I made some new updates to my machine, so I have to show it off. Those are the rules, right!?
To start off, I moved the electronics down to a new offset side-plate. It’s spaced out from the existing Y-plate with 2.5" 3D printed spacers and 1/4-20 bolts. Also, I added a fancy new switch panel — now I just need to remember where I put those launch codes…
The switches are as follows:
- System power. Also serves as an e-stop.
- Spindle (trigger interrupt).
- Laser (trigger interrupt).
The laser and spindle triggers are connected to the fan header for M106/M107 operation. With the new switches, I can independently control which trigger leads are active without having to swap connectors or unplug anything when changing tools.
Also, I upgraded to the StepperOnline 92oz High Torque Nema 17 Motors all around. While the added power is certainly a bonus, the biggest gain in my book is that they don’t get hot — barely even warm. Sometimes, when I’m in the middle of a project, I like to leave the machine powered up overnight (not running) simply so I don’t have to re-zero everything the next day. This adds peace of mind in that nothing is going to burn up, as the old steppers were too hot for my comfort.
Just a note, these steppers are significantly taller and require a larger Y-plate opening. Plus, they do NOT come with 4-pin connectors and must be wired appropriately.
I also added some new parts trays for quick access to screws, collets, bits, and such. I scaled them down a bit from the original to perfectly fit my cable cover.
And finally, I made a new “cable-saver” tower to prevent my X-axis stepper lead from getting eaten again, plus it serves as a home for the laser trigger cable when the device is not hooked up. You’re welcome to steal the design, but you’ll almost certainly need to modify the clips as appropriate to your application.
I think that’s all for now. Thanks for looking!