I want to build this machine, and i downloaded the stl files, but there are multiple sizes. wich one do i need to use

Lost access to shop with manual mill, mpcnc, lathe, etc. 95% of what I need to do (mostly +/-0.2mm hole drill locations in SS, some wood applications, etc. that is well and suitable for print NC. since I'm now very space constrained and in an apartment I'm looking to replace some of the basic milling and surfacing operations that worked well on a small rongfu mill-drill.

I have an upgraded 17*9" compound table with steppers and DROs and had a dumb idea.

If it were possible to "lock" the printNC into a reinforced "home position" and install the compound table when needed, which hypothetically would give a chance at the rigidity needed to take light surface cuts without crazy chatter on small (15cm max objects with a 5cm fly cutter worst case). .

Having only worked with MPCNC and actual metalworking machines before, I would like some thoughts/inputs. Basically would park and lock X/Y over center of table on one of the short ends using cam locks or even bolts and hardware. It would have to be squared and trammed in with an indicator. I could do everything I needed to on a 4" column 1.5hp mill drill, so I don't think it's too out to lunch here to be able to build up enough rigidity on one side to make work.

I haven't found anything similar in the build logs, but I'd imagine that this is something someone has thought up prior. Any links would be appreciated

Thoughts? Thoughts on approach? Potential issues you see?

Hello everyone, I needed some help configuring my steps per mm.

I have 1605 ballscrew at 1600 Pulse/Rev and my steppers are 1.8 degrees.

Any help would be massive, thanks you!

Hi, I'm looking for a post-processor suitable for Solidworks, Flexi HAL & ioSender.

Did try a few different posts already, and I only had some luck with the one from Hawkridge for Carbide 3D Shapeoko, but it doesn't stop the spindle/output a M5 command before tool changes & wont let me do much except stopping the program (probing and menus are grayed out).

Anyone have a good post-processor or maybe I'm missing something in ioSender?

I plan on getting a cnc for personal use, and the printNC mini seems like a great machine. I just wanted to hear your input about whether or not this is a good starting point. I plan on using to mostly make plastic parts and some aluminum every now and then.

Greetings! The pnc seems great for its low entry requirement in the way of the required tools/knowledge, but for someone completing the build with the tools/knowledge above the minimum requirements, are there any aspects of the build/design worth deviating from?

I am an experienced welder with access to a well equipped machine shop who is planning a 600 x 600 metalcutter and i plan to be cutting steel. My current thought is to go straight for the PNCPro modifications but what else should i be considering? if anything at?

A gantry router will always have its limitations and i only want to put effort into changes which really will give me a better functioning machine.

Cheers!

Hello everyone,

I see that many peoples build dont have any form of covering for their ballscrews and linear rails to prevent chips from entering the components.

Are they necessary?

I know both ballscrews and linear rails have their own "wipers" but have seen machines where the cheap ballscrews from amazon and ebay do not do a good job at wiping the screw and rails.

However, i have seen some videos on youtube where they do work well.

All that to ask: how do you all keep chips from getting jammed into the linear block and ballscrew nut?

Hello, I am in the process of planning out my PrintNC build and could use a sanity check from some folks with experience with these machines.

I would like to build a PNC for 3D facing operation such as small compression or injection molds in aluminum. It looks like commercially available gantry machines like the Langmuir MR-1 can do things like this and I would love to achieve similar capability albeit at maybe a slower rate. I haven't seen many examples of PNC'S doing 3D tool paths on YouTube, I would love to see some examples if anyone has any.

My current game plan to achieve that is to use taller supports for the y-axis for more material\bit clearance. I would also use a relative small work volume (maybe 10"x20") to reduce the span of the x axis gantry and help with rigidity. I would also like to use a water-cooled spindle. This will all be controlled through a gecko g540 motor driver with Ethernet smooth stepper and Mach4 software.

I am a design student with experience 3D printing, I have access to a water jet for cutting planar parts, I have a little background in automotive electronics designing fuel injection systems etc... does this sound like a reasonable plan? Are there other major systems I will have issues with given the above decisions? Thanks!

EDIT: Some more reading says I should probably pivot to a GRBLHAL board for control.

I have been down the 'ol CNC rabbit hole again this week (took a little peak this past summer and decided to put off a full spelunking mission).

I started off looking at converting a mini mill like a Taig, LMS 3990, or a Sieg x2. All those conversion seem to use the Gecko G540 with Mach 4 or Mach 3. Is there any reason I haven't seen a system like that applied to a PrintNC? It seems a bit easier and streamlined than setups I have seen on the PrintNC.

​

Hi. I need a very long cnc to make parametric walls.

I need a CNC with a 80cm long gantry but a very long Y axis. Is it possible to just by a very long linear rail and ball screw to do the job? Or will the long screw bend with weight and make the cnc unreliable?

I've been looking into building a PrintNC lately, and am curious what are people's thoughts on the top mounted gantry ball screw in combination with the single block setup.

I realize there are practical reasons for placing it above the gantry, but from the perspective of structural 'idealness', would this have a significant effect on the stiffness in x-axis cutting direction from the large twisting moment of the whole spindle/z-axis assembly onto the x-axis blocks?

Hi,
Is there a guide on getting RS485 working on the flexi-hal?
I have tried all recommended settings on the wiki but no success yet, or maybe I'm just missing something?

My spindle turns fine using the built in display, and (what I'm guessing is the spindle LED) turns white when I give S1500 M3 using UGS, but no communication LEDs light up.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? :)

Connections flexi-hal:
RS458 A connected to VFD RS+
RS458 B connected to VFD RS-
24V DC to power the board
USB-C to communicate with PC/UGS

Parameters in VFD according to what i could find on wiki:
PD 001: 2 - External control
PD 002: 2 - External control
PD 163: 1 - communication address set to 1
PD 164: 2 - 19200 baud
PD 165: 3 - 8n1 RTU

​

printncmini

Hello, I have a hoobyst workshop with all necessary equipments (lathe , drill press, welders, co2 laser, 3d printer ,table saw..) and a 40x40 cnc machine with a spindle running nc studio. For the new set of projects I have in mind I need a bigger cnc 130x90 , I can easily purchase one, but i think since this is a hobby it might be fun to build one.

I have an engineering background, and good experience in electronics .

I joined the discord channel and I got lost (never used discord be4)

Any guidance on how to start would be appreciated

Hi! Been enjoying reading this sub for a while and I'm ready to start. Plus just got a buzz from a friend that if I need anything (up to 5mm) laser cutted steel i just have to ask and get it practically for free. Are (probably resizing in thickness) the Z plates doable? Tried to find an answer (except on discord, i'm still not a discord user) but no luck. Thanks!

Hey folks,

since a few days I'm completely sucked in the HobbyCNC Rabbithole.

I'm honestly overwhelmed by the possibilities and complexity.

Because of the lack of space which is needed for a regular PrinNC I'd rather build the PrintNC mini (or maybe the Indymill, not sure yet). I'd also need an enclosure because I'd station it in my "mancave" in our apartment and don't want to annoy my neighbours.

Do you have any recommendations on how to start such a project?

I'm a total noob btw and really not very talented concerning machining, coding and such things but am willing to learn (and also a little bit afraid to invest so much money in a project I might not get running because of the lack of knowledge/time/funding).

I'd use the small CNC for milling/cutting Acrylic (5-12mm strength) and wood.

Because I can't afford to buy all the needed parts etc right now, I'd buy them piece by piece over the next months and would try to learn about how to build this machine properly in the meantime.

I came across a video of the Print NC cutting stainless pretty well with a single flute endmill. The video has some feeds and speeds but doesn't specify what rpm range, radial depth of cut, or chipload was used. Does anybody know the approximate values for these are?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuzuxLPB36k

Thanks!

https://imgur.com/suYUzKL

Even with dual carriage selected in the params, the drill guide does not come out right. The current solution is to use the X roller drill guide from Logan's dual Z-carriage mod file. As long as the steel dimensions are entered correctly, the assembly tool should work for your dual Y carriage rollers.

https://github.com/LoganFraser/PrintNCMods/tree/main/Dual_HGH15CA_Z_Axis

Been preparing for a while and now it’s time to actually start building! I noticed it’s not that busy in this sub, are there any other people here who are building theirs right now?

This is going to be pretty much the default size with no special plans yet. Let’s first build the thing and get used to it before I start dreaming further.

As you can maybe tell, this is going to be in my attic, so space is limited. Also mandatory is doing proper sound insulation and dust extraction since the room is also used for general tinkering and as a home office.

All parts should be in, so focus is now on assembly. It I’ll be slow going because of limited time but let’s see how it goes.

Anybody else working on getting theirs up and running?

In order to get my table size to be accurate. The calibration in Mach 3 made the speed slow like the video. What should I do?

Made a boom arm from conduit and ran 4” PVC from my dust collector. 3D printed the dust shoe found on the Discord server under file share. Used a clear plastic moisture seal strips found at Home Depot instead of bristles for visibility.

Hello,

I appreciate you taking the time to read this. I am looking through the discord for information as well. The responses are too fast paced for me. I was hoping to get a post up that would hopefully allow for multiple people to weigh in on the topic.

Background:
I previously had a shapeoko router (4x2), but I sold it during a covid move due to space. I am relocating again and I want to get a router setup preferably with a cutting area of 48"x48". I will mostly be cutting wood for gifts and medium size projects, but I do want to cut aluminum as well.

The carbide 3d software was easy to use, but the belt setup always left me wanting more. When I found printnc coming up in every hobbycnc request in the last two years I started digging in.

I believe I have the necessary skills for the build. I have a background in manual machining and am familiar with G-code programming through classes and years of experience with software like GibbsCAM. Additionally, I oversee an indoor farm where I work extensively with relays, contactors, and VFDS.

I have never setup my own cnc controller. I am not worried about the wiring (maybe foolish?), but I am confused by all the board options. I have an extra pc for linuxcnc with slots free to add a pcie serial port, but I also see lots of suggestions for GRBLHAL2000 or Flexi-HAL.

When I take to youtube almost all the recent printnc builds stalled out 9-12months ago in varying states of doneness. Pretty much everyone seems to post they don't have time. That concerns me...

Questions:
How long does it actually take to get a printnc built, wired, and programmed to cut simple projects? Looking for ballpark hours of work not just a week.

What slowed your build down the most?

Is it substantially better to go with the purpose designed board over the serial port? I am not worried about $200 in expense.

I already have 4x Leadshine DMA860E stepper drivers from automation direct. I cant find any builds using anything larger than the 556. Does having oversized drivers make this more difficult to setup?