3+2 axis CNC - 3d printed automation

[@SimonCoates]

Christopher your content, designs and fabrication abilities are outstanding.

[@MrRossi1805]

Exactly my sentiments ! 😊❤

[@michaelknight2342]

I don't often insta-subscribe before finishing a video.

[@AlexandreMacabies]

“Would you like to see more electronic designs in the videos” Yes please! It's quite amazing to witness how much you manage to combine two very interesting (and difficult IMO) skill sets into these bite-sized video updates. I'd love to also see the electronic aspects of your projects. Being more of a software guy, this domain scares me - in a good way. Keep up the nice work!

[@micultimy91]

Christopher is single handedly producing content and devices at industrial quality just as a prototype shop 5 people team. Gotta respect that! 👍🏻 Can't wait to see more content like this! This channel needs more support because it's beyond any other R&D related channel you can find on KZbin.

[@Kawka1122]

Every decent engineer can do that. The only differentiating factor is amount of money.

[@TheBenenene10]

You might enjoy Wintergatan for musical RnD

[@joshmdmd]

@@Kawka1122 don't forget time!

[@Kawka1122]

@@joshmdmd and time

[@micultimy91]

@@Kawka1122 I'm not that sure. I know enough engineers that will spend sh*t load of money on toolings and materials and cannot achieve the end goal of a reliable and usable product, because most likely the corporate world had removed the creativity from their heads. Not to mention that universities are starting the creativity killing process, before you get hired. I see every single day people doing the same old tasks in the same inefficient manner and they do not bother changing anything for the better, not because there are no material resources, but because they lack creativity and will as resources.

[@NicksStuff]

You might want to add a shield to keep the chips from getting in your plastic gears. I would also consider a different solution to hold the box in place, something with springs and/or magnets to avoid the use of two external plastic parts and a drill

[@JeronimoStilton14]

Damn beat me to it. saw those plastic shavings hitting the Vaseline and immediately wanted a shield.

[@fugenfuller-rp1fu]

Also agree on that manual fixation action that is quite time consuming.

[@Haagimus]

You can do something like spring retention clips that have like a little triangle bit on the end. So when you push it in it snaps into place and to take it out. All you do is push in the tab

[@tjh44961]

@@Haagimus I think toggle clamps would work very well, they could just pivot down into the hand holes. They are often used in workholding in small production runs.

[@joshmdmd]

Honestly even a sheet of paper or thin cardboard would do. I poke a hole through cardboard and put my nozzle through the hole whenever I blow chips to contain them. With the plastic being cut I doubt there is significant heat in the 'chips' so this type of guard would work.

[@derektoy4444]

Thank you so much for your content. I think I can speak for a lot of us saying that whatever content you are willing to share with us is more than appreciated because it is an absolute joy to watch

[@iridiandot]

Genuinely stunning work, would love to see at least the overview of the electronics.

[@louisnoel3170]

Your content is incredible. The more you make the better! Would love to see videos on your electrical design

[@piotrnod6489]

MAN Your channel blows mind. This kind of engineering is best thing ever. Bless the gods of interweebs for allowing us to be a part of your adventures!

[@petergamache5368]

Excellent work. In many disciplines, "cheap" and "lazy" are insults - not so in engineering. It seems like you've put just the right amount of effort and robustness into the design to do the intended job - an optimal outcome!

[@JonXuereb]

Engineering is just the management of compromises

[@nuttButterAMK]

The way you're explaining what you do so nonchalantly is even more mind blowing than what you do. I'm jealous of your talent, and grateful that you share what you do with everyone. Your videos are very fun to watch. Thank you

[@chance9979]

WOW!!! Outstanding design by fitting your production elements into totes. What an excellent way to create a modular design.

[@lennartb4]

First of all, your designs and ideas are incredible. I just cant but wonder what you did in the past and how you got so far that you got the knowledge, tools and inspiration to do what you do. Maybe a question for the Q and A :)

[@ChrizRockster]

These are the skills of someone involved in machine building, toolmaking and jig / fixture making. Manufacturing, specifically in the German style with an Industry 4.0 / Lean Manufacturing understanding. If you watch how junior engineers are trained in Germany under people who make CNC machines for example, you can see why Chris has been given the mental tools he needs to let his innovative brain run free.

[@JeronimoStilton14]

@@ChrizRockster Wish that happened here in the states lol. Land of the proudly ignorant

[@jetplume]

@@ChrizRockster Know anywhere that somebody could read about that?

[@unknown_user2345]

​@@jetplumeWhat do you mean? Reading of how trainees learn to do what they do or how integration of industry 4.0 is working?

[@jetplume]

@@unknown_user2345 I'm looking for the training materials used to teach them.

[@kathrynelrod5570]

impeccable work as usual. congratulations on the sponsorship!

[@_skyyskater]

Video Summary: Guy invents 7th dimension portal to another universe to improve the efficiency of his screw counting machine.

[@MrDirkles]

He could have bought himself a set of scales 🤔

[@Bruceanddenise]

😂

[@The.Talent]

If you move the clamping mechanisms to the inside of the box, you could have them permanently mounted rather than having them removed and re-attached at each mounting, and if you have a long threaded rod with opposite threads on each end, you could make it so you only have to put the driver onto one end to tighten both clamps. Taking this two steps further, you could automate the driver by having a stepper motor mounted on the plate that automatically tightens the rod at the start of the process and loosens at the end of the job.

[@serenerebel1983]

This has been immense inspiration for a box milling solution i also require. Thankyou.

[@benkeller3]

The level of thought and skill to put this together is impressive. Please keep producing content of your work.

[@KiemPlant]

I have noticed that a lot of these channels that I've been getting in my recommendations are often not even a year old with quite a lot of subscribers and views. Maybe I should start one of these just to document my builds as I love making stuff just as much as I love watching others doing the same. And a common factor between them seems to be very high quality videos from the start.

[@MyMomHadMe]

I don’t want to push you away from doing it, but I just want you to realize there’s tons of video tricks here that you don’t see that’s pretty tough to figure out. There’s more than just setting up a tripod and your phone while already working. It’s a LOT of work, but surely can be very rewarding. Just know how big of a bite you’re taking.

[@Tgspartnership]

I like seeing your projects come to fruition, despite the fact that I have no possible use for such equipment and lack the required skills, know how and patience to work through a project build that you have documented. The fact that you are building cabinets from these generic plastic crates makes perfect sense as a design, and it's a cool business decision to use something so widely available and so repeatable. I wonder how many other useful products could be build around the simple plastic stacking crate.

[@alialislm6487]

The designs and the clean implementations are extraordinary. Loved it

[@wunschvelo]

Die Volksfräse VF1 --- es gibt doch noch Hoffnung da draußen -- sehr gehaltvoller und inspirierender Content! Herzlichen Dank

[@whatfor5]

I'm continually inspired and impressed by your thoughtful approach to design an engineering. Thank you so much for taking on the immense effort to document and share it. It is really special. A thought on gear lubrication: particularly in the area of an active CNC, chip fouling is a real concern. So while a grease lubricant (like Vaseline) is a tempting option for lubricity and safety, it might not be ideal for gear longevity or cleanliness. A dry lubricant would be preferable and I have had good luck on printed parts using synthetic waxes or even bar soap. Just a thought. I confess, I have not done a study on the subject, these lubricants have always just been "good enough."

[@uiopuiop3472]

This is really interesting, nice to see open source automation that's on par with industry solutions

[@ABehrooz]

This is by far the cleanest DIY CNC I have seen. Good Job.

[@egemens]

using herringbone gears to reduce play is a very good idea. simple and brilliant. And also very good work overall, thanks for sharing.

[@DrG2k9]

Da ich denke, dass du mich verstehst, sage ich es in deutsch: das ist ganz großes Kino was du da gebaut hast und mit der Volksfräse hast du ja auch ne gute Fräse. Hast du die schon auf KUS und Linearschienen umgebaut?

[@christopherhelmke]

Hi, danke dir. Auf KUS habe ich leider noch nicht umgebaut, steht aber auf jeden Fall an!

[@AlbertScoot]

Other than a couple nitpicks and things you've already noticed for improving, your setup is really good.

[@zartes_pflaenzchen]

It’s not just your voice, I freaking love ur hands… the way you smear the cream …

[@dankay9202]

Bruh lmao

[@flinkiklug6666]

You could also add a vacuum near the box under the table to get all the dust away, or use air pressure. Very nice project. Like to look how it grows

[@flinkiklug6666]

you said it in the end that you will add a vacuum, I think my idea with pressurised air is a bit messy, the chips will land everywhere

[@Phenex125]

Super Design und klasse Video - vielen Dank für's Teilen Christopher!

[@toddbrous_untwist]

This is INCREDIBLE!! Thank you!

[@robertheinrich2994]

this is beautiful. if I ever come into the situation that I need such a solution, I now know where to look. those boxes are literally dirtcheap, the only important part is to set up the injection molding once (which isn't easy) and then it cranks out those boxes for literally material cost. and they are designed to be massively sturdy.

[@Rushil69420]

Love stumbling upon content and creators like this. Glad you decided to share what you do.

[@Karebear9001]

I’ve done some antique cylinder phonograph restoration and the main springs used to be packed with petroleum jelly and graphite powder. I used graphite powder for plastic gear trains in environmental chambers. Very cool project

[@BloodyMobile]

I absolutely love it. Just needs some "dust" collection. Or at the very least, the gears some covering.

[@PM.al.whatmough]

I have always wondered what router companies didn't recess a 4th or 5th axis in the table. So cool to see you do it!

[@helicopterdriver]

There are a few commercial ones available for a steep price. Most are mounted on the side or ends.

[@MrBlakBunny]

"I didn't want to be bothered spending time cutting boxes, so i am spending time making a machine to do it for me" :P awesome work and quite scalable

[@conorstewart2214]

If you don’t like gear lubrication you could try making the gears or at least their teeth out of nylon, which is supposed to be low friction and self lubricating. I also saw you can get PC-PTFE blended filament which has low friction but it is expensive. Edit: something else I have used is a PTFE spray lubricant, it is quite messy to apply being a spray but it dries onto the part, coating it in a layer of PTFE which means it doesn’t really pick up dust since it is dry but it makes it very smooth and lubricated.

[@szurketaltos2693]

PTFE is also bad for the environment, so best to avoid unless it is production critical.

[@mil3k]

​@@szurketaltos2693Explain how Polytetrafluoroethylene is bad for environment, please.

[@szurketaltos2693]

@@mil3k PTFE breaks down into PFOA which is associated with cancer and other health risks. And, GenX (a precursor of PTFE) causes similar risks -- so the production of PTFE is quite bad for the environment.

[@chipcode5538]

I really like the parts you make, watched all previous videos after seeing this. 👍

[@trialsofthewilds6571]

Incredible stuff, happy to hear all your thoughts on all your projects!

[@ekarakaya3402]

I was expecting modelling, designing, mechanical or plc automation courses from the course website. I think we need a video like how you came this level. I like your videos as a mechanical engineer. I wish you the best

[@PCBWay]

This is truly AMAZING! 👍

[@purelife9000]

I was wondering what an absolute GENIUS looked like. Thank you for clearing that up for me.

[@Dozer456123]

I'm sitting here absolutely flabbergasted at everything you do

[@Betruet]

Just subscribed. I thoroughly enjoyed your video and look forward to more. Thankyou for all the time and effort you took to share this.

[@TeamGreenHQ]

Just binged the series, can't wait for more!

[@enzoruberto]

I would love to see more electrical engineering too. Your videos are fantastic already and I think your electronics videos would be great too

[@Diemermakes]

You could adjust the size of the wood cutout on top and one of the handle grippers could stay permanently affixed and it would save you quite a bit of time with the mounting process. You could place the box down, clip it in to the handle gripper, and then attach the other one with the bolt.

[@chiparooo]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

[@mylittleparody2277]

Very clean production and video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@WhiteLion1337]

Top Arbeit Christopher! Ich ziehe meinen Hut.

[@baxbanni2226]

Really awesome!! And I am so curious how you integrated 4th and 5th axis into your CAM and CNC software. Hopefully seeing it in another video soon. 👍👍👍

[@SamPinchesMakerShop]

Also curious about triggering external axis or events from ESTLCAM

[@_..-.._..-.._]

Same, wondering if it’s sensor driven or timed.

[@jacobusburger]

The idea of a modular assembly/sorting process is really cool.

[@gianfrancoparretta7648]

I only saw the video now, but I have to congratulate you on the project and the realization of the whole thing. I really appreciate it, well done! You already have my membership. I hope for new interesting videos and evolutions. See you soon, greetings. 👍🏼

[@JonMurray]

This was so awesome and impressive on so many levels. Finally the KZbin algorithm spits out a gem! Outstanding work. New subscriber ✌🏻

[@kalashin1529]

This is so great! Really love it! What a nice way of thinking and engineering! Well done!

[@henrikbakk1]

Love your content -- and very interesting to see your design process, tackling sub-problems as you go! Electrical design info would also be fun to watch. Keep doing what you're doing :)

[@heckyes]

What an amazing KZbin channel. So glad I stumbled upon it. Instant sub.

[@im_ricebowl]

I've been watching you for a while now and man I just really love the content. don't know but I find it both interesting as a learning process but also a little entertaining. One advice tho is to add a cover for those gears since in certain orientations, the bottom big gear is exposed to plastic debris which can jam the gear and ruin the 3d printed gears (though maybe 80% of debris will be sucked through the vacuum so maybe it's not as important)

[@esgow_]

Your videos are great, really outstanding! Would love to see more of the electrical engineering side of your project!

[@m1n1truck3r2]

Hats off to you! Listening to your expertise is simply great. Also, many others would have done 3 videos on those 2 extra axies. :D I would love to see you show more of the electrical and software part of this and other projekts. But please not of the cost of the mechanical engeneering. Keep your great work up!

[@PabloSanJuanOk]

Christopher, ypour videos are outstanding !!! Add more videos on this please, Would love to see more videos !! Greetings from Argentina

[@goodtimecharly]

Really nice clean design! 5th axis stuff is a game changer I don't think I could go back to just 3 it just makes life easier and opens up new possibilities. Only feedback I could think of is it would be worth making a shroud or cover for the gearing on the bottom as it'll be a chip magnet. Even with a vacuum system hooked up they will get everywhere.

[@vassiliborsow3069]

Great application. I suggest you to use a set of conical bearing as they usually wont cost much, and furthermore with light preload you can reduce play in the sysyem. For the gearing you can put the outher ring in the inside of the jig, making it semi enclosed or more easilly enclosable. Moreover you can reduce the dimension of the motor, as they are just for comands rather than power, wich in this case isn't much of a problem.

[@3d1e00]

Looks awesome, I think the one thing I would change is removing those mounting wedges that push through the handle and need the impact driver to attach. Consider putting them on the inside and have them push out via an integrated motor to remove the manual step of tightening the mount?

[@Lex.Dachstein]

I am also a big lover of Euro boxes, especially the format 40 x 30.

[@niels.faurskov]

I’m loving these videos! Very nice to follow your journey! So cool! Please do also explore those electrical engineering challenges!

[@jacobbranker159]

Outstanding. Great job Christopher.

[@NicksStuff]

Electrical engineering videos: yes, please!

[@Talvara]

Are you concerned about cut plastic making its way into your gears? from the video the plastic cuttings already made it pretty close to them

[@christopherhelmke]

I think you are right. Some covers would be a good idea.

[@mr.delicious3311]

Maybe a 3/4” tube with vacuum or air compression blower angled towards the cutting region too

[@devlaminckx3382]

Designer level: genius! Love your work.

[@yousof_e]

I didn't find a video to talk about the main part you show in your intros @0:14. Could you share how it works?

[@nathanb62]

Your design and workflow is amazing. You could make a toilet paper hold and I would be fascinated.

[@lb3d650]

Amazing content Chris and it gets better with each episode!!! keep doing it haha ! btw have you thought of any solution for non magnetic stainless steel screw and nuts?

[@christopherhelmke]

Hi, thank you! Yes I have a solution in mind .. will talk about in one of the next videos :)

[@jayhinds3937]

I always enjoy watching your content. I find it very interesting and inspiring. Keep it up!

[@peterlarson233]

This is cool, but I wonder if you could make it a lot faster with the assumption that you're only working with one particular shape, which is that packing crate. If you use something like detent pins or some other kind of hard stop at different rotation positions, you could turn the box with something like a belt drive, then have the turntable lock into place with a separate mechanism. It wouldn't be nearly as flexible of a design, but it would change working surfaces for this specific job a lot quicker.

[@thisApex3D]

Great vid! What I would love to see is how you wired that thing and how you control it. This is the hardest part imho.

[@LinkWulluf]

What about some sort of Pogo pin power pass through? So that when you stack the crates up those interlocking lips meet and somehow pass power to the other crates in line? You could end up plugging in the bottom crate and powering the whole stack or something

[@LinkWulluf]

This is the first video in your series I've seen. I personally have no use first order like this. That being said I love it! Seeing how all these little functions come together

[@GlassImpressions]

More content? Yes. Absolutely yes.

[@ChachiOhm]

Dude, very slick setup! You could even make a cutout to fit back into the table when you arent using the rotary! I would love to see more of the electronics. My question is: I have curiosity to hear your thoughts as to how this system could possibly handle nonferrous (stainless or aluminum or nylon) hardwares. Maybe you addressed this already and I missed it. Very very very cool series and I have been watching your channel closely! The more videos the better! Keep em coming!

[@nerddub]

I can answer this. this will absolutely not machine stainless steel. Nylon yes, aluminum maybe with super light passes. But the cutting forces needed to machine harder metals will tear this system apart.

[@innominatum9906]

@@nerddub Yeah, I don't even think aluminium could ever be machined on that system.

[@ChachiOhm]

@nerddub I am sorry for the confusion, I was addressing the question to the hardware counting system, not the cnc machine. I am fully aware that belted cnc machines can struggle even with soft metals. Again, sorry for the confusion. So to reword my question, how can the part counting system handle non magnetic materials?

[@nerddub]

@@ChachiOhm IIRC the newest version used an optical interrupter so it would handle any material I may be wrong on that though maybe he’ll chime in here!

[@nerddub]

@@innominatum9906 not with that spindle but the gantry looks almost capable enough

[@scott98390]

That is an incredible machine! Well done!

[@zyxwvutsrqponmlkh]

You are too good at this stuff.

[@BerkleyJones]

Genius!! I loved watching this. i wish i was as clever as you. Subscribed!! cant wait to see future projects 👍

[@hamiltonpianos]

Excellent video! I’d definitely be interested to see more of your electrical work👍😁

[@Phoen1x883]

A bit of an oddball question, but how sure are you that that box design will continue to be cheaply available long term? Your modules fit it exactly, and you have now built custom CNC tooling just for it, but how do you know they aren't planning an update of some sort for the next time they retool the factory?

[@crimpers5543]

that's the risk you take for building on sand.

[@_..-.._..-.._]

@@crimpers5543???

[@_..-.._..-.._]

I would’ve just found a way to make my own boxes, seems a tad silly, but I respect his tenacity and dedication.

[@niklasw5554]

Multiple companies make them, they are designed based on norms (size)

[@Basement_CNC]

The are "eurobox", the are cheap, stackable, and available in every hardware store in Europe

[@twisted_seraph]

Love the design. Great work. Maybe make a shield to protect your gearing.

[@andy123law]

Impressive work Christopher well done. So you have a link to the open source CNC router please?

[@artemylebedev9707]

It would be interesting to see how do you use CAM software to account those custom axes.

[@joshmdmd]

treat like 2D, manually type code for transitions between sides, make sure you change height offsets whenever height changes.

[@VEC7ORlt]

Standard deep groove bearing should always be used in pairs with some preload, that way there will be no play. Loaded axially they can safely withstand 10% of their rated axial load. You can buy pretty huge bearings so axial load wouldn't be a problem, like 6824, these go for around 20-30eu if you don't buy SKF and the like.

[@ChrizRockster]

Love this video, so nice to see a product maturing.

[@BallBusta]

Very nice milling machine you have there. One of the turning motors sounds very loud compared to the others, but all in all, it's seems to work very smoothly.

[@andrewstrauss7166]

More electrical engineering would be super interesting!

[@RobinGerritsen1995]

What is the 3 axis cnc-machine called? Do you have a link to the open source data?

[@automatemefirst]

Yes on the electronics. Very interested in that.

[@vincentbarkley9121]

Good job. Gears and gears as bearings (!) need to be enclosed. A less automated but more expedient approach to solving this problem is to make routing templates for each face of the box. Once the templates are in place, routing takes about 30 seconds per face. Templates can be made on your CNC router.

[@carlastreit]

Your content is awesome, keep going!

[@Phazaar]

Honestly spectacular execution as always. Only one note (from grim experience). Plastic swarf getting into herringbone gears is -the worst-. Given the design, it wouldn't be difficult to incorporate a shroud that stops it from getting to them, and will give you years of life from this system.

[@wsshambaugh]

This is absolutely beautiful but man would it have just been simpler to make a jig to located the boxes the existing CNC and just flip them manually. How many of these are you planning to cut?

[@shingabiss]

Outstanding and brilliant!

[@BombasticVirus]

allow me to throw in my 2 cents. probably will be a good idea to cover the orange gears from the cut dusts. 10:00 maybe a solution of brushes around the bottom of the box holder, brushed like used in the pantorouter dust collector