About me I've been a computer programmer since I first started typing in program listings on a Commodore Vic 20 when I was about 8. My hobbies include electronics, CNC manufacturing, photography, beer and winemaking.
I live with my wife and lots of left-over parts from unfinished projects in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA.]
Blog
20 August 2009, 22:48 UTCZenbot 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 UTCZenbot 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 UTCNew 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 UTCZenbot: 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 UTCZenbot 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 UTCZenbot 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 UTCZenbot 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 UTCZenbot 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 UTCSecond evening with the Zenbot
28 August 2007, 22:03 UTCZenbot Mini CNC Router
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.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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!
Zenbot Tool Length Sensor
Chris was kind enough to help me make an angle bracket to mount a tool length sensor.
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.
Second evening with the Zenbot
Zenbot Mini CNC Router
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