The machines have minimal to no backlash depending on how you apply the machine. Since the cnc machines use roller chain on the x and y axes, and the roller chain is tensioned, the backlash is nearly eliminated. I say nearly because the if you control the machine in a way that there will be excessive load on the end mill, then the machine could have a tendency to spring to one side or the other because of the length of tensioned roller chain. The movement is minor and can be eliminated with the proper control of the machine.

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I'M CURIOUS IF THESE SYSTEMS WILL ENGRAVE LETTERING ACCURATELY WITHOUT BACKLASH?

What electronics do you have at the moment? Depending on your machine, you will need a minimum of 3 stepper motors and 3 drivers (unless your heavy axis requires two stepper motors and two drivers). You will also need an interface board that is capable of providing three inputs for the THC (Torch Height Controller), THC on, THC up and THC down, and outputs for firing the torch. I would recommend the Pokeys57CNC interface for the primary interface. This interface will connect to the stepper motor drivers and the THC. The Pokeys57CNC can also communicate via USB or Ethernet.

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Looking for electronics for a plasmacam table. It's going to to be a 5'x10' table with x,y,z axis. Will be running on windows ten with a hypertherm powermax45 xp plasma cutter. Any information or links would be greatly appreciated!

Yes, with caveats. This kit includes a controller that will not be compatible, but if you use another type of controller that has web based control, you can use these electronics. Here is a list of web based control for CNC:

- Easel: The web-based software from Inventables can be accessed through Safari or other macOS-compatible web browsers.

- bCNC: A Python-based GRBL CNC command sender, although you may need to jump through some hoops to get it to run on macOS.

- Universal Gcode Sender: A Java-based software that should run on macOS if you have the Java Runtime Environment installed.

- CNCjs: Another web-based interface that you can run on macOS using Node.js.

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[50] Is there a software control package that will work with Axis Electronics Combo (For Heavy Gantry) for apple os.

no, it will only work on anodized aluminum

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WILL THE LASER ENGRAVER WORK ON NON-ANODIZED ALUMINUM

Yes, we sell collets for the porter cable 892

http://www.buildyourcnc.com/collets.aspx

http://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/router-colletnut-router-collet-nut
http://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/router-collet-er20-router-complete-collet-kit
http://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/router-collet-!5-er20-router-collet
http://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/router-collet-!25-er20-router-collet
http://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/router-collet-!125-er20-router-collet

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WE HAVE PORTER CABLE 892, WILL YOUR COLLETS FIT?

The available options for the blackFoot, is only structural components with hardware, and structure components/hardware with electronic components.
However we currently do not have any plans available for public use/distribution.

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Are plans available for the blackfoot cnc router table

Actual table dimension: 4'x8' is 56.078"x 121.50" (the overhang in the illustrations should be 3/4" thick)
To determine the frame dimensions, first consider using the frame height shown of almost 3' (2.86'). The width of the frame should be 4" narrower than the dimension from rail edge to rail edge (6X rail to rail is 80.078"). This will provide a 2" overhang on both sides (4X frame width should be 56.078").
The length of the frame should be 4" shorter than the desired length of the rails to provide a 2" overhang on both ends. The travel length will be 20" shorter than the rail length due to the space occupied by the gantry sides.
Two long pieces of 3/4" material will need to be placed on top of the frame with the 2" overhang on the sides and the end. These long strips of material will receive the rails and the chain mounts on the ends.


Link:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/Item/cnc-machine-greenBull-v4-4X

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WHAT ARE THE DIMENSIONS FOR GREENBULL TABLE?

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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WILL THE USB BREAKOUT BOARD WORK WITH MACH3?

Our machines will work with whatever CAD/CAM software you will like to use; Now knowing what you can export from EnRoute, you will need to be aware of what formats you will need for example g-code for(Mach 3 or Planet-CNC/ Linux EMC2/CNC) is what we use to essentially move the motors to cut your design.

Here is a forum of EnRoute dealing with Mach 3 (http://store.thinksai.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=701).

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Will the Bluechick v4.2 work with EnRoute CAD/CAM Software?

Our Computer CNC-systems, come integrated with all the required electronics (motherboard, HDD, PSU). Only input devices(mouse, keyboard, monitor) and software are required to be purchased separately, to have a complete ready to go system.

Here (https://www.buildyourcnc.com/AssembledElectronics.aspx) you can see the available option of including windows 7 to be installed with our computer system.

You can use an external HDD or Flash-drive, to transfer data from your laptop/computer to the built in computer system.

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Are the Assembled CNC Electronics Systems compatible with a laptop?

Yes, our porter cable collets and nuts will fit the porter cable 7518.

Additional Information:

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HAVE PORTER CABLE 7518 ROUTER ON MY CNC AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOUR ER20 COLLET NUT, FOR THE CABLE, WILL FIT ROUTER.

Yes, this 4th axis system will work with the Masso controller. The 4th axis has a standard stepper motor. You will need a driver between the Masso controller and the stepper motor.

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[410] Will this work with the OneFinity Elite series with the MASSO controller?

Yes, it is found in laser components section

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DO YOU GUYS SELL THE POTENTIOMETER FOR YOUR LASER SYSTEM BY ITSELF

Try slowing your feedrate down and increasing spindle RPMs. End-mills will leave a poor finish if you go too fast. Make sure your cutting depth isn't too much. Maybe the endmill or cutter is blunt? Could it be the feed direction of the cutter? Some materials need to be fed in a certain direction.

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When will Andre pay for his items?

tomorrow

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When will Andre pay for his items?

tomorrow

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When will Andre pay for his items?

The hub length of the drive sprocket and the other mechanical devise that is used to connect on the shaft will determine the length of the shaft needed for use with the drive sprocket.

The hub lengths for our drive sprockets are 1/2". So if you are connecting the drive sprocket to a motor, your motor shaft will need to be at least 1/2" in length.

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wHAT IS THE SMALLEST LENGTH SHAFT I CAN USE FOR YOUR #25 DRIVE SPROCET?

If the pins from the terminal block on the side of the board are outputs, or at least 2 of them are outputs, then you can connect our modular driver to the board (example: cw230). If they are all inputs, then you would not be able to connect an external driver.

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I AM USING A XYLOTEX 3 AXIS BOARD AND WANT TO ADD ANOTHER MOTOR SLAVED THE X-AXIS. WILL DRIVE CW230 WORK?

We do have a relay board that words like a standard relay.

Here is the URL of the relay board that we offer:

https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-breakout-Relays-relay-board-250V-12A-5V

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I HAVE YOUR MACH3 USB BOB, DO YOU GUYS SELL A TORCH CONTROL RELAY CAN WIRE UP TO TURN MY PLASMA ON AND OFF HOW WOULD WIFE THAT TOO THIS BOB?