Think the 80/20 rule has come into play with this build ? for those unfamiliar with this rule, it is said that the first 80% of the build takes 20% of the time, then the last 20% of the build takes 80% of the time ? Feels like it dragging a bit, but determined to finish it today.
Wiring Continued
Yesterday I left the wiring after getting it through the first drag chain, now this morning I have got to build up an extension side board to hold the second drag chain and also the power supply with the control box.
The extension board came with the main components, something I had not expected, and was prepared to make my own, however as it's in I'll use it.
Construction of the extension was very straightforward, very similar to the bed rails on the main bed.
The side extension is connected to the main waste board rails with a couple of angle brackets. With this in place we can now attach the 2nd drag chain and feed the wires through...
Tie wraps to the rescue again !
Next is to locate a suitable point to attach the lower part of the drag chain so that the wires can reach the controller...
The X Controller
The X Controller and power supply is in kit form, and again is fairly straightforward to assemble. The series of photos show the process...
All the bits ready for assembly...
Power supply and main printed circuit board
USB, emergency stop button and control buttons
Cooling fan and rear panel fitting... and finally in position.
With the X Controller now fixed to the extension board the final part of the wiring can be done. A simple process of following the wiring diagram to connect up all the motors and switches.
Again cable ties to the rescue !
Calibration, Set-up, and test carve
The last steps of the build are nearly all via the Internet, on the web based program called Easel.
It takes you through a series of questions and tests on the laptop, which in turn is connected the the X Controller via a USB lead.
It tests the movement of the 3 axis and homing switches.
The program also sets up the type of X Carve you have so certain parameters are set.
After all this it says ... "Ready to Carve" !
Easel has a "Test Carve" program, and after a few minutes going through it's "Wizard" I'm ready for a test carve...
A short video of the router CNC in action, Timber not the best, an off-cut of OSB but I needed to test the CNC on something ! ...
Summary
Build time today... 6 hrs
Total build time... 23 hrs
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