Questions / Issues (new threads)

CNC Routers

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 12:52:18 +0000

When you see CNC routers in YouTube videos, they always seem to use this cool cable tray stuff, that sort of curls back on itself, as the X and Y axis move. I searched for quite a while to see who supplies this stuff, and found the IGUS product, from famaga The price is not excessive – about $10/foot, and they have a wide range of sizes. You order it by the inch or foot. Shipped via USPS, thanks.

8051 Microcontroller

Wed, 04 Mar 2015 02:27:13 +0000

Hi.
Can I use contraptor with a 8051 microcontroller? Thanks

XY plotter

Mon, 25 Aug 2014 16:24:01 +0000

Hi!
Not absolutely I understand as you it was succeeded to connect servo to a pololu on XY plotter. I ask you to explain as it to make?

Buy Contraptor from Colombia

Thu, 19 Jun 2014 02:57:24 +0000

Good day…
I am interested in buying a Linear Motion Kit A
how long delay in sending it? they have it in stock…
I need a mobile number, please!

GCode Interpreter

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 19:21:18 +0000

I was able to compile the GCode Interpreter Arduino files but they only compile correctly when I select Boards - Arduino Duemilanove. This sounds correct, however, to upload the file, I need to specify either Arduino Due (Programming Port) or the Arduino Due (Native USB Port). When I select this, I get a lot of errors in the code. Obviously the code is fine as it compiles correctly when selecting the Arduino Duemilanove. If I just select the Arduino Duemilanove and specify the correct COM port, I get the following error: avrdude: stk500_getsync(): not in sync: resp=0x00

Has anyone compiled this using the Arduino Due and selecting either the Programming Port or the Native USB Port? If so, how did you do it so I can follow the same steps?

XY plotter v1 ???

Sat, 22 Feb 2014 22:28:59 +0000

Where are the files, site does not seem to work, cant get a bill of materials or any info to build the XY plotter v1, can anyone please help on this issue.

Pronterface with reprap_new_firmware

Wed, 30 Oct 2013 19:38:11 +0000

I gave it a try and programmed my Gen7 like diy board with the reprap_new_firmware I downloaded from http://contraptor.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/contraptor/trunk/firmware/.

What isn't working is the buttons on the pronterface to go X Y Z 0.1, 1, 10, or 100 mm. It freezes the board, I have to reset it.

This is the output I get if I enable the debug gcode in pronterface.

SENT: G91 SENT: G1 Y10.0 F500 SENT: G90 RECV: got G91 SENT: M114 RECV: ok RECV: got G1 Y10.0 F500 RECV: ok RECV: got G90

I removed that debug looking "got G…" message (changed the code), but it didn't change much, the board still freezes.

SENT: G91 SENT: G1 Y10.0 F500 SENT: G90 RECV: ok SENT: M114 RECV: ok

This is how it looks, if I copy&paste the commands (one by one) to a terminal:

got G91 ok got G1 Y1.0 F500 ok got G90 ok got M114 Huh? M114 ok

Well, apparently M114 is not supported, but I changed the code to eliminate the "Huh? M114", and the board still freezes with pronterface.

Downloading a gcode file works.

Has anyone managed to make the buttons work in pronterface?

Thanks,
Miki.

Axis speeds on Mini-CNC

Mon, 26 Aug 2013 23:50:18 +0000

What speeds can I expect to achieve? On my Mini-CNC the top speed on XY is 600mm/min, on Z it's 450mm/min, before I start skipping steps, and get all sorts of nasty vibrations. Increasing the current limit on the motor drivers (hoping a stronger drive can hold steadier) didn't change anything.

I was wondering if I am vary far off, or is this really the maximum this construction can do. I am seeing expected feed rates (the sweet spot) above 1000mm/min for some operations.

Lubricant for delrin leadnut?

Fri, 16 Aug 2013 19:38:10 +0000

Is it against the rule? I mean delrin is supposed to be self lubricating, but I may just be too old fashioned, and would feel more comfortable not having that bad feeling of fast spinning metal heating the plastic and melting it.

Can I use lithium grease? Other discussions say nothing can really harm delrin.

Paid help for anyone in Miami, FL that can help build a contraptor

Fri, 16 Aug 2013 13:52:12 +0000

I would love to get my contraptor completed but don't really have enough time and would love for someone that can help out in finish it up. I'll pay you for your time.

leadnut mount fabrication

Sat, 20 Jul 2013 21:25:07 +0000

Is there a particular reason why the leadnut mount is fabricated from 1"x1" angle aluminum? It's 3/4" x 11/16", and I can see it's probably cleaner to cut the 11/16" from 1" than 3/4", but why cut at all? As far as I can see it could be 3/4" x 3/4", I don't see anything in the way at the ends of the lead screw, that would require the 11/16" dimension.

Of course, I am 3 dimensionally challenged, so I may just not see the big picture…

Thanks,
Miki.

timig belt width

Sat, 20 Jul 2013 16:38:39 +0000

I am sorry if it's just me not finding it, but how thick timimg belt do I need for a mini-CNC?

Part Number Belt Type Pitch No. Of Grooves Belt Width Material Tension Member Pitch Length
Inch Inch
A 6B 3-120031 Single Sided .200" (XL) 120 0.3125 Polyurethane Kevlar 24
A 6B 3-120037 Single Sided .200" (XL) 120 0.375 Polyurethane Kevlar 24
A 6B 3-120025 Single Sided .200" (XL) 120 0.25 Polyurethane Kevlar 24
A 6B 3-120050 Single Sided .200" (XL) 120 0.5 Polyurethane Kevlar 24

Thanks,
Miki.

"Contraptor's $10 Alltronics" stepper motor

Thu, 18 Jul 2013 18:52:30 +0000

I am reading in the Contribute section about a "Contraptor's $10 Alltronics" stepper motor. I found a web site (www.alltronics.com) where they sell stepper motors, but I am not sure if it's really the one that the line refers to. There are several NEMA23 motors there, but none for $10.

In general, have you guys found some reliable, and not too expensive motor you would recommend? So far I ordered all my materials from the sources recommended in the part lists, and I was very happy with them. I have great confidence in your selection of sources. :-)

Thanks,
Miki.

looking for pre-fabricated rail supports and delrin rings

Sat, 13 Jul 2013 14:19:36 +0000

According to the instructions:

"Pre-fabricated rail supports will be available for purchase separately from a kit."

"Pre-fabricated rings will be available for purchase separately from a kit."

I guess they are still not available for purchase, at least I couldn't find them on contraptor.org.

I couldn't find any by internet search either.

Anyone knows a source I could by some from?

fabrication question

Fri, 05 Jul 2013 21:56:48 +0000

I started to fabricate the parts, and I am using a miter saw, but I couldn't find any blade producing kerf smaller than 1/8". What are you guys using to cut your aluminum?

I guess I will have to redo all the templates, to satisfy my thick blade. BTW, are the templates created from the 3D models? How? Or is it only the commercial version of SketchUp that can do that?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Contraptor firmware + arduino + easystepv4 + sparkfun motors

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 19:42:03 +0000

Hi guys (and girls, why not?):
I'm trying to make my own stepper driver based in the easystepv4 from sparfun (sparkfun product 10267). I used this motors also from sparkfun (spark fun product 10846).
I have 4 motors with 4 drivers (one x-axis, two y-axis and one z-axis). The motors have 400 steps per revolution and the easydriver without microstep configuration at all needs 6400 steps to complete a revolution (1/8 microstep?).

I can make the motors move with a function like

void step(boolean dir,int steps){ digitalWrite(dirPin,dir); delay(50); for(int i=0;i

 Note the delayMicrosecond() function. I try with different values for the delay and the motor stop working below 50 microseconds delay and start to vibrate frenetically.
 However, with the contraptor firmware the motors doesn't move at all, just a bit of vibration for less than a second (even in long moves, for example sending G1 X10000).
 Any ideas or directions?
 Best regards from Argentina (sorry about the English) and thanks in advance.
 Joaquin



XY Plotter size
Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:42:23 +0000

						 Hi,
 I am looking into building a XY plotter by using contraptor, but I would like to build it a bit bigger than the examples I've seen so far.
 What is the maximum size I can get by using the parts in the kit? I would want something that is able to plot in A3 or even a bit bigger if possible.
 thanx
 daniel 
				 	


custom machine designer
Sat, 22 Dec 2012 10:05:06 +0000

						 Hello;
 Im new to this group. Im a custom machine designer based in India. I design and build machines for companies here. You can view my work at www dot facebook dot com/Kalki dot Machines.
 Im keen on working with other machine builders here and helping them sort out issues which they have while building these products.
 Hope to hear a lot from this group.
 Regards
 Rahul Dhinakaran
 rahul dot dhinakaran at gmail dot com 
				 	


Alternative motor control
Tue, 27 Nov 2012 19:50:38 +0000

						 Hi all,
 I'm wondering what the feasability of not using the stepper control circuits and "directly" driving the stepper windings from the Arduino firmware would be.
 I know the Arduino can't directly drive the windings, I would be using a darlington pair plus protection diodes for each winding. What I'm interested in is bypassing the more expensive driver boards and using 4 pins per motor to do the stepping.
 I know that I would have to make code changes to the grbl firmware for the Arduino. I'm interested to know if it would be a fairly isolated change or if it would be a very difficult thing to do.
 Thanks!