. Other! I'm all for progress and making jobs easier and quicker, but programming?.....Nah!
    Keith.
     
  6. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Hi Guy's

    Hopefully it will machine Brass, according toi the specs it will machine wood, mdf, plywood, acrylics, alluminium, copper and soft metals - I'm hoping brass and nickel silver are soft enough - just need to adjust the depth of cut and speeds accordingly.

    As for the programs things have changed a lot, you no longer need to programme in Gcode (you can if you want and there plenty of tutorials on youtube to try). Many vector art packages (e.g. Inkscape) can export DXF files, which can be imported into CAM packages to produce the Gcode.

    So you could design a house front, with brick courses, window and door apertures etc. etc in Inkscape, then export (or save as) as a DXF file and import that file into Artcam (provided with the cnc m/c). The material thickness etc can all be setup in the software, and finally generate the cut file for the controller to use (the Gcode). Hopefully I will do this bit at the end of the build :whatever:.

    So looks like Toto's mojo has headed north, and arrived at Dundee.

    Unpacking the bits - we get lots of goodie bags

    [​IMG]

    and some rails

    [​IMG]

    Assembling up the first frame, the corner brackets are easy to fit and align

    [​IMG]
    Making up frame 1 - the base.
    [​IMG]

    The two rails close together at the top need to be 68mm apart, the nearest I could get was 68.9mm. looking at the casting I could see a small burr.
    [​IMG]

    A quick hit with a file (no not a hammer) and 68mm spot on (well 67.98 - I can live with that).

    Next Frame 2

    [​IMG]
    The top and bottom rails here need to be 96mm apart.

    And putting the two together

    [​IMG]

    Adding the additional brace - a 3D printed part.

    [​IMG]

    Now for the build platform - and here I found a mistake in the instructions. According to the diagram the slide bar support center is 70mm from the inside edge of the frame, then 160mm between the centers and another 70 to the end of the bar (300mm in total) however the bar is 360mm in length, the build plate is 300mm long.
    [​IMG]
    So I built up the bearing assemblies on the underside of the build plate - to approx the positions as per the drawing
    [​IMG]
    Then fitted the build plate to the slides and frame brackets.
    [​IMG]
    A bit of fine adjustment and its sitting square - a little tweaking is required to get the bearings to run a bit smoother.
    [​IMG]
    Now the x axis and z axis / motor spindle assembly

    Again mount the slide rod supports, securing the top one flush with the top of the stanchion.

    The bottom brackets fitted but loose.

    The Top Slide bar is inserted and both top brackets adjusted.

    The slide bar is then eased out of one side enough to allow the z axis / motor assembly to be inserted.

    Next the bottom slide is inserted, and the bar clamps nipped up.

    The whole assembly is slide to the right and the top right bracket fully tightened.

    Now move the assembly to the left and tighten the top left bracket.

    Slide to both ends to ensure free movement, then with the assembly at the left side tighten the Left bottom bracket, and finally move to the right and tighten the bottom right bracket.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Next up fit the motors and lead screws - but that will be later

    Paul
     
  7. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Looks a beautifully made bit of kit Paul. Seems like you're going into manufacturing rather than model railways!:giggle:

    Keith.
     
  8. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    It does look very good. a nice bit of kit. beyond me I'm afraid. the dark side shall have a bit of a boost I suspect :avatar:
     
  9. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Keith M wrote:
    Depends on what his lord and master needs next :avatar:

    With Brass / Nickel Silver I want to try and make Loco chassis frames and spacers.

    The engraving looks very useful for making wagon and building sides.

    And the clincher is the ability to make PCB's.

    Now looking at the motor mounts there is four little V's - the corners of a square, which allows for the mounting of a laser - ooooooo the Dark side can have its own light sabre :avatar:

    Paul
     
  10. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    With it being described as an engraver I did wonder whether it was capable of milling brass/nickel or whether it would be restricted to just engraving it.



    What thickness brass/nickel will it cope with?
     
  11. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Hi Ron

    It doesn't mention Brass or Nickel Silver by name, just Copper Ally and soft metals.

    But there are video's up on youtube - machining a braas branding iron, so I'm guessing if I keep the linear speed and depth of cut down it should be doable.



    I have purchased a few sets of 1/8th shaft end mills 0.6mm to 1.5mm and 1.5mm to 3.0.
    On order are a set of 10 0.8 carbide burrs.

    So I shall test it with a strip of brass.

    One of the first tests with Ally (I have a block approx 6" x 4" x 1") is to make a jig to assemble crossing V's, a straight channel down the center with a 1in5, 1in6, 1in7 & 1in8 channel that would intersect beyond the edge of the jig to allow the joint to be soldered. Double sided, code 124 bull head on one side , and code 75 on the other.

    Paul
     
  12. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Compensation bogies could be a goer ....... :thumbs:
     
  13. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    What a fantastic addition to your work bench Paul:thumbs:, can't wait to see you put it through its paces, I note also you have armed yourself with the old mug of tea also :avatar:. Nice one indeed.
    cheers Paul
     
  14. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Tea ..... oh no ..... Coffee black nae sugar ... I need the caffine.

    Got the motors fitted this evening, but company stopped play.

    Back to work tomorrow, so will post the pics up later.

    Paul
     
  15. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    marching on there :thumbs:
    toto
     
  16. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    paul_l wrote:
    That's a blow going back on Friday, I elected to make mine a couple of weeks so I am not back until the 8th.
     
  17. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    back on the 3rd as well - another startup - whoopee :whatever:

    Luckily today was fairly quiet, would have been better if the building heating was working - the steam pipe had sprung a leak, so it's getting repaired. Just had to keep getting cups of coffee to keep warm :lol:, only downside is you have to keep making room for the next one.

    Now for the pics promised yesterday

    The X & Y axis motors (Nema17's) get the mounting plates installed

    [​IMG]
    Next the X axis screw support was fitted to the left hand side - loose at the moment.
    [​IMG]
    Now the lead screw was passed through the support, then the nut screwed part way on, and the anti-backlash spring added.
    [​IMG]

    only a few turns of thread are exposed (less than in the picture above), then the lead screw is inserted into the carriage assembly, and screwed into the captive nut in the carriage block, compressing the sring. This compressed spring stops the backlash - a simple technique that will probably find its way into the next traverser build.

    Next the blue coupling is fixed to the leadscrew.
    [​IMG]
    The carriage assembly is then move3d over the the right hand side and the the motor is aligned with the coupling and tightened in place
    You can just see the captive nut in the photo below just to the left of the blue coupling.

    [​IMG]

    The carriage assembly is then moved over to the left hand side and the support bracket tightened up.

    Next up the Y axis motor
    [​IMG]

    and from the underside - you can see the spring loaded nut in the center.

    [​IMG]
    And finally on its feet
    [​IMG]

    Got to check the support bracket placement, as the drawing and instructions have it as fitted above, but i've seen videos and other descriptions of it fitted at the front.

    Hopefully this evening will get the controller board and motor wiring fitted.

    Paul
     
  18. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    10 mins to plug in the cables and secure the Grbl Controller board - I will tidy the wires up once its tested.

    Relocate the cnc downstairs to where the PC is - I now have a PC to build up for it.

    Loaded the usb driver, started the software.

    Connected the usb and the controller board booted up.

    Now the biggy connected the 24V power supply and clicked some buttons on the screen



    https://youtu.be/7_kHmI-u6vQ

    It works :thumbs:

    Paul
     
  19. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Ahhhhhh ..... you'll be happy chappy then. looks very good Paul. Now .... just to work out the software and set it a test task and you will be all the way. If you get the hang of it as fast as the 3D printer, the orders will be flowing in in no time. :avatar:
    well done Maestro
    :thumbs:

    toto
     
  20. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    On hold at the mo - spent most of the evening in bed - caught a chill :whatever:
     

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