Optimum MB4 CNC conversion Part 1

Part 1 of the build series for the conversion of my Optimum MB4 milling machine to CNC. The finished machine has closed-loop NEMA34 servos, 25mm ballscrews with double nuts, and an optional 24'000 RPM spindle.
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[@dirk4463]

Top Video 👍🏻 Super erklärt 👍🏻 Ich freue mich auf Teil 2

[@adriancollins]

Looks great, when will part 2 be available?

[@Ryan-dz3jo]

At 7:37, please note that depending on geometry ballscrews back drive so might be a good choice for a manual machine. Keep up the good work.

[@boruvka52]

Thank,you for great video,and sharing all the documentation! I'm as well about to buy the Optimum MB4, but i want to using it both- CNC and manual to. Have you planing part 2 soon?Bob

[@MillVIPCNC]

Good job!! Great machine!

[@wulff64]

Great video. Hope to buy one soon. And part 2?

[@seabreezecoffeeroasters7994]

Nice work 😀If you could what are your thoughts a few years later on the 12Nm Z motor being enough power? I am planning a conversion and considering some sort of weight or gas lift to help or even a NEMA 42.

[@juhavuorinen3945]

Do you have problem with z-aksis backslahs?? I have, becouse spindebox first bendt and then it's move

[@Reburned32]

Hei,how about part 2? Whats happening in your life?

[@horiavilceanu2153]

Hello; good work, congrats ! MB 4 is probably the most solid desktop mill before stepping up to a knee mill. If you run the dial indicator on the table, what is the flatness accuracy ? Obviously small local deviations due to surface roughness should be discarded.

Hi, after my tests i measured a deviation of ~0.01-0.02mm along all the X axis.

[@paulmanhart4481]

Do you know anyone that does this conversation for a price?

[@feelthegame2286]

hello. i want to buy a optimum MB4 mill, however i have read that the motor is 400v 3ph, it is delta or star configuration??? because in my house i have 1 phase 230v and my doubt is if i could use a VFD for running the motor.

[@codemakeshare]

I'm not sure if it's delta or star, will have to check. Also note that the switch box has two motor speed settings - I think it's done with two different windings on the motor, or maybe reconfiguring the phases. In any case, I'm actually running my mill off a VFD off a single-phase 230V. It works well, although it might have a little bit less torque than on a proper 3-phase. I only noticed it when running it at full speed (3200 RPM).

[@feelthegame2286]

@@codemakeshare HI ty for the answer. The output of your vfd its 230v 3ph or 400v 3ph

@@feelthegame2286 The MB4 motor is a dahlander motor, also know as dual speed motor. Have 2 windings per pole, that can be confirurated to active poles or consequent poles, ir order to allow the motor to have p.e, 2 poles or 4. What results in two possible speeds, 1400 or 2800rpm. In both configurations the motor is connected to a 400V line-line grid.

[@Iceteavanill]

How expensive were all the parts you used and would you recommend this conversion now that you have done it?

[@codemakeshare]

I think it was around $1000 for the ballscrews, motors and motor drives. The mill was around $2700 new - so less than 4k total. I'm still very happy with the machine. Certainly the drive train with NEMA34 closed-loop steppers and double ballscrews is awesome (6000mm/min rapids, very precise). The MB4 is probably the most solid machine you can get new at this price, at least here in Europe. There are a few small quirks that could be better, e.g. I wish the Z-Axis would go a bit lower (lost a few centimeters in the conversion), and to get the full Y-axis travel it has to exceed the base. But in practice it's not a huge deal, and there are probably some similar quirks with any machine.

[@Iceteavanill]

@@codemakeshare What kind of accuracy did you get pre conversion and how good is it now or did you not really use it pre conversion?

[@patrickbeck4062]

What happened with this? Last video for nearly 3 years.

[@Patrick-tu8ft]

Hallo, steuerst Du den Motor per Hand oder ist dieser auch in die CNC Steuerung eingebunden? (z.B. Start/Stop über CNC) MfG

[@codemakeshare]

Ueber die CNC-Steuerung. Ich habe einen VFD, da ich keinen Drehstrom hatte. Spaeter habe ich dann auch eine 24k Spindel integriert (tauschbar), die 400Hz braucht. Mit VFD war es dann sehr einfach, ein Start/Stop Signal anzuschliessen. Geschwindigkeit ist aber manuell, nicht per GCode.

[@Patrick-tu8ft]

@@codemakeshare d.H. mit dem Frequenzumrichter schaltest du den originalen Motor nur ein und aus und die Drehzahl ist vorab mit den Einstellknöpfen vorgewählt? Ich verfolge deinen Umbau schon länger auf deinem Blog. Habe die selbe Maschine und bin schon lange am grübeln ob ich sie auch umbauen soll und ev. noch eine 4te und 5te Achse dazu... Kannst Du nach wie vor die Handräder benutzen oder blockieren die Motoren das manuelle kurbeln?

[@codemakeshare]

@@Patrick-tu8ft ja, nur ein und aus. Drehzahl ueber das Getriebe (mit der Originalspindel), da man so auch viel mehr Drehmoment bei niedrigen Drehzahlen bekommt. Die HF-Spindel hab ich meistens fest auf 24k RPM, aber der VFD hat auch einen kleinen Drehknopf vorne, wo man die Drehzahl verstellen kann wenn noetig. Hab leider momentan keine Zeit, neue Videos zu machen... hoffentlich irgendwann!

[@hobbyvideo4030]

@@codemakeshare dachte mir schon, dass eine Drehzahlsteuerung über Software leider nicht möglich sein wird. Ich überlege ob ich einfach ein Relais jeweils auf den Ein und Ausschalter anschließe. Denkst Du das könnte funktionieren?

[@codemakeshare]

@@hobbyvideo4030 Koennte gehen. Soweit ich mich erinnere, ist der Motor sowieso ueber interne Relais geschaltet, evtl. kann man die dann auch per Software schalten. Mit meinem VFD koennte ich schon die Drehzahl verstellen, z.b. ueber Analog-Eingang, oder per RS485. Fuer mich persoenlich sah ich aber nicht genug Nutzen, um da Zeit reinzustecken. Ich fraese fast nur Alu und Plastik mit voller Drehzahl. Ein/Aus ueber Software ist aber schon sehr nuetzlich, und z.B. auch Druckluft und Kuehlschmier (MQL) per Relais.

[@danielfigueiredo6700]

do you mind providing the drawing plans if possible, i am portuguese and i would like to do the same project you are doing on your MB4 optimum!

[@codemakeshare]

I have some information on my blog, codemakeshare.com

[@MrZhefish]

github.com/KurtJacobson/RF45-CNC/find/master for the ball screws, electronics etc.: cnc-robotica.com/ ask for 20-05 spindle, not the 20-10. The 5mm pitch is better imho for the resolution of the machine. free advice; use flange bearing seats and roller bearings. c7 spindle with P1 single nut: between 0.03-0.06 backlash on my mill. compensate in linuxcnc or mach3 accordingly. use gas springs to reduce the head weight don't skip the oiling channels, drill them and add pneumatic quick connectors everywhere. cnc operation sees more travel on all the axis than conventional :-) if you want to see a machine in action, drop me a line with your skype or email. saludos de bilbao

[@danielfigueiredo6700]

MrZhefish my e-mail for the vídeo [e-mail]

[@ikbendusan]

what spindle will you be using?

[@codemakeshare]

I'm using two spindles: the original stock spindle with the stock gearbox and motor goes from 80 RPM to 3200 RPM (good for big tools and tapping). I also made an adapter sleeve for a 1kW spindle with 24kRPM, which is great for aluminium milling with tools up to 6mm diameter.