If you purchased a 220 volt VFD (Variable Frequency Drive), you will need to use a 220 volt outlet. A VFD that has an input voltage rating of 220 volts will not work with 110 volts being applied to the VFD. We do sell 110 volt VFDs but you will also need a spindle that pairs with the 110 volt VFD.

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Good morning, we purchased the vfd with 220v but here in south america the standard is 110v, will it work? or should I adapt one power outlet to 220v

First, see Jack's build: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/JackRehak.aspx

The difference between mounting the electronics in the gantry is that the connection from the computer (signal level) is long. The alternative, where the electronics is near the computer, the motor cables are long (to reach from the drivers to the motors).

Mounting the breakout board, drivers and power supply within the gantry will cause you to have a long signal connection from the computer to the breakout board. That is fine as long as the cable is long enough, possibly shielded, and can carry the signal at long cable lengths. Make sure to have the cable well away from the motor cables as these will cause quite a bit of interference.

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Provided they will fit and I install a ventilation/cooling fan, is there any reason why I should NOT mount the electronics (breakout board, stepper drivers and power supply) inside the gantry box in my BlackToe 2x4?

Thank you for your inquiry about the risk to your embryo by using a cellular phone during pregnancy. Sometimes it is not made clear to the public that there are different kinds of radiation. The electrical fields from a cellular phone are nothing like x ray. The energy is so low in the electrical waves of cellular phones that it does not represent a risk to the developing embryo. If you use the cellular phone conventionally by placing it to your ear, you further reduce the exposure to the embryo, which is already extremely low because of the distance of the phone from your ear to your uterus. There are no studies dealing with the risks of cellular phones on the outcome of pregnancy in humans, but numerous animal studies indicate that the exposures from the phones do not represent a risk for birth defects or miscarriage. Of course you must realize that every healthy pregnant woman begins her pregnancy with a 3% risk for birth defects and a 15% risk for miscarriage. Good luck with your pregnancy.

Robert Brent MD, PhD, DSc(Hon)

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WILL IT BE HARMFUL TO USE MY MOBILE PHONE DURING PREGNANCY? IF HARMFUL, SHOULD I DISCONTINUE USING OR MODERATELY?

Well, I've never tried particle board. I would stay away from MDF since it is pretty terrible to breathe. You can use standard ply.

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CAN JUST USE PARTICLE BOAD FOR THE SPOIL BOARD OR SHOULD MDX SOMETHING ELSE?

If your axis shutters and will not move unless moved by another force, that sounds like your acceleration is set too high. Lower the acceleration until it works well, then lower it a bit more to have a margin of safety.

Users response:
I've lowered my acceleration to 1 in the StepCon program and it still shutters when I jog it, anything else I could check?

Buildyourcnc response:
IF that didn't work, try swapping the X and Y drivers. That way you will pinpoint if the issue is the driver. If the proplem persists, then there may be an issue with the motor itself.

Buildyourcnc response:
The X and Y drivers can be easily swapped by swapping only the motor wires.

- Remove the x-axis motor wires from the X driver.
- Remove the Y motor wires from the Y driver.
- Insert the X motor wires into the Y driver.
- Insert the Y motor wires into the X driver.

Buildyourcnc response:
Now the Y-axis will move the gantry. Test the Gantry movement by moving the Y axis using the up and down arrow keys (mach3).

Users response:
Problem is now solved, I switched the X and Y at the redFly and got the same problem, so then I undid the wires going to each motor and switched them there and it I had a bad solder point in the X axis connector, thank you for the help

Buildyourcnc response:
You're very welcome. We will make sure to thoroughly check the solder points on the cable connectors prior to a redFly delivery.

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X axis won't move on 5x10 GreenBull, it just shutters unless I manually with my hand give it a push then it will jog. What should I check?

Which linear slide bearings are you referring?

The ones that come in the pack of 24 or 30

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Are the linear slide bearings good quality? Should I expect all 30 to be equal in quality and use them to produce a very accurate CNC machine?

The motors could be wired incorrectly causing them to lock up. Make sure to check the wiring to make sure the X and Y are connected to the correct terminals.

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When Blacktooth is powered on the motors get power but will not turn. What should I do?

Yes, that is highly recommended for all the reasons you can imagine. Say you were doing engraving, not surfacing the spoilboard will either exhibit some areas that have no engraving at all, or areas that have engraving that is too deep. If you are cutting completely through the material, then one end may be cut all the way through but the other end will not have a complete cut, or produce onion skinning on the bottom of the workpiece.

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DO NEED TO GET THE BIG PLANING BIT OR SURFACING AND GO OVER SPOIL BOARD MAKE SURE THAT IT IS PERFECTLY LEVEL IN RELATION ROUTER?

No, at this time, we do not offer any .dxf or any other type of file to cut the pieces for the DIY Combo #1. Just the directions that you are already able to access with the dimensions in them.

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Are there .dxf files or other files for the MDF parts in Combo #1 so that they may be cut using a CNC?

It seems to be getting some kind of interference or a short within the wiring or communication, try jogging the motors in the software without anything wired to the board. Then add one motor at a time to see if there is a short within your wiring or a faulty driver/motor.
If the USB breakout board continues to move the x-axis with no motors or driver wired to it, please email customerservice@buildyourcnc.com for a replacement or further troubleshooting.

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For tuning the motors in mach 3 should I be running a gcode or is keyboard jogging enough to determine the stall rates

Keyboard jogging will give you a good start at motor tuning since going from a stop to rapid travel speed is the quickest the machine will be required to accelerate. However, best practice is to also run test files and actually cut the type of materials you expect to deal with to test machine performance under load and make any fine adjustments needed for maximum performance.

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For tuning the motors in mach 3 should I be running a gcode or is keyboard jogging enough to determine the stall rates

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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I am in Houston. I will use this to make cabinets. Do you have a location I could see one in use cutting similar products?

I would recommend using 14/3 power cable for the connection from the wall outlet to the VFD. The 14 is the gauge and the 3 is the number of conductors (wires) in the cable.

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What type of cable and gauge should I use from the vfd to the wall outlet?

The inputs on the Mach3 USB board require that you complete the circuit with the V-, so that means that the inputs will fire on a high signal, hence the "Active High". That is simply how the Mach3 USB board is designed. The inputs, output and spindle connections on that side of the board require the V+ and V- to be connected to a 24V supply (most spindle VFDs have an available 24V output terminal for this use).

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Touch plate signal works and script is loaded but no touch plate function

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Mach3 USB Interface Board, My switch inputs are def wired active-LOW but I need to set them as active-HI (red x) in ports & pins to make them work correctly, why would this be?

There is no current solution to bond the ends of a timing belt as this would cause a weak link in the belt. If you know that the part of the belt that is held together will not be pass around the pulley, then you can mechanically bond this part of the belt. Otherwise, it would be best to design the axis of your machine's mechanical system so that the timing belt is pinned at both ends.

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I would like to make my own custom length XL belt and would like to know what to use to join ends?

It will depend on how you configure the machine to use the Laser and plasma. Is the laser on a separate gantry? That will determine the way you will connect the laser control system or if you use a typical CNC controller. The plasma will need inputs of THC on, THC up, THC down and outputs to trigger the plasma torch. I recommend the Pokeys57CNC for the plasma and you can also fire the laser with it, but you will not be able to do engraving with the laser unless you use a laser controller. If you use a laser controller, you will need to either build circuitry to switch the digital signals from which controller you will be using, or if you have the laser on a separate gantry, you can use a traditional laser controller connected to the stepper motor drivers on that gantry.

Users response:
I was planing on using same gantry, and installing plasma and laser module on z axis along the side with current router. Perhaps if it’s needed installing another z axis on current z axis. So that when I use plasma, router z will be homed and plasma z axis will be able to utilize thc.

When you say “If you use a laser controller, you will need to either build circuitry to switch the digital signals from which controller you will be using,”
If i install laser controller, pokeys and router motion card, do you mean all ( axis and router/laser/plasma) signals or just the one that controls router/laser/plasma?
I was wondering if I could jump (parallel connect) axis signals from card to card without ?
Also do you prefer ethernet card or usb?
I really do appreciate your help :) thanx again.

Buildyourcnc response:
Not a problem at all.

Remember that with all of that weight on the z-axis, you will not be able to do efficient raster style engraving.

By putting the laser on another gantry, say at the far end of the table, then you would be able to use a laser controller that controls its own stepper motors and the nozzle can have fast swing motion for engraving. With the laser on the z-axis of the spindle (like see on the greenBull), you will only be able to do vector motions for the laser.

You can also have a CNC interface and laser controller controlling the same stepper motor drivers, but you will need a few tri-state buffer chips where you can use a toggle switch for which controller has control of the drivers.

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How should I control a plasma torch, spindle and a laser on my CNC machine?

Measure the frame of the motors and the length of the motor. This should give a good idea on the type of motor and the torque. If you know the torque, please provide this information as well.

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Which 3 axis combo pack should I order to replace my millstar3 motors on my full size knee mill

Do you use the same bit?? If so, check if it is not dull or worn. Maybe it is time for a new bit. Additionally, I would check if the z axis mounts are tightened correctly and the router has no wiggle room. If that doesn't help, check all of the play that may be in the structure and where the bearings run along the rails and tighten all loose connections that may be present.

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So confused....is backlash and chatter the same thing or are they completely unrelated?

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Chatter and backlash are different. Backlash is a condition where there is play in the mechanical parts (i.e. a nut not tight against the treads, or two gears not meshing together tightly). Chatter is a phenomenon caused by many possible conditions including vibration, resonance, springiness and flexibility in the system and certain types of end kill and machine movement scenarios.

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Meant to say end “mill” at the end there.

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when cutting patterns with my cnc router there is significant chatter in the cut-I've replaced the router-what else should I try?

If you have received a part that does not work as advertised, or does not function properly, we will ship you a replacement. Please contact customerservice@buildyourcnc.com to make these arrangements.

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I would like to re-order another breakout board, but I would like each output tested beofore shipping. I have recieved a breakout board where the mist coolant doesnt work, and the y-axis sends a 1.5vdc signal voltage. They should all be 5v as you know, or the driver will not read.