The whiteAnt will work with a 6 amp 12 volt power supply. If you add more peripherals to the machine, like heating bed, you will want higher current. Each motor draws 3.0 amps at full torque. Most of the time, only the x and y axes are moving at the same time, and the drivers are only allowing a max of 2.5 amps and they should be set for about 2.0 amps so they don't overheat (they have overheat protection and the LED will light up, so you will be fine if it does overheat, but your model may suffer). The remaining current will be enough to keep the hot end heated.

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What power supply would be adequate for the whiteAnt 3D printer?

The first step would be to reinstall the required files. You can find detailed instructions for the software/firmware installation process here. https://www.buildyourcnc.com/whiteAnt3DPrinterandCNCMachine.aspx

If that doesn't work, you should send an email to techsupport@buildyourcnc.com giving your purchase information and the system you are running so we can provide more detailed support.

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The firmware for the whiteant I bought from you is not responding. How can I reload? Which firmware should I reload?

Converting a 3D file to be used with a CNC machine will depend on the capability of the software you are using for developing machine operations (CAM software). For instance, if you use CAMBAM and the operation will consider a typical 3 axis CNC machine without a 4th axis, you would simply load the 3D file (.3ds or .stl) and apply a 3D profile machining operation on the 3D object. No conversion is necessary.

Check the capabilities of the CAM software you are using. You may just be able to load up the 3D file and start using it.

If you don't have your 3D file in the specified format (i.e. .3ds or .stl) then you will need to find a converter to convert the file into the file format that is compatible with your CAM software which should be relatively easy to find on the internet for free.

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Can you convert a 3D print file to a file that can be ran on my cnc rounter and how would it have to be converted ?

Sure, the USB interface has a place for 4 axes of limit switches.

Each axis can have two limit switches: one for the ++ (positive) end and one for the -- (negative) end. The positive end would be the limit switch at the end of the machine that, say the machine has a 4'x8' area, reaches a bit after the 8 foot mark. The negative end would be the limit switch behind the 0 foot location behind the origin. If the origin is in the middle, the negative would be at a little more than the -4 foot end and the positive would be at a bit more than the +4 foot end. Note that you can have more than one switch on each pin where the NC is connected in serial fashion and the NO is connected in parallel fashion (this can be seen on the diagram in the multiple limits switch section). The software configurations for the limits switches are under File -> Settings -> Limit.

A typical limit switch has three connections on it. These connections consist of COM (common), NC (normally closed) and NO (normally open). The COM would generally go to GND and the NC or the NO would go to the pin. If the NC is used, then the the switch is constantly connected until the switch is pushed (engaged) then the connection from the pin to gnd is broken (open). Use the settings in software to set whether in NC or NO configuration.

Let me know if this information was helpful (or not) by adding information to this question. Thanks.

User response:
Thank you very much for this helpful information. I'm still a little fuzzy on how the 6 limit switches physically connect to each other and to the USB breakout board. You've stated one switch (home) goes to positive and another switch (limit) goes to negative. Are all the GND prongs from all 6 switches connected to each other and going to GND on the breakout board, or no? And the NC prongs, how exactly are they connected to each other? And to the board? There has to be a diagram somewhere shows this visually, no? I don't know how to wire the switches in series or in parallel. I have already physically installed all the switches on the machine and ran the wires to where the board is. Now I just need to know where to plug these wires into the board. Also, taking into consideration that I'm using the Planet CNC software, the only settings I have pertaining to limit switches is "Enable/Disable" for each axis, and the actual limit for each axis. Nothing about NC or NO. Is that only in Mach3?
Thank you.

buildyourcnc response:
On the USB interface, the COM on the switch connects to GND and the NC or NO connects to the input pin (i.e. x++, y--, etc.)

Limit switch configuration is rather difficult to understand, especially with series and parallel. You can think of series as a single wire going from GND to the axis letter input terminal (i.e. X++ or X--). If the wire is broken, then the circuit is open (or the switch is engaged in a normally closed scenario). Normally closed is like an actual wire, and when engaged, the switch "opens" (breaks the wire). This is why we recommend in some systems that you can put many switches in series on a single pin. When one of the switches is engaged (breaking the connection) then the entire circuit of switches is broken and the machine stops.

In a parallel scenario, the state of the circuit is always broken until the one of the switches is engaged and the circuit is then closed or connected. The topology looks like a ladder. All the switches connect to both sides of the ladder and the switches are like the runs of the ladder (the horizontal bars that the feet are placed while climbing). Imagine all of the switches broken in this scenario (normally open). It would be like the ladder could be split in two, but if one of the ladder runs (switches) is closed by engaging it, then that run would connect both sides of the ladder and the two sides of the ladder would have a connection.

There is a diagram on the USB page of the various limit switch configurations. If you need more information (visual and/or otherwise), please let us know and we will immediately add that information to benefit everyone.

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How can I convert from Xylotex to yours, four axis with limit switches. Have parallel PC and steppers on machine.

Mounting the extruder to the whiteAnt can be done a couple of ways. One is to take the 4 mounting holes located at the lower portion of the z-axis rail support and use long screws protruding out. Take a thinner material and drill the four holes matching the locations of the 4 screws and screw on nuts to hold it in place. The other option would be to use the metal bracket and fasten to the edge of the rail support.

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HOW CAN MOUNT THE EXTRUDER TO WHITEANT

What 3d printer do you have?

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whiteant

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HAVE 3D PRINTER THAT WANT TO MAKE CNC ROUTER ,IS THERE ANY GUIDES SHOW ME THE WAY

There may be many ways to do this. My recommendation would be is to add an encoder to the shaft of the existing motor and connect that to a servo controller so you have closed loop control. This way, you have the torque from the pulleys in the top of the drill press.

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how can I convert my orinary drill press to a servo drill press?

It is best to use a subtractive fabrication method, or a chemical method to product pcbs. The subtractive method generally requires the use of a CNC router with a pcb isolation routing end mill that generally has a very sharp point to remove the copper material. The chemically etching method is where an acid is used (ferric chloride, or another acid) to dissolve copper where needed.

If there is a method where a highly conductive material, mixed with a plastic that maintains a conductive property after the mix, and can use the standard deposition extruder, then the whiteAnt will be able to make PCBs.

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Hi, wanted to know if the whiteAnt can produce PCBs? If so, wich is the precision?

Connecting a heater bed to the whiteAnt is currently unavailable with our current version electronics, as we have tried to get around that issue here! We do not have the available slot for another thermocouple, so reading the temperature will not be possible for the heater bed. Also doubling the heater bed and extruder is not recommended, in which our current electronics will not be able to work with the additional heater bed.

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How do I connect a heated bed to the whiteant

This will depend on the 3D printer that you are using and the mechanics involved. Specifically regarding the motor drivers, software is really what determines the speed of the motor. If the computer is not able to product the high number of pulses that is required for faster motion, then you can reduce the microstepping and configure the software appropriately for the new microstepping so the resolution is corrected (steps/inch or steps/mm).

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3d printer motors not moving fast enough. How should I configure the motor drivers?

We can supply all of the laser components, but you will need to determine how to mount the components.

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Alternatively, you can purchase our greenBull machine that has the laser/spindle combo head. You can see the laser/spindle head here: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-laser-spindle-combo-head

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Can you supply a "KIT" to convert my 4060Z CNC to a Laser Cutter? What is the difference capabilities between the 40Watt and 80Watt?

We can supply all of the laser components, but you will need to determine how to mount the components.

Additional Information:
Alternatively, you can purchase our greenBull machine that has the laser/spindle combo head. You can see the laser/spindle head here: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-laser-spindle-combo-head

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Can you supply a "KIT" to convert my 4060Z CNC to a Laser Cutter? What is the difference capabilities between the 40Watt and 80Watt?

Mounting the extruder to the whiteAnt can be done a couple of ways. One is to take the 4 mounting holes located at the lower portion of the z-axis rail support and use long screws protruding out. Take a thinner material and drill the four holes matching the locations of the 4 screws and screw on nuts to hold it in place. The other option would be to use the metal bracket and fasten to the edge of the rail support.

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CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME HELP OR POINT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO INCORPORATE MK 7 EXTRUDER WITH BOOK PLANS FOR 3D PRINTER?

You can modify our machines to have a camera to view your process and pick up registrations.
Here you can see a one of our customers adding a webcam to his machine! (https://www.buildyourcnc.com/tutorials/Example-customer-blacktoe-clintW)

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Would your CNC machines be able to have an optic camera to pick up registrations marks from a printer?

If you would like to use a spindle rather than a router on your existing CNC, we will send you another set of components that will allow the spindle to be mounted properly which includes the z-axis rails, rail support, spindle mounts and the dust shoe components. You can find this item to purchase here: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/category/z-axis

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I HAVE BLACKTOE 4.1 WITH PORTER CABLE 890 ROUTER.TO CONVERT TO SPINDLE(2.2KW) CAN JUST CHANGE THE MOUNT?

If you would like to use a spindle rather than a router on your existing CNC, we will send you another set of components that will allow the spindle to be mounted properly which includes the z-axis rails, rail support, spindle mounts and the dust shoe components. You can find this item to purchase here: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/category/z-axis

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I have blacktoe 4.1 with porter cable 890 router.To convert to spindle(2.2kw) can I just change the mount?

Which machine are you referring to?

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How deep is the bed? As in, how far can I get the head from the base?

1 RPM = 1/60 Hz
1 RPM = 0.01666666 Hz.

So, say you wanted to know the Hz for 12,000 RPM

(12,000 Revolutions / Minute) / 60 = 200 Hz
or
12,000 RPM x 0.016666 = 200 Hz

If you needed to determine the RPM from the Hz, then

RPM = Hz x 60

So, say you wanted to know what RPM is for 400 Hz:

60 x 400 Hz = 24,000

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How can I convert RPM to hertz Hz?

When trying to use two motors on a single axis, there is a multitude of methods to get them to work together.
First: There should always be a slave option in the CNC control software(mach 3/ planet-cnc/emc2/etc.), this will be the easiest way to make the dual motor configuration work. However some adjusting might be necessary due to the orientation of the motor when mounting it on the opposite side of the CNC machine.(Mach3/config/slaveaxis, planet-cnc/file/settings/axes).

Secondly: Dealing with our interface boards(maybe third-party as well), you can have two drivers going to the same axis on the interface board. Which then will have one motor per driver, this will use the same motion and control from the (ex.) x-axis to driver two motors. However some adjusting might be necessary due to the orientation of the motor when mounting it on the opposite side of the CNC machine.

Adjusting of the driver or motor wires, can be done separate from the control software with the use of a hex inverter, that can be used and to switch the signal (ex. takes a low signal and brings it high, and takes a high signal and brings it low) of one of the motors, to run the same as the other motor.
There is also another method of inverting the orientation of the motors movement without the use of a hex inverter. This method you will have to wire the coil's of the motors oppositely of what is recommended for one of the motors. Example, you will wire our Nema 24 as follows(recommended): A+ - red/blue, A- - yellow/black, B+ - white/brown, B- - green/orange. However to run another motor with with it you will have to switch the A/B connections to: A+ - white/brown, A- - green/orange, B+ - red/blue, B- - yellow/black.

These method's are usually needed/used when trying to control two motors and setting it up without the help of the CNC control software, and also due to the mounting orientation of the second motor, the inverting the direction of motion will be necessary so they work together instead of working against each other.

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Additional Information:

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From the BOB how can I reverse one of my steppers - i'm running 2 on my Y Axis