Yes you can. We well the ArtCAM software and modules.

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I see Artcam modules on your site, can I still get them through you?

Yes, you can control the speed of the 2.2 kW spindle, and the other spindles we sell, through Mach3 software. It requires making some changes to the settings in Mach3 and in your inverter. It also requires an additional part, which is called a USB to Serial Converter, found on our site here:

https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/Interfaces-newbiehack-Interfaces-TTL232R-USB-UART-Serial

I have some additional instructions, that I will send upon request, by email. I will also be adding a complete tutorial and video, to the website, on how to do this soon.

Additional Information:
20

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can I control the speed of a 2.2 spindle through your 5 axis breakout board with relay?

The best way to determine how to control your VFD using Mach4 is to read the MAch4 manual found here:
http://www.machsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Mach4%20Installation%20Manual.pdf

You will find that there a a few ways to control the spindle/VFD on your CNC machine or CNC Router.
- The first and easiest is to have your VFD's power controlled by a relay. This will allow your spindle to have on/off control through Mach4 with an output pin.
- The second is to have a controller output a DAC voltage between 0-10 volts to control speed on the VFD/Spindle. There is a termial on the VFD to receive this signal line. The controller will also have an output that outputs a high or low and that can control the on/off on the VFD.
- The third, and more difficult of the three methods is to use a USB to Serial adapter (USB to USART or RS-485). The Computer plugs into the adapter using a USB cable and the adapter uses the RX/TX to connect to the VFD's terminals for communication. This will provide a great amount of control. Mach4 will need a plug-in to make this option work.

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Where can I find information on controlling my VFD through Mach4?

If you are interested in ordering through Amazon, it would be recommended that you read the blackToe page on our website to have a full understanding of all the options available. All of the options may not be available on Amazon, but we can tailor a package to fit your needs. Please email sales@buildyourcnc.com for more information.

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I see that your BlackToe CNC kit is available through Amazon. How do I select options if ordered through Amazon?

The (blackTooth) laser cutter and engraver comes with the unit shown on the product page seen here: https://buildyourcnc.com/blackToothLaserCutterAndEngraver.aspx

The unit is intended to be set on a table top.

The stand that you may have noticed was only a demonstration on how to use SketchUP in a CNC process scenario. The stand has never been offered with the blackTooth laser.

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I am interested in buying Laser Cutter/Engraver with Integrated Computer, so can you please let me know if your offer still stands?

We do not have designated pins for power on our BoB w/Relay, other than through the USB. We would not recommend removing the USB on our board since it may cause issues and irregularities within the board.

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Can I power the BOB w/Relay through appropriate pins and remove USB?

Dealing with orders a few years ago, we did supply the g-code files for the machines that were purchased. However we do not supply any files to recreate our machines at the current moment nor do we plan on giving them in the future.

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I built a machine using your original tutorial years ago. Do you still offer the code to run on this machine to make the 4x8 black toe?

Sure, come on by! You can come and see some of our machines in action; pose difficult questions and hopefully we can answer them; and even have some tests done with stuff you bring.

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Can I come to buildyourcnc and see your machines and products?

The USB interface that we sell only works with planet-cnc software. We will be developing our own USB board and plug-in that will work with Mach4 very soon.

Additional Information:
does the mach3 usb interface board work with mach4?

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Can I use your USB interface board and Mach4 on my 3 axis CNC router?

Planet-CNC is the control software. If you decide to use the USB controller, you will need to use the planet-CNC software as the control software. You will be able to use any of the CAM software applications with the planet-CNC control software.

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Can I use your USB interface board and Mach3 on my 3 axis CNC router?

The largest CNC machine we make at this time (12/04/2015) is the GreenBull 6'x12' model. This model has 2 options for Z-axis travel.

The short-z option has a total Z travel of 5.75 inches. From that you would subtract the length of the end mill used and the thickness of the spoil board to determine the maximum material thickness. (Example: If the end mill extends 1.25" from the collet and the spoil board is .75", then the material could be up to 5.75 - 1.25 - 0.75 = 3.75 inches in thickness). This is good for most sheet-type materials.

The long-z option, used mainly for large 3D carvings, requires a custom frame and allows for up to 36" of travel.

The tolerance of our machines, like any machine, depends on several variables. The major variables include the manufacturing tolerance, the type of machine control used, the precision of assembly, the thoroughness of maintenance, and the initial and ongoing calibration of the machine. Because we sell kits only most of these variables are outside our control. Therefore, we are hesitant to guarantee a certain level of tolerance for an end user. However, in our experience, tolerances of .001" are readily achievable with our machines.

Additional Information:

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What tolerance can I expect from your largest cnc machine and the laser cutter? Also, what depth can I get on the z axis?

Cooling is not as tricky as you might think. There is 3 ways to approach this, only 2 really matter for a low scale 40w setup. First one is the cheapest and easiest. The higher the temp of water the worse your performance will be, from what I understand anything in the 30C range is about the most tolerable it gets. Lower is better. But not frozen...from what I've been told a very experienced cutter, he found 8C was the highest power he achieved.

1. Use a 5 Gallon resovoir system which gives you a fairly large space of water to heat up before you need to tend to it. Add about a cup of anti-freeze to the mix of DISTILLED water. You don't want ANY minerals in the water that might build up in your system. The anti-freeze works to keep algae and other ickies from growing in your water.

2. Use a smaller resovoir system (or even closed loop) and install 1 or more radiators found in CPU cooling systems with 120mm fans attached. This will continously cool your water system to ambient room temperatures, but with a tiny resovoir it will be difficult to add things like ice-packs to drop the temps if the ambient is quite hot.

3. Using an industrial coolant system. Overkill and unless your cutting A LOT, this is a very expensive option to take. You can also explore the idea of Peltier cooling but it is extremely expensive electricity/BTU wise compared to an industrial cooler.

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BUT DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING ABOUT COOLING THE LASER OFF - IS YOUR SETUP LIKE MOST OTHERS NEED BUCKET OF DISTILLED WATER TO PUMP THROUGH MACHINE?

Tinnitus . Learn to love it. No really you should see a doctor. Make sure. White noise will help you sleep when it gets loud.

Additional Information:
I learned, too late, that if a sudden loud event causes tinnitus, see an audiologist IMMEDIATELY. They can do something about it if addressed within a day or so.

Wear hearing protection...always. Loud noises trigger my tinnitus, and headphones and ear plugs (when out & about or at the movies, subway, etc) help tremendously. Mine are rated 33dB.

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WHAT CAUSES RINGING IN YOUR EAR AND HOW CAN YOU STOP IT?

As long as the bearing has a minimum thickness of 1/4" and 9/32" is a bit thicker, there will be no problem with the book build using the bearing that is 1/32" thicker. There is actually more surface area which is better.

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in your book - Build you own CNC Machine. Can I use 9/32" thick bearing instead of 1/4" thick?

If you want to run a greenBull CNC machine using a generator, The generator will need to allow for a minimum amount of current draw. Here is a list of items that draw current and how much current (the list does not include the laser option):

Spindle: 10 amps minimum so plan for more.
The power supply for three motors and drivers: 9 amps
The computer to run the control software: varies but out redleaf system would be a max of 2 or so.

So you are looking at about 21 minimum so you will probably need a 25 amp generator.

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Can I run your greenBull CNC off of a generator? If so, what specs would you recommend? Thanks!

An end mill smaller than 1.5mm or 1/6" is too small a diameter for end mills to cut through materials that are thick. A good rule of thumb is if the end mill has a cutting length that is more than what you want to cut, that diameter will be acceptable.

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CAN .7MM END MILL BE USED TO CUT THROUGH 15MM MDF?

Which machine has the issue with the videos?

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I can't get any of the original build your cnc videos to load past step 5. Can anyone help please?

Rnrmotion.dll is a dynamic link library that is very similar in function to an executable program, or app. Since a dll is executable, malicious code can be embedded in that type of file, so windows will automatically flag all files of this type. You just need to make sure you are downloading from a trusted source. The emotion.dll file on our site is clean, but still, run windows defender against it to make sure.

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why do I get the message "RnRMotion.dill was blocked because this type of file can harm your device"?

The torque curve for the 651 oz-in stepping motor can be found here:

https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-nema34-651ozin#prettyPhoto

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Using your NEMA 24 stepping motor with microstepping, can I get a speed range from 3 RPM to 600 RPM ?