Builders Guide To A DIY Engraving Machine

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L298N is a stepper driver chip I think it is a common one.

some links

http://www.st.com/stonline/books/ascii/docs/1773.htm

http://www.melabs.com/products/books/stbook.htm

http://www.futurlec.com/Boards.shtml
 
I dunno if this helps you guys, but Xilinx sells a spartan-3 FPGA evaluation board for $99 that is just absolutely FANTASTIC. Would make an excellent 'brain' for a CNC or engraver... it has a serial port which it could use to communicate with a PC, and expansion ports which could breakout a bus to communicate with a bunch of PICs for stepper control. At least, that's how I'd do it likely :)

I have one of these boards, and they're so handy and fun for designing any kind of random digital widgeter.
 
Thanks Twin! Finally looks like a good plan to buy :)

http://www.machinetoolcamp.com/2x2.htm
 
[quote author="Bauman"]Thanks Twin! Finally looks like a good plan to buy :)

http://www.machinetoolcamp.com/2x2.htm[/quote]

LOL you starting a engraving busyness

Expect to spend about $3800 on this machine.

For steppercards check this site out: http://www.pro-tos.de/
 
You now, making the machine cnc isn't really a major concern for me because there's so many controllers and drivers out there for reasonable money. You can get 3 axis for under $400. My main goal right now is to find a viable and not too expensive way to build the mechanical side of the machine. I'm getting some really good ideas now. So far, that supertech machine is looking like the best way to go. It uses standard off the shelf tubing and can be modded for the dim you need.

It's important to get an idea of the cost of building because in the back of my mind is the fact that I can buy a complete milling machine for $280. All I'd need to do is convert for cnc, maybe change out the spindle and voila. This is looking good to me also right now because the US dollar is so low nowadays.
 
LOL you starting a engraving busyness

:grin:
Doesn't sound like a bad idea... since there's no engraving service down here, nothing at all... can you believe that? (at least I don't find one...)
Maybe just till I get the machine paid...

BUt US$3.8k is way too much...

back to google :roll:
 
Hi Tommy, if you can buy for $280 milling machine, go for it, just check if you have enough axe resolution, maximal x-y moving(50x60cm good, 15x45 cm is minimum for front pannels); z moving of 2-5cm will be enough too; and other stuff is just electronics, steppers are cheap
and l297/298 too; for better resolution use allegro a3977; if your steppers
need more than 2a/wdg, add to it power h-bridges and pull 'em to current sence point(must work).
But entering in hell of building complete x-y-z table can be finished
with serious headache:))
Good luck with your engraver! :grin:
 
Fabio, there is a lot of engraving service in SP.

I have some liks I can send you later since it´s 3am now and I´m going to bed.
 
I'm trying to find places to buy ball screws and/or lead screws but without much luck. I've found plenty of info about them but no dealers :roll:

I'm zeroing in on a design which should be good and simple for a lot of us to handle.
 
What software should I use to convert a pcb-layout (gerber for example) to something that could be used with a PCB router (HPGL-file)?

/Anders
 
Anders,

You will need dedicated software to translate PCB layout into direct-copper-routing files.

Look at e.g.

http://smtinspection.com/t-tech.htm

http://www.autograv.de/Platinengravur/platinengravur.htm

Jakob E.
 
You will need dedicated software to translate PCB layout into direct-copper-routing files.

Look at e.g.

http://smtinspection.com/t-tech.htm

http://www.autograv.de/Platinengravur/platinengravur.htm

Jakob E.

The T-Tech looks good, but I don't want to buy the machine. I just need the software. Couldn't find the software in the store-section. Did I miss something?

The platinengravur software is in german - not my favourite language for ms-dos applications.

/Anders
 
Anders,

There are several other PCB-engraving/routing softwares out there. But they are very expensive..

Let us know if you find anything affordable..

Jakob E.
 
Would be nice if this guy offer a kit........

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50924&item=3859075164&rd=1


Could be some useful info...........

http://www.dakeng.com/software.html
 
lots of very good info here...
(I actually just ordered some stiff from here)
http://www.megauk.com/cgi-bin/mega/lp.pl?page=http://www.megauk.com/products.html
There metal etching kits are starting to make me think
 
[quote author="Learner"]Would be nice if this guy offer a kit........
[/quote]
I purchased those plans from him... good info..

the reason he isnt offering a kit.. im sure is because delrin is quite expensive added into it the cost of shipping and its easier for the builder to acquire that material in their local town or pay mail order and pay for shipping one time..

plus as with alot of our DIY projects (selecting tubes or transformers etc..) I think the steppers become a builders preference.. as in you can put in hi-performance/precision or go more economical and step em down a few notches..

ive been contimplating building one but it really does become one of those (oh I bet it'll run me up to $700-$800) and then shopping around a little (NOT on ebay but rather localy) I can fnd some commercial machines selling for under $2k only thing is space becomes a serious issue
 
Hey steve,
I was more refering to the frame of the machine, since it looks like custom made frames? I don't think I can get all that parts off the shelf at the local hardware store to fit together that nicely, it looks really well done!!! :shock:

As far as the drill motor and power supply I guess that would be very much personal choice to beef up the power and not needed to be included in the kit.........

One thing tho, finding a common free software to control the machine to do both PCB and engraving could be a bit of a problem........... May be you could use AUTOCAD but that's not very convenient for PCB layouts, so you might need to find a way to convert garber to CAD file.......

You know, I think this would be a hot item to offer as a kit to all the DIYer here, what do you say!? :grin: :green:

I would be keen to get one, I am sure a lot of guys here would love one too......
 
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