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XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 9:19 pm
by BeJay
So it begins...

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Started construction of the 1000mm2 baby, will update when I get some time to finish it ;)

Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 9:35 pm
by parkview
Awesome, I will be following your posts!

Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 10:16 pm
by BeJay
Cheers Paul ;)

Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 11:08 am
by seaton
nice one, will be following the build in anticipation

Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2015 9:41 pm
by BeJay
Had some time today to wire up the steppers and move it. It's alive-ish. Need to finish the 240 wiring and fit a breaker etc. Such a lot of wiring to go and testing / calibration. Progress though.

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Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2015 9:58 pm
by parkview
Keep them coming! Love the over head camera shot. Is that a RPi camera?

Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 10:27 pm
by BeJay
Hey Paul, yes it sure is. The same PiLapseCam I used at robofair ;) Today I managed motion!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiDYDhFJEls

Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2015 7:09 am
by parkview
Nice one there BeJay!

Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 12:05 am
by BeJay
Here is a timelapse of opening the box to doing a test carve ;)

https://youtu.be/d8slG_Lr_ms

Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 9:47 am
by Jubbp
Too cool!! :) :)

Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 7:17 pm
by parkview
Loved the video there BeJay, well done. Great music track too :)

Early days yet, but any thoughts on adding a laser head to it?

Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 9:37 pm
by seaton
Looking at the video you posted I'm impressed by the size of it. Might have to look at one when I eventually get my workshop.

Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 9:56 pm
by seaton
Just think how much easier it would have been to make your PiCade :)

Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 10:14 pm
by parkview
and how thick a sheet of wood can it cut? Say MDF or pine?

Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 8:40 pm
by BeJay
Sorry I haven't got back to your comments, I've been flat out again.

Yes this is a big girl. I was going to get a 300x300mm but thought this would be much more versatile than just for doing PCBs (which is what I wanted it for). This is 1000x1000mm and can cut 790x790mm. The clearance is 50mm to the Z axis, but you need longer router bits (or extenders) to cut that far. The average cutting depth is around 18-20mm on a standard 1/8" bit. It cuts just about everything! I've tried Ply, Pine, Acrylic, MDF, but no metal yet as it does eat through the tools (bits). 400W is pretty good but I think you'd want to go up to 1.2kW if cutting anything harder than Aluminium.

Tools:
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I also 3D printed a dust extractor tip:
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So now I've been fiddling with the "workflow" for this beast. It is so different to 3D printing, as you basically draw things in 2D with something vectorish like inkscape, and then add the 0.5D or Z depth by setting each cut or drill in a CAM program like makerCAM. So still a lot of experimentation to go before it's as easy as slicing in 3D printing! So once I've had more time to play with this (it's quite loud when carving, so no night use!), I'll post some more updates. Yes it would have been perfect to make the PiCade with, so now I have to think up more things to make!

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Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 9:43 pm
by parkview
Thanks for the feedback BeJay. Sounds like it's quite flexible. Love the vac attachment. Well done.

Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2015 10:19 pm
by BeJay
Cheers Paul,

Here is my Vacuum adapter in action!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYwOtjnbP6k

Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 9:51 am
by seaton
BeJay wrote:Cheers Paul,

Here is my Vacuum adapter in action!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYwOtjnbP6k


Nice one! Dust and Noise are the only downside to CNC, especially when living in a built up area, which is why mine is currently in storage...sigh

Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:58 pm
by BeJay
Sure is noisy, but worth the risk when you can make pretty cool stuff out of everyday materials!

Re: XYZ Carve - Aussie version of an X-Carve

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 11:53 pm
by seaton
BeJay wrote:Sure is noisy, but worth the risk when you can make pretty cool stuff out of everyday materials!


Oh Yeah!!! :D