20 August 2009, 22:48 UTC
After weeks of not touching zenbot, I finally milled some circuit boards. Of course, they were for the zenbot itself.
Zenbot is back in business
After weeks of not touching zenbot, I finally milled some circuit boards. Of course, they were for the zenbot itself.
22 June 2009, 1:41 UTC
After some tiny little problems with ruined stepper drivers that I don't care to talk about, I kept moping on IRC until Sam found me these pittman dc servos and I ordered some, intending on upgrading the zenbot to servos.
Zenbot upgrades
After some tiny little problems with ruined stepper drivers that I don't care to talk about, I kept moping on IRC until Sam found me these pittman dc servos and I ordered some, intending on upgrading the zenbot to servos.
20 September 2008, 21:58 UTC
At Chris's suggestion, I bought new acme leadscrews and dumpstercnc anti-backlash leadnuts. This was to replace the old triangular leadscrews and brass nuts, which measured huge backlash, .010" or more on X. This was due at least in part to wear on the nuts: fine brass dust was visible around the leadnuts after I ran a stall test of 1000 inches or so at 1.5ips; I had earlier measured the backlash as only about .005".
New screws and nuts for the zenbot
At Chris's suggestion, I bought new acme leadscrews and dumpstercnc anti-backlash leadnuts. This was to replace the old triangular leadscrews and brass nuts, which measured huge backlash, .010" or more on X. This was due at least in part to wear on the nuts: fine brass dust was visible around the leadnuts after I ran a stall test of 1000 inches or so at 1.5ips; I had earlier measured the backlash as only about .005".
26 August 2008, 1:46 UTC
Another day, another circuit board. I'm getting to the point of thinking that with all my enhancements to the Zenbot it is becoming pretty reliable at making milled circuit boards.
Zenbot: more success milling circuit boards
Another day, another circuit board. I'm getting to the point of thinking that with all my enhancements to the Zenbot it is becoming pretty reliable at making milled circuit boards.
16 August 2008, 22:53 UTC
I bought the Wolfgang Engineering Triple Bearing spindle off ebay. The seller, Richard Stethem, apparently custom builds each one. The customized spindle mount was exactly to my specifications and mounted on the Zenbot without fuss. Having milled one tiny board on it, I have to say that the difference between this and the Dremel 300 is night and day, with the TB Spindle playing the part of Day.
Zenbot with Wolfgang Engineering "TB" Spindle
I bought the Wolfgang Engineering Triple Bearing spindle off ebay. The seller, Richard Stethem, apparently custom builds each one. The customized spindle mount was exactly to my specifications and mounted on the Zenbot without fuss. Having milled one tiny board on it, I have to say that the difference between this and the Dremel 300 is night and day, with the TB Spindle playing the part of Day.
6 August 2008, 1:29 UTC
Last week I added X and Y home switches to the zenbot. Here are some photos. I need to better organize all those wires!
Zenbot gets home switches
Last week I added X and Y home switches to the zenbot. Here are some photos. I need to better organize all those wires!
17 July 2008, 3:15 UTC
Chris was kind enough to help me make an angle bracket to mount a tool length sensor.
Zenbot Tool Length Sensor
Chris was kind enough to help me make an angle bracket to mount a tool length sensor.
4 July 2008, 16:49 UTC
Nearly a year ago, I got an inexpensive CNC router off ebay. It is constructed from HDPE, and the original table was made from wood. Unfortunately, I found that the table was not flat enough for milling circuit boards. With a few upgrades, though, I've made a usable circuit board and have good hopes for the machine's usefulness in the future.
Zenbot Lives
Nearly a year ago, I got an inexpensive CNC router off ebay. It is constructed from HDPE, and the original table was made from wood. Unfortunately, I found that the table was not flat enough for milling circuit boards. With a few upgrades, though, I've made a usable circuit board and have good hopes for the machine's usefulness in the future.
30 August 2007, 2:37 UTC
Second evening with the Zenbot
28 August 2007, 22:03 UTC
Zenbot Mini CNC Router
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