3018 PRO - Enclosure upgrades

[@deanvance2988]

Hi James! Your videos have been the best single source of information that I have found explaining the setup and config of a 3018 Pro. I just bought my machine 3 weeks ago and until I found your channel, I was bouncing around the interwebs gathering little snippets of information. Your recent video on laser setup was released the SAME DAY that my laser arrived. Your video along with Graham Bland's documentation got me up and running in just over an hour. THANKS! I look forward to more videos.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Thank you very much 😊

[@zeroremorse24x7]

I'm currently over-designing an enclosure for a 3018 and came across your channel. Watched most of your content and you offer good information. Subbed!

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Thank you. I dont claim to be perfect and know everything but I try and share what little knowledge I have.

[@InspiredStudio]

Cool enclosure, just came from the garage building table for 3018 pro. Next it's enclosure :) Got couple extra ideas from you!

[@beccas.6983]

Your videos are so helpful!! I got a CNC for Christmas and am SO excited to get creating, but I've never had one before, so I didn't know where to start! This upgrades video was really helpful because the upgrades highlight problems I didn't realize existed, so I can handle them from the beginning!

[@adrianharrison5208]

nice uprades, I have been upgrading mine also for the last 6 months

[@johndiego3105]

Brilliant upgrades!!

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Thanks

[@leeward-qm8sz]

Love the upgrades James... the cabinet hinge (lock) thingy is a must, I had a screw sticking through my cabinet that found gravity and the back of my head lol

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Ouch! 😣

[@leeward-qm8sz]

@@JamesDeanDesigns working on the mods as we speak lol Also I want to say how thankful I am for your channel, it has brought me on leeps and bounds.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

@@leeward-qm8sz thanks! Seriously means a lot. It can take quite a while to produce some of these videos but always worth it to know its helping others 👍

[@billmartin6687]

Loved the enclosure and the videos can you please show me how you wired up all of your updates. I'm not really confident in electrics or electronics.but I would be will to try these out. Cheers. Stay Safe.

[@thecaptfun]

Nice design. I've upgraded the Y and Z axis, so I'll have to change the dims a bit and I think I'll make the extractor fan a forced fresh air input directly to the control board so it always gets cool clean air. (Always worried about dust in the electronics....) I'm designing the dust port so it can switch between my shop dust collector which recirculates air back into the shop and the paint booth ventilation that exhausts to outside when lasering. Keep up the good videos!!

[@ChatBot1337]

One thing to consider is that exterior dust collection should provide plenty of air exchange within the chamber. Regarding cooling, one must be smart about air inlets and path to the cutter/vacuum. I'm just getting started in CNC and will be building an enclosure shortly as it is about 8degF in the garage right now. I was looking for a small vac to go inside with an extraction fan but then I realized the vac is dust extraction and airflow if external. I may still go with a small internal vac as noise is my largest concern and a running shop vac defeats that purpose. I started in lasers last year and I would recommend a ducted extraction fan with a window baffle if smell is going to be a problem.

[@MCR-wq6zb]

great tips, thanks!

[@mvandepeer9836]

Outstanding build! Great to see the next part to enclosure 👍👍

[@DIYerGuy]

Excellent implementation of some good ideas James. Thanks!

[@SujMenon]

James, along with the Yi camera (I got 3 around the house, lol), I would recommend to get a wifi plug as well (around £10 from Amazon). Then you can turn it off remotely while having your beer. Lol 😅

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Good suggestion 👍

[@giannis.1972]

Nice work and nice idea will definetly copy that enclosure for my self... And I have already think one more upgrade to do a small drawer in the botom as i can see there is plenty of space. Nice way to save some tools, bits and other staff that will be used along with the CnC. Anyway great work and nice channel. Keep up James

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Thanks 👍

[@vernfl291]

Maybe you could add a second bracket to the lid to stabilize better, just a thought

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Its a good point because it does apply uneven pressure across the 2 hinges as well. I tried the gas struts originally but the lid was to light 😕

[@pankajkhanna1346]

The laser shield seems to be out of stock everywhere in the UK unfortunately, shipping fees from the manufacturer make this shield more expensive than the entire CNC machine! I've however found an alternative in the form of Perspex Red 4401 sheets which according to the manufacturer block 92% of light in the 380-790nm range with their 3mm thick sheets while of course being translucent (the Perspex Blue 7703 apparently also performs similarly in case you have a colour preference). To play it safe, I've gone for a 5mm thick sheet (should block >95% in that wavelength range compared to 92% with 3mm), with a 600x400mm sheet coming in at ~£15 delivered in the UK. I intend to make the entire door out of that Perspex; will of course need to tweak the dimensions you've suggested James. Thanks again for your very helpful videos. Hope this information is useful to others...

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Thats a decent price. Id be cautious of the blue one, i thought that was for a different wave length but I might be wrong.

[@loaderopp]

cool enclosure, A Power supply from a computer would power your extra goodies without issue.

[@johnnynix1105]

Bronco, how would you wire up a computer power supply to operate the lights and fan?

[@loaderopp]

@@johnnynix1105 you need to get a jumper block, Same thing used for firing a water pump without firing the main board.

[@snailturbo2028]

Hi! Awesome build. Couple thoughts: sound/noice proofing? Remote emergency stop switch (when you see ooooops via your camera would be nice to hity that remote button from your phone)

[@DaRkSLayer87100]

Really Appreciate what your doing here. When will you be posting a video on how to properly optimize the settings on the machine to maximize performance?

[@JohnColgan.]

Hi James, great enclosure build, very stable & strong. Thank you for posting your info videos. Very relaxed & informative, no gibberish, everything explained well. A great confidence boost to us newbies! Do you get reasonable noise surpresssion with your cabinet or any resonance on the big panels? Any sound deadening in future plans? Planning mine, thinking of smaller box with drawer slides to pull it out for maintenance & cleaning.i also have some 3 speed usb fans that I can run off an android charger. Thinking of a cross flow air circulation, suck & blow and probably usb led light. I've already bought 4 rubber feet as I'm running it on dining table ATM!!

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

The noise suppression is actually quite good. Someone on another of my videos did simply suggest putting the machine on a bed of sand is one of the best methods

[@JohnColgan.]

@George Teggin hi George,I built mine with 13mm pine panels coated with 10mm sticky sound deadening foam. Had a good 15-20dB reduction, normal operation 45-55dB which equates to normal conversation -> Office sound level. Important to seal all edges & door closure faces. I'm about to build another for 4030, 6mm MDF on 2x2 space frame. Will sandwich 6mm foam on all joints between MDF & frame & sticky foam on all interior MDF faces. Hop to build in a slide out platform, 2x front perspex doors so I can get access behind machine for cleaning.

[@ronnuckolls857]

Hi James I have the 3018pro with the y extension how much more would I have to add to the sides for it to fit.. thanks and great videos

[@charliedewar2143]

Can you make a video on fitting limit switches/end stops on the 3018 pro.

[@jongrace9133]

Noticed that 300wt spindle is the largest they offer. Can you use a third party spindle for a 500wt or larger, Already have the new metal spindle holder with the 65 mm adapter.

[@thorzweegers7616]

Hi James, thanks for all your great videos. I'm planning on building an enclosure for myself for my 3 day old 3018. I'm especially interested in reducing sound. I'm wondering whether it's worth it to include some added insulation. I could of course just add it on the outside, but if I'm relatively sure I'm adding it anyway, I'd prefer to oversize my design to be able to add it on the inside. So.... my question is: How much audible difference does your enclosure design actually make?

[@richardsandford1607]

What about putting the control board on the outside ? Could keep it cooler, only issue would be length of current cables... Great up grades! Thanks for sharing!!

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Thanks Richard. The control box does already sit on the outside. Makes it easier to turn on/off and reset. Also really minimise the amount of dust getting to it. Only wire I needed to adjust was the spindle power cable

[@richardsandford1607]

@@JamesDeanDesigns Thanks, James....

[@davidalan6701]

Any chance you’re planning on doing a video on the spoilboard you made for the CNC?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Hi David. I hope so, I have about 5 videos I need to make but dont have much free time at the minute. Hoping to try and making some time over the next few weeks

[@kkttbogart]

Any chance to get some help on how you wired the switches with the power supply? I think I got the 12v parts you got for the fan and switches, but Im not sure how you wired things up. Thank you

[@daviddeitrick27]

Have you considered an external kill switch for the machine so you shut down the machine with the enclosure is closed. Might also be easier to reach since the kill switch is on the side of the machine & you'd have to stick your hand between the machine and the wall of the enclosure. I do realize that you can kill the machine from your computer as well. Does that kill switch work fast enough to preclude using the switch on the machine?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Had considered it but also have the power switch right next to me which essentially does the same. Usually if you have to use a kill switch something has already gone wrong. Probably only one time it would have saved me is when the spindle jammed and blew bothe the spindle and the board

[@AdamAmbarus]

Great ideas James! Couple more questions: What are the 2 other swtiches for? And how are you connecting the power and USB cables to the machine? Thanks.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

3 switches in total. One for lights, one for the extraction fan and one for the cooling fan over the board. I mounted the board outside of the enclosure. Means it stays clean and is easier to access

[@AdamAmbarus]

Ahh, of course. Thanks for these bunch of clever ideas. I have to recalculate the dimensions, but the shape of this enclosure looks very cool.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

@@AdamAmbarus I had to extend the length of the cable for the spindle but the rest were fine. Been a decent enclosure considering I pretty much just made it up 🤣

[@DoubleNik]

hello very good your video, please is it possible to share the cnc3018 operation parameters? if i'm not mistaken they are 132 at all, because i have a cnc like yours but i lost the parameters

[@mikeparent7327]

Thank you for your tips and how-to tips. For the vacuum hose, how did you thread it through the panel and adapt the connector ends? Thank you, Mike

[@Jesus_is_Lord_24-7]

My Sainsmart Genmitsu 3018 Pro has the control board mounted on the back side of the machine. I don't see your control board in the same place. Did you relocate your control board? I am trying to attempt the enclosure build with the upgrades. Thank you so much for your great ideas and the plans!

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Yes, I mounted the controller outside of the enclosure. Had to extend one or two wires to make it work but it kept it out the way of all the dust

[@Ulrick1]

Nice work, just one easy question, where can I get a vacuum tube like that? All I see are rigid. Thanks

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Thank you. Its a spare hose from a dyson v7/v8. Fairly common on ebay and amazon.

[@Ulrick1]

@@JamesDeanDesigns thanks!

[@TheFotoGuys]

Hi James, Do you know if that kind of laser shield exist as film?

[@YOUTUCOP]

Hello, thanks for your videos, I have a question, do you have the CNC 3018 PRO suction 3D (STL) file? Thanks for your help...

[@paulmayuk]

Hi James I’ve just noticed that between the building an enclosure video and this one the control board have been moved. Have I missed a video on how to do this or did you not produce one. I am aiming to build an enclosure next week and may incorporate both videos into one. Keep them coming! Cheers.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

You can leave the board inside but i thought it was better outside because of all the dust. I just cut 2 track slots in a piece of plyboard and mounted it to that. Only wires I had to extend were for the spindle. Everything else was long enough.

[@paulmayuk]

Thanks for the info will have a try. Cheers

[@Joshua-ju5uc]

I noticed the end of the Dyson hose that attaches to the CNC is a little different than what it comes with. Did you cut of the end and attached some other piece?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

The Dyson hose I used was standard, but its off one of their older smaller models. I had to sand the end down a bit to fit into the dust nozzle on the CNC but that was all

[@Joshua-ju5uc]

@@JamesDeanDesigns Alright. looks like I'll have to go crazy DIY on it. Thanks for responding so quickly

[@paulmayuk]

Hi James I finally got around to making the 3018 enclosure, not as neat as yours but it will do the job. I now would like to add some of the extras you put on in this video. Do you happen to have a wiring diagram for the lights and fan by any chance? Great videos, keep them coming!

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

I dont but you just wire everything as a basics parallel circuit. The switches ive used are a pain as they require a constant live for the little blue lights but you can use basic switches

[@paulmayuk]

@@JamesDeanDesigns thanks for your reply James. I’ll maybe look into alternative switches and dig out a circuit. Cheers.

[@paulmayuk]

@George Teggin I’m sorry George but I haven’t yet. Been too bust with other things. When I get around to it I’ll let you know. Cheers

[@deanvance2988]

Also I have concluded that I need a similar enclosure setup as described above. Can you point us in the direction of any plans with dimensions showing the cuts for the enclosure box/lid itself? I could design one myself but yours looks well thought out.

[@deanvance2988]

Never mind... I found your previous video.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

@@deanvance2988 was just about to say have a flick the playlist 😆👍

[@johnnynix1105]

Hi James, I love the enclosure and it works great. A question I have for the electrical upgrade how did you wire the 12V Switch.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

As in the actual switches? You can get simple switches, but these were 3 pin switches. They essentially require 2 live connections if I remember correctly

[@johnnynix1105]

@@JamesDeanDesigns That was what I was trying to figure out if I could twist the two live wires together into a quick wire connect than to the board

[@russellmorris5324]

James. Is the spindle mounted dust collector commercially available?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

It is, if you take a look on my Tips and Tricks video there should be a link to it in the description 👍

how did you run the wires in the back of the cabinet?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

The ones for the CNC it self? Drilled 2 holes in the side and used electrical caps to fill them in so the wires could be pushed through but still keep a good seal. The control board was then mounted in the outside right by the holes

@@JamesDeanDesigns so the control board is not inside the cabinet with the unit

[@DIYerGuy]

James, can you clarify a bit on what that orange attachment to the drill head that you stick the Dyson hose into is? Is that a Dyson part that I can purchase or is it some other pre-made part that can be purchased (or is it something you specially made)? Would greatly appreciate some additional info. Thanks greatly!

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

The orange part is the dust shoe, there should be a link to it in my tips and trick video

[@DIYerGuy]

Hey James, somehow I missed that, but found it in your Tips & tricks video. Thanks again!

[@Tokraspy]

Hello I was recently told not to bother getting a laser upgrade for this type of machine because it doesn’t work properly because it’s threaded rod driven where is apparently a laser needs to be on a belt driven system is this true or does it work perfectly well and you can do a lot of laser work with it??

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

No - a laser doesn't NEED to run on belts but is more efficient on belt driven machines. Basically belt driven machines can traverse faster which is what a laser needs to do when engraving. So you will typically get better results with belt driven but it's not essential

[@darrensherriff5479]

Hi can I just ask which 12v output do you use for the lights and fan

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

My board has a 12v socket for a fan. That is what I used to work power everything

[@cwrigh13]

Hey James what laser module do you recommend for the 3018 Pro?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Mine just came with the machine, its meant to be a 15w but there are a few debates about whether they are really that powerful. All I would say is try and buy one from a branded company if possible like Sainsmart Genmitsu or Endurance Lasers to ensure some level of quality

[@pankajkhanna1346]

James, where on the board did you take the 12v power supply output from for the fan(s) and lights? I have the same board as you (at least so it seems from pictures). Thanks in advance!

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

On the right hand side of the board there should be 4 small ports. The top one is white and has 2 pins. Thats the output for the fan. It should have something like 12v/fan wrote in small white letters by it

[@pankajkhanna1346]

James Dean Designs I saw that but was unsure if I could ‘overload’ it to run some led lights and 2 PC case fans.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

@@pankajkhanna1346 so off mine I was running 2 LED strips and 2 fans. It has coped so far. Its less about the volts and more about the amps. They should be ok but perhaps put switches on so you can turn each one on individually to minimise the initial power draw

[@pankajkhanna1346]

@@JamesDeanDesigns My unit has a case for the motherboard and a fan that plugs into that socket. I toyed with removing the socket and inserting a pair of wires but instead bought an inexpensive 24v to 12v converter from Amazon and used that on a different "set of ports" on the upgraded PSU. Works like a charm and I'm not worried about overloading the motherboard.

[@bigcountryvet5984]

let's get what???