LinuxCNC on an old Dell D430 with a dock

http://www.10k3d.com/2015/06/my-journey-into-world-of-cnc-machining_22.html

''
sudo apt-get install git-core
sudo apt-get install libpci-dev
git clone git://git.kiszka.org/smictrl.git && cd smictrl
git clone git://github.com/zultron/smictrl-deb.git debian
fakeroot dpkg-buildpackage -uc -us
sudo dpkg -i ../smictrl_*.deb
sudo sed -i '/exit 0/ismictrl -s 0' /etc/rc.local
sudo reboot
''

Adding bCNC to the laptop:
''
git clone https://github.com/vlachoudis/bCNC.git
''

Recycling CD cases

For years I ditched CD cases, but, interestingly, I eventually found some use for them in the last two days. I start regretting the many I should have kept...

CD case as material for an engraved logo. I really did not expect it to produce such a nice result.
Light coming from aside gets scattered by the scratches (I should try adding SMT leds sideways).
The trick was to move quickly, to avoid melting the polycarbonate.

And used as for the bottom protection of a Smoothieboard (which drives the aforementioned CNC mill)
CD cases do break too easily, but they are very convenient as they leave the signal names clearly readable.

Broken bits - CNC isolation milling and V-cutters

I buy inexpensive V-cutters for milling printed circuit boards (and recently switched to 20°, sharper ones). Often, the very end of the cutter breaks on the first contact with the copper layer (it is just so delicate). Usually I have either to compensate for the missing Z depth manually, or restart the job... else it will not carve enough and will not go through the copper layer.

From now on I think I will break the tip of the V-shaped mill bit myself before using one! Why?

V-cutter for milling PCB: pristine, slightly damaged and obviously broken. But the last one is my choice!

Review: tiny Arduino Nano-based CNC shield

"Keyes_CNC" Arduino Nano shield for 4 axes CNC machines

The Keyes_CNC controller embarks an Arduino Nano

This little board is an "inverse" shield, on which an Arduino Nano must be plugged to provide functionality. It offers the same functionality as a regular Arduino Uno or Duemilanove CNC shield, with the same power.

But the result is both extremely compact and cheap: less than 7€ for the naked shield (or here), and about 22€/$25 for a complete setup: the shield plus an Arduino Nano and basic Pololu stepper drivers (here or there if you want ebay -- but the latter seems to be a reseller). And for once, it seems to come from a Chinese seller who designs and makes its own boards, which I tend to like.


Add a few Dupont wires (well, Jump wire is the generic name) and you are ready to go!
Fifteen years ago it would have cost thousands of euros!