Hello.
I just received my mini-cnc subset ( thanks a lot ! ), and I'll try logging thing here as I build it.
You can find all the pictures also on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/arthurwolf/sets/72157623876165406/
And the videos also on Youtube : http://www.youtube.com/user/chenillonage
About the build, I'll build the miniCNC itself the exact way it is supposed to, but as I already have the electronics/motor, I'll use what I have, that is :
- 3 x Pololu Stepper motor driver , 2A, 35V, Bipolar, 16 steps microstepping -> 12,95$ each
- 3 x 5718X-01E Alltronics bipolar stepper motor, nema23, 200 steps, 2A -> 9,95 each
- 1 x Arduino pro mini : 18.95$
Day 1.
Here = Spain, so it took like a week to ship.
It came as two shipments, a tube for the long parts and a box for the rest.
Nothing's missing, and everything is shinny and looks very cool.
Picture of the package's content :
Same thing, but with tape removed :
So then I went online to http://www.contraptor.org/mini-cnc-subset, and started following instructions.
For each part type I assembled, I recorded the last one I assembled and put it on Youtube.
I had problems with finding a good spot for the camera, but then I realized I had tons of contraptor nearby :)
So I made this camera stand wich worked perfectly :
On this first day I assembled all components for which a detailed step by step instruction is available on the Wiki, namely :
The assembly of the components was very easy, very fun, and took less long than I expected.
The only difficulty was with the Coupling nut clamp, the notches were not deep enough so I had to make them deeper, did not have the right tools, cut myself, but now it all fits good.
Here are the videos for each of the 7 different component types :
Pictures of the finished components :
Linear rails :Linear bearings :
Captive nut, Belt clamp, Shaft mount :
Sliding elements :
Day 2
So now I'm in no-documentation territory, the real fun begins.
Well that's not completely true, there are lots of good pictures of the different steps, that should count as documentation.
Today I assembled/filmed the assembly of the base, the y-axis rail, and the x-axis rail and wagon.
Nothing much to be noted, except that you really really want to follow the instructions right.
On day one for the linear bearing elements, I did not follow the part where you have to exactly ajust to 1/8", and today it caused me a lot of trouble when making the x-axis.
Assembly of the y-axis rail :
Assembly of the base subassembly, made 3 videos, one for the back, one for the front, and one for joining them.
The x axis rail :
The x axis stage :
Now pictures of each finished subassembly :
Y-axis rail subassembly :Base subassembly :
X-axis rail and stage subassembly :
Day 3.
Bad surprise today, flickr does not want more pictures, have to wait until next month … so no pictures.
Everytime I post a video, Albanetc checks it and give me tons of precisions and cool advices, it helps a lot. I try getting the more of that as I can into the video annotations. OSH things rock !
So today I attached the Y-axis to the base, and made the Z-axis.
Just following the pictures, simple, a few things to figure out, but nothing hard.
Here are the videos :
Y-axis to base subassembly :
Z-axis, 4 parts :
Will make more when have time.
Thanks for reading.
TODO: Make video to explain the 1/8" thing with the linear bearings
TODO: Add youtube's subtitle thing to the video where it can help understand