You would use a combination of bearings and collars to prevent your lead screw or rod from being able to move back and forth. Without it being able to move back and forth, you shouldn't have the couplings coming apart, because the motor is solidly mounted and unable to move as well.

I will try to draw a picture using symbols, with a key to define what each part is.

--CB|--------------|BC}{M

- = Lead Screw or Rod
C = Collar
B = Bearing
| = Wood, the frame of your machine
}{ = Coupling
M = Motor

On the example above you could replace the collar on the motor side with one half of the coupling, putting it right upside of the bearing to hold it in place instead. Like this:

--CB|--------------|B}{M

You could also place the bearings on the inside as follows:

----|BC----------CB|--}{M

Click the link to add information to this solution:
can you please specify how to connect the collar/nut and bearings to prevent the axial movement of lead screw. Do I have to put that next to the stepper motor /coupling assembling or on the other side where the lead screw comes out. Or is there any way I can make the flexible coupling rigid so it does not come out of the middle spider?

We recommend our electronics combo for the scratch build kit, which you can find on our site here: https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-3axis-425-elcombo. This is our standard general purpose 3 axis electronics system, and includes (3) NEMA 24 425 oz-in stepping motors, (3) Drivers (3.0Amp 24-40 Volts, with 1-1/64 microstepping), (1) 36v 8.8a Power Supply, (1) Interface Board either USB or Parallel. (The USB version requires PlanetCNC software; the parallel interface board gives you a variety of options, Mach3 being one popular choice.)

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I got the plans and hardware from you guys and im almost ready for the stepper motor part of this build. what size motors are good to use for this build? the size of cnc will be 2x4 when finish or what size will not work? thanks

If the machine is not moving when you use a control program to control the electronics, there could be a many reasons this could happen.

First, make sure that you followed the electronics videos: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/CNCElectronicsandWiring.aspx

The computer sends pulses from the conmputer while the control program interprets the g-code. These puses from the computer should be received in the correct form from the breakout board, or interface. Make sure that the step low active is enabled if the pin is connected to the CP- (PUL-, or STEP-) and the 5v is connected to the CP+ (PUL+ or STEP?+) at the driver.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I'm trying to test cnc with Mach 3 as it says in the book. When I send the g codes, nothing happens. I occasionally hear a bump from the machine, but there's no real rhyme or reason as to when it will bump. What could be wrong?

If your motors are hot to the touch, this is normal. Current is being drawn by the motor coils as the motor moves and as the motor stays at a position. If the motor is not using the current in the coils to move (holding it's position), the energy will be translated as heat (rather than motion, sound or light). Even while moving, some of the energy will be lost as heat. Remember that energy cannot be created nor destroyed.

Additional Information:



Additional Information:



Additional Information:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I HAVE FOLLOWED ALL THE "CNC ELECTRONICS 1 - 9" VIDEOS AND I'M USING ALMOST EXACT SAME COMPONENTS (MOTORS RUN SOUND GOOD) BUT MOTORS ARE RUNING VERY HOT IN JUST 15MIN WITH NO LOAD DONE SOMETHING WRONG OR DO STEPPERS HOT?

If your motors are hot to the touch, this is normal. Current is being drawn by the motor coils as the motor moves and as the motor stays at a position. If the motor is not using the current in the coils to move (holding it's position), the energy will be translated as heat (rather than motion, sound or light). Even while moving, some of the energy will be lost as heat. Remember that energy cannot be created nor destroyed.

Additional Information:



Additional Information:



Additional Information:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I have followed all the "CNC Electronics 1 - 9" videos and I'm using almost the exact same components (motors run and sound good) but the motors are runing very hot in just 15min with no load - have I done something wrong or do steppers run very hot?

Book build (scratch build), feedrates and recommendation.

Using standard allthread will provide around 20-30 ipm using 36 volts. Although it allows for a working CNC machine, the RPM of the spindle/router will need to spin at the lowest setting to provide the beat efficiency and life for the end mill at 1/4" cut diameter and higher. The speeds may be fine for smaller end mills.

If you would like faster speeds, you should change the lead screws on the CNC machine to the 1/2" 5 start 10 TPI which translates to 2 turns per inch which means, the stepping motor will not need to turn as fast to produce faster motion. That is to say, the stepping motor will only need to turn two revolutions for the machine to travel one inch and with the allthread, the stepping motor will need to turn 13 times to reach one inch.

Link to the lead screw and other mechanical parts needed:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/CNCMachineMechanicalParts.aspx

To change the lead screws you will need (for each axis):

1. The lead screw for that axis.
2. Two 1/2" collars to keep the lead screw axially stable.
3. One Antibacklash nut.

Additional Information:
20

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Since I am using normal all-thread lead screw 13 TPI 1/2" for the book build cnc, what can be the maximum feed rate of machine and how can I change the mechanical setup in mach 3? I am using 1/4" steel carbile endmill with 2 flutes and router is 2 HP with variable speed

Attaching two motors in parallel is possible, but you will need another motor and driver for the opposite side. Each motor must have its own driver to work accordingly and fluently. The two can be wired together, to the same pins on your breakout board and set the dip switches on the driver to match the ones on your x-axis(ex). But remember to view the orientation of the motor and which way it spins, since it is on the opposite side it will have to be orientated correctly to move in sync with the other motor.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I just finished building my first CNC with the electronics I purchased from you and I am already thinking about improving it. I would like to build a 2 motor X axis solution. Is it possible to attach 2 parallel motors and drivers to the BlueBrew Breakout Board? If so, how?

Looks like you are trying to screw me out of $30 plus tax as there will be no pdf files forthcoming unless I shell out another $255. Unless you provide the pdf files I will be forced to seek return of funds and will be notifying VISA, GOOGLE PLAY and the BBB doing so until I get satisfaction. If you are not going to honor your book title by providing complete usable information you should remove your book from the market place, or offer it for free. At this point I don't know how you justify screwing your customers like this, but this one ain't going to take it laying down.

Additional Information:
Official Buildyourcnc response:
Thanks for informing us of this issue. Have you looked at this part of the wabsite:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/Book.aspx

The link to the "book" portion of the website is in the footer of every page of the website. If there is a problem with the pdf documents on any page of this portion of the website, please let me know here. Many thanks, Patrick Hood-Daniel

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I PURCHASED YOUR BOOK TO BUILD A CNC ROUTER, THE PLAN DRAWINGS ARE INDECIPHERABLE AND TEXT WITH THEM IS ILLEGIBLE. THERE NOTE REFER MDF PARTS LAYOUT 1 PDF, 2 PDF PLANS & CUT LIST DOWNLOADABLE FROM THIS SITE. WHERE THEY CAN'T FIND THEM?

The fact that you cannot move the motors with the keyboard serves as a clue to a couple possibilities.

- The software may not be communicating with parallel port. (One possibility may be that your step pins are not low active, or vice versa depending on your drivers).
- You may not be in the correct tab of Mach3. Make sure you are in the Program Run tab.
- The jog on/off button on the program run screen may not be lit (invoked).

This address below shows the complete troubleshooting for this type of situation. It will show how to test each pin at the parallel port at the back of the computer and everything else associated with correctly wiring the electronics.

https://buildyourcnc.com/CNCElectronicsandWiring.aspx




Additional Information:
6 axis robot with Mach3 Card 6 Axis Motion Controller

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I have a home built CNC running Mach 3. I have power to all the motors and the breakout board but no movement when running g-code. I cannot even manually move the motors with the arrow keys or page up and down. It also has an integrated 120v receptacle showing an open ground. I don't know if all this is related.

We recommend our electronics combo for the scratch build kit, which you can find on our site here: https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-3axis-425-elcombo. This is our standard general purpose 3 axis electronics system, and includes (3) NEMA 24 425 oz-in stepping motors, (3) Drivers (3.0Amp 24-40 Volts, with 1-1/64 microstepping), (1) 36v 8.8a Power Supply, (1) Interface Board either USB or Parallel. (The USB version requires PlanetCNC software; the parallel interface board gives you a variety of options, Mach3 being one popular choice.)

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I am going to build a CNC 4x4 plasma table. The frame is made of 1 1/4" pipe and the gantry will be made of either 2"x 2" or 2"x 3" tubing. What size stepper motors do you suggest?

The fact that you cannot move the motors with the keyboard serves as a clue to a couple possibilities.

- The software may not be communicating with parallel port. (One possibility may be that your step pins are not low active, or vice versa depending on your drivers).
- You may not be in the correct tab of Mach3. Make sure you are in the Program Run tab.
- The jog on/off button on the program run screen may not be lit (invoked).

This address below shows the complete troubleshooting for this type of situation. It will show how to test each pin at the parallel port at the back of the computer and everything else associated with correctly wiring the electronics.

https://buildyourcnc.com/CNCElectronicsandWiring.aspx




Additional Information:
6 axis robot with Mach3 Card 6 Axis Motion Controller

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I bought Mach 4 and Mach 3 USB Motion card STB4100. The installation Manual you direct me to is for installing board with Mach3. Where can I find directions for the combination of products I bought? The axis motors are held stationary by the magnets but when I try to jog an axis from mach 4 program, no movement.

I am not using a parallell port. I am using a USB.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I bought Mach 4 and Mach 3 USB Motion card STB4100. The installation Manual you direct me to is for installing board with Mach3. Where can I find directions for the combination of products I bought? The axis motors are held stationary by the magnets but when I try to jog an axis from mach 4 program, no movement.

Dealing with our scratch Build kit/BYO CNC Book Kit, you will use our basic 3 axis electronics kit (https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-3axis-425-elcombo). Now dealing with the Breakout Board, the book specifies the parallel port BoB, but you can use the USB BoB and use Planet-CNC rather than using Mach 3 or Linux-CNC as your control software.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Correct kit of motors and electronics, I bough a book in Amazons kindle to build a CNC, this book mention a kit of motors and electronics for parallel port, I want to use USB, can you suggest me the correct kit fot this machine.

Looks like you are trying to screw me out of $30 plus tax as there will be no pdf files forthcoming unless I shell out another $255. Unless you provide the pdf files I will be forced to seek return of funds and will be notifying VISA, GOOGLE PLAY and the BBB doing so until I get satisfaction. If you are not going to honor your book title by providing complete usable information you should remove your book from the market place, or offer it for free. At this point I don't know how you justify screwing your customers like this, but this one ain't going to take it laying down.

Additional Information:
Official Buildyourcnc response:
Thanks for informing us of this issue. Have you looked at this part of the wabsite:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/Book.aspx

The link to the "book" portion of the website is in the footer of every page of the website. If there is a problem with the pdf documents on any page of this portion of the website, please let me know here. Many thanks, Patrick Hood-Daniel

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I purchased your book to build a cnc router, the plan drawings are indecipherable and text with them is illegible. There is a note to refer to MDF Parts Layout 1 PDF, MDF Parts Layout 2 PDF and MDF Plans & Cut List PDF downloadable from this site. Where are they I can't find them?

Yes, we can help you with leveling your CNC machine even if you didn't purchase it from us.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
[789] I need to level my cnc machine, but I didn't purchase it from you, so: Do you offer tech support with leveling a cnc? Because I don't see this problem listed .And: Do you offer support if my machine was purchased in China or from another vendor?

Dealing with a 4' x 12' machine, our blackFoot kit will be your best option. Since our machines are only limited to the width but not length wise, you can add however much extra rail and roller chain to accommodate your extended length. Now adding our 4th axis kit (https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/axes-4th) will be needed for your 4th axis (unless custom design is required).

These items will be the best requirements to build a 4' x 12' 4th axis machine.
Machine (either parallel/USB BoB): https://www.buildyourcnc.com/blackFoot48v40.aspx
4th axis: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/axes-4th

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Hi, I am very interested in this CNC Router unit [4'x8'], but from South Africa with our exchange rat [1$ =13,4 ZAR presently, make these kits out of reach. The plans part has been discontinued, but in our situation, would you reconsider and supply full plans and instructions at a cost? please let me know.

We are toying with the idea of re-introducing plans for some of our machines. Please give us a call to discuss further.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Hi, I am very interested in this CNC Router unit [4'x8'], but from South Africa with our exchange rat [1$ =13,4 ZAR presently, make these kits out of reach. The plans part has been discontinued, but in our situation, would you reconsider and supply full plans and instructions at a cost? please let me know.

We are developing plans for our machine, but they are not completed yet. Please let me know if you would like to be added to our list of customers wanting plans. Thanks,

Additional Information:
If you have specific questions regarding CAD, CAM and Control, please add another question to the customer service and I will answer them in detail.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
How do I get started I would like to build a cnc router. Making the machine I can do, but I am weak on cad,cam and mach3. I am thinking about a 4’x4’. Do you have plans I can buy?

You will need to build the table unit for your machine. There are instructions on how to do this at the bottom of the product page here, https://www.buildyourcnc.com/Item/cnc-machine-blackFoot-v4
There is no estimate on how much this will cost though, since there are too many variables involved to do this.

- PC with parallel port and USB port
- 20awg stranded wires for the motors - http://www.buildyourcnc.com/electronicscombo.aspx
- 18awg stranded wires for power supply to drivers
- 24awg stranded wires for breakout board to drivers
(location and spacing of components varies from one person to another, so we do not provide cables/wires)
- General purpose extension cord (cut the female end off) to provide power to power supply
- USB cable to power breakout board
- Parallel cable to communicate to breakout board
- Router
- (optional - instead of router) Spindle with power inverter http://www.buildyourcnc.com/SpindlesAndAccessories.aspx
- (if purchasing spindle with inverter) General purpose extension cord (240v) (cut the female end off) to provide power to power inverter
- End Mill(s) http://www.buildyourcnc.com/ProductsEndMills.aspx
- CAD, and/or CAD-CAM software (to produce geometry, machine operations, and g-code) http://www.buildyourcnc.com/CNCsoftware.aspx
- CNC control software (to read g-code and control machine) http://www.buildyourcnc.com/CNCsoftware.aspx

This answer is applicable to most of our machines with the exception of the greenLean and the blueChick since those machines are equipped with a table structure.

Additional Information:



Additional Information:



Additional Information:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I just wanted to know what I can expect to pay to build the blackFoot 4'x8' CNC machine, excluding computer, software and router? Is the kit complete or do I have to purchase additional items to finish?