Ep27: CNC Ethernet Upgrade - making a plan !

[@mirlin3602]

Well done going for UCCNC, best thing I ever did. I’ve been running a Shizuoka mill of it for years and it’s been excellent.

[@routercnc9517]

Thanks. Don’t know why I left it so long !

[@mirlin3602]

The new interface is very nice, worth a look if you’ve not seen it already. There was some nice information on what’s available now on your video, thanks for showing. I really liked the 12 way distribution blocks, can you show a link for them? Did you know that you can also use the controller with Mach 3 and 4(?)? UCCNC doesn’t do peck drilling, but the Mach post processors handle it differently and can sometimes be a better option than the UCCNC ones when used with the UCCNC software.

[@routercnc9517]

Thanks. As someone helpfully pointed out there is also the Masso pcless option which is worth a look. Sure I’ll add a link and description for those 12 way distribution blocks. Thanks

[@routercnc9517]

Do you mean the one by Gerry (Ger21). I’ll probably get that when I’m doing the software side. Yes, I knew about the Mach3/4 compatibility but fancied a change. I like image idea of hardware and software from the same company plus had read good things about it.

[@mirlin3602]

@@routercnc9517 I thought I’d replied to this but it seems to have disappeared. The screen you show is the stable release version from the website, however, there are regular updates for the controller software posted as beta releases. The latest is just a few months old but I’ve been using the previous version and it has been rock solid. This is a genuine UCCNC update, not Gerry’s. If you go to the forum, General Discussion, and look in the first locked thread under test releases, it is at the very end of the thread. It has a more professional look about it and is not quite so Candy coloured albeit the original is good to use. I’m also using a cheap micro pc which fits into the palm of my hand. Best wishes, Mike

[@Uk_Grid_Engineering]

Just a note on the cross over cable iirc modern network interfaces has a feature called auto mid/mdix this will sense if the cable run need to be crossed or straight and can adjust at one end as needed (also senses of somebody had plugged in a crossover cable in when not needed and correct for this)

[@routercnc9517]

Yes I think it mentioned that in the manual. As I think most people would connect the PC directly I just wanted to point it out. Thanks

[@kennyhebert8731]

I have watched your entire series so far, LOVE them all. I have built a few panels using axbb-e and I will tell you. Your going to love it. Going from Mach 3 to UCCNC for me was day and night. Im now building another but trying out the Centroid Acorn this time

[@routercnc9517]

Thank you. Yes I’ve been using the improved CNC machine for a while now and really like the UCCNC system. No going back to Mach3 !

[@broglet2003]

Looking forward to this video series! I will be embarking on my own build in a couple fo months so am interested to de what you do.

[@routercnc9517]

OK good. Obviously this is not a tutorial, just documenting my build so get advice if not sure with electrics. Good luck with it !

[@broglet2003]

@@routercnc9517 I am happy with the electrics and mechanics.What is great is that you explain why you do something. The interference issue and the 25m extension lead is a good example. It could take days to work that out if it happens to me but having seen your experience could be really useful. That is the good thing about KZbin; you can benefit from the experience of people you would never meet but have similar interests. It could take more than a lifetime to learn all of this stuff myself.

[@routercnc9517]

I’m happy to share what I have learned as I’m just passing on something I learned from somewhere else. I’m glad you like the explanations. I’m never sure if people are interested in the approach or have a short attention span and just want a fast glossy build. Anyway thanks for following along !

[@rapppaa]

i use a uc300eth and i love it, i build another 2 machines and use that axbb-e and was amazing! the suport from uccnc guys was pretty good! 100% confidence in uccnc products!

[@routercnc9517]

Ok thanks, that is good to know!

[@clivesewart8723]

Nice vid as usual. I think Jazzcnc also stocks closed loop motors and spindles

[@routercnc9517]

OK thanks Clive. I’ll get the full list and put it in the description.

[@raulirimias4810]

Why not replacing with Masso PCless controller?

[@routercnc9517]

I just had a look at that and it looks interesting. I did look at some other standalone controllers but decided to stick with the PC option as my wife has a spare one.

[@raulirimias4810]

@@routercnc9517 Their support services are awesome. And the installation is fast forward.

[@routercnc9517]

OK good to know thanks

[@sonsrc1326]

Definitely a lot of stuff to get on with that mate

[@routercnc9517]

Yes. And it gets worse as after filming this video I took the rest of the wiring and small components out to start again ! But I have a plan and we will get this done.

[@boyracer1802]

I have purchase the same unto for a 5 axis bench tip mill I have purchased Need a little help with how to wire the existing steppers in ?

[@routercnc9517]

Obviously the steppers need to connect via stepper drivers into the AXBB, but there are different types of stepper motors. I highly recommend joining the mycncuk forum where there a lots of knowledgeable people to help. You can keep asking questions and get guided through the process. Thanks

[@Z-add]

Seeing lot of people use this new axbb uccnc controller instead of smoothstepper

[@routercnc9517]

I haven’t used the smoothstepper but really like this AXBB unit and the UCCNC software

[@petronisj]

Can AXBBE-E be used with simple mechanical limit swithes?

[@routercnc9517]

Yes, both NO and NC. See section 9.3.3 of the AXBB manual.

[@bonjipoo]

Have you ever considered the using a Raspberry Pi plus Duet3D Duet3 6HC motion controller? I’m not sure it supports Mach 4, it has its own web based dashboard for control which might have less functionality than you need. But you basically send jobs over WiFi/Ethernet from Fusion 360 via a post processor as Gcode to the board/machine and then you can run each job from the web control. It has 6 high current 6.3A stepper drivers built in. Might not be suitable for your level of cnc work. But it cuts out the PC completely and possibly the external stepper drivers and it’s expandable and configurable for just about anything. Am considering it for my build.

[@routercnc9517]

I’ve pretty much decided my route as I’ve got another PC lined up and bought the controller and everything I need. But I’ll look into that option out of interest, thanks.

[@hrishikeshb]

I think the Duet series was purpose-built for 3D printers and support those kind of firmwares. Yes it is possible to get it working for a CNC but from my experience that is a lot of fiddling with settings and you really need to know the firmware inside out. I adapted a version of Marlin for a PnP machine and it was a pita. If eliminating a PC is a priority and if its for a CNC, maybe consider a Masso?

[@routercnc9517]

Yes I didn’t want to be fiddling around getting something to work. This is supposed to be a quick upgrade to get going again. I’ve just looked at the Masso and it’s a neat option. But my wife has a spare PC so I’m going to set that up and hopefully be back into the original project.

[@hrishikeshb]

@@routercnc9517 Good luck and thank you for putting out these videos! 👍

[@bonjipoo]

Yep there is a learning curve to the Duet ecosystem and the fiddling comes in the form of a configuration file which you need to customise for your machine (ie stepper currents, directions, buttons, sensors etc) no matter if you’re building a 3D printer, CNC, laser cutter, wire bender etc. Easy stuff if you’re familiar with gcode. It’s heavily leaned toward custom 3D printer market because the market is so big; hundreds of millions of dollars compared to the custom CNC market which I should think is much smaller. Just a bit more reading for people on that and a more affordable option compared to Masso, Mach 4 and others. I know you’re sorted but this info might help someone else. Good luck. Love the videos. 👍🏼

[@thermicdude9164]

That 25m cable in a coil is probably a good choke?

[@routercnc9517]

Yes I think so. Plus there is a lot of cable from the other socket it is plugged into before it can get back to the PC

[@royal1074]

Amazing.

[@routercnc9517]

Thanks. Stay tuned for more !

[@TrPrecisionMachining]

very good video routercnc

[@routercnc9517]

Thanks for following along !

[@Z-add]

Is uccnc touchscreen capable?

[@routercnc9517]

I don’t know sorry. Email UCCNC - they are very quick to reply.

[@sbooder]

Ah, projects within projects. It's the way of things. I think most of us following this project knew you would end up at least renewing your PC.

[@routercnc9517]

Yes ! A project to find a new pc and get the software working and talking to the controller system which is also a project to get the CNC machine working which in turn is needed to finish the drill press project so I can drill holes in future projects. Oh and I guess filming it is also a project . . .it’s projects all the way down !

[@sbooder]

“If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe”. (Carl Sagan)

[@routercnc9517]

True !