[Lab] Marauder project (around 400 bucks and counting)

Mon Jun 6 18:31:08 EDT 2011

Hi Darcy

What advantages do you suggest the Marauder project will have compared to an
existing kit like http://www.mydiycnc.com/complete_kit ?

I was one of the original backers for this kickstarter project and while I
don't have my unit yet, it's apparently close to shipping.  I can't comment
on it's success until I have it built but it's definitely comparable to what
you're suggesting designing.

Cheers,
Tom

On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 6:24 PM, John Nicol <john_nicol at hotmail.com> wrote:

> The seller was chengfang1234.  Yep opened up a problem report, no answer.
> Next step is dispute.  They also sold me a second-hand motor and said it was
> new.
>
>
>
> I paid $129.99, which included the stepper motors.
>
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> *From:* darcy.whyte at gmail.com [mailto:darcy.whyte at gmail.com] *On Behalf Of
> *Darcy Whyte
> *Sent:* June-06-11 6:12 PM
>
> *To:* John Nicol
> *Cc:* lab at artengine.ca
> *Subject:* Re: Marauder project (around 400 bucks and counting)
>
>
>
> I put power on it and it works fine. I'm running it at 24v. I guess we'll
> find out how long it runs for and how well it runs under load.
>
>
>
> If you bought it in ebay, you probably could have opened a problem report
> in ebay and they may respond to that. I think you can make a dispute in ebay
> too.
>
>
>
> You mean yours isn't working? What seller did you get it from?
>
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> On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 6:01 PM, John Nicol <john_nicol at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Darcy,
>
>
>
> The CNCZone forum listed is specifically that board you have in the photo,
> not Chinese CNC controllers in general.  It applies to the three and four
> axis controllers based on the TB6560.   I have the same three axis one that
> you show in the photo purchased of eBay about two months ago.  I am honestly
> surprised that it works for you, the design means that the motors share a
> ground with your LPT port, so there is no isolation between your PC and the
> motors, but as long as the voltages are kept low you shouldn’t blow the PC
> up.  That is an option though.  Never run it over ~34 V or you *will* blow
> the stepper drivers and risk the LPT port.  The opto-isolators are also
> wired wrong in this design and there is significant noise on the stepper
> driver IC clock that means a loss of steps for most people.   I run it at
> 24V.
>
>
>
> I have analysed the design as well (being an electronics tech in a previous
> life) and can say that I would not recommend that design.  I also tried to
> contact the company I bought it off eBay from and they have yet to respond.
> There are a few companies in Hong Kong and China that seem to deal in these
> boards.  The fixes that are listed in the CNCZone forum will work up to a
> point and a few have reported good progress.  I have found that I am losing
> too many steps and lots of hair to continue with that board.   I might try
> one more suggested fix, which is to bypass the opto-isolator on the clock
> and go straight from the LPT pin to try to get a clean signal.
>
>
>
> I have seen some newer boards out on eBay that might address these issues,
> so looking forward to some reviews on CNCZone before jumping that way
> again.  Probably just go with HobbyCNC for now.
>
>
>
> The big caveat with the above is that if it works for you, then it works
> and that is a good thing.
>
>
>
> I am just missing electrical, everything else is done and now shopping
> around for alternate controllers.
>
>
>
> John
>
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> *From:* darcy.whyte at gmail.com [mailto:darcy.whyte at gmail.com] *On Behalf Of
> *Darcy Whyte
> *Sent:* June-06-11 5:11 PM
> *To:* John Nicol
> *Cc:* lab at artengine.ca
> *Subject:* Marauder project (around 400 bucks and counting)
>
>
>
>
> The cnc controllers work great and the price is right. I doubt the issue
> people spoke about on cnczone is about all chinese cnc controllers. There
> will have been an incident or incidents with a specific one. I had problems
> the the cnc controllr on a mill I bought in china but they replaced the
> electronics. But that's a different piece of hardware.
>
>
>
> Eventually there will be a bill of materials with lots of different
> options. People can spend as much as they want on controllers.
>
>
>
> What are you missing for your CNC project? Just electrical?
>
>
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>
> On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 5:02 PM, John Nicol <john_nicol at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Today's Topics:
>
>   1. Marauder project (around 400 bucks and counting) (Darcy Whyte)
>
> =====
>
> Hi Darcy,
>
> Nice to meet your virtual acquaintance!  First time posting in the mailing
> list so hopefully I don't screw it up too badly.
>
> I went to your website briefly and saw the electronics proposed.  I would
> stay away from that particular Chinese design and manufacturer.  I
> purchased
> a 3-axis board + NEMA 17 motors off eBay and have had nothing but problems.
> There is even a forum discussion on CNCZone about these.  The design is
> flawed.
>
>
> http://www.cnczone.com/forums/general_electronics_discussion/110986-how_i_fi
> xed_my_chinese.html
>
> There are suggested fixes in the forum discussion and I have applied these
> (and learnt how to solder SMD at the same time, so it was worthwhile from
> that point of view), but although it improves the noise, it is missing
> steps
> all over the place.  A piece of crap.  I made the CNC described in
> Instructables here:
>
>
> http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Three-Axis-CNC-Machine-Cheaply
> -and-/
>
> I have a picture of what I have made and can email separately.  All up, I
> guess it cost me $600 so far.  It would work quite well I am guessing if I
> had a "real" controller board.  I am thinking of getting a kit from
> hobbyCNC
> and buying some 6 wire Nema motors from eBay to make it all work.
>  Currently
> I have a dremel, but will upgrade that to a trim router.
>
> Regards,
> John
>
>
>
>
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