That’s interesting Dan … and makes me wonder if we shouldn’t create our own version, though I am sure we could never meet their prices (else the Shapeoko would probably have gone that way). But still it’s interesting to ponder what it would take to create a 3040 or some other open source RIGID system.
@Kevin_Hauser The unit John picked up seems pretty solid for mass-produced Chinese models. A lot of the highlights John liked about it (ball screws, included tool probe, NEMA23s) for that price make it a great deal from what I recall a year ago. The 4- and 5-axis Chinese units also look interesting, but I found the software to drive it made it uneconomical for me; best guess was it added another 50%, at least.
That’s why having TinyG and ChiliPeppr as an alternate toolchain to Mach3 is a game-changer for these Chinese units. It changes the cost drastically. I did go for the nicer design. I steered clear of the units that looked shoddy.
@jlauer did you mention from whom you purchased this?
Yoocnc
@jlauer Have you looked at enabling spindle control? I noticed the PWM Input on the controller board and did a bit of googling and came across this: http://www.cnczone.com/forums/pcb-milling/241512-cnc-software-3.html (the last post on the page… it won’t let me direct link to the post for some reason)
Seems like it should be relatively easy to get spindle on/off working, and maybe with the TinyG PWM control too?
Also, where did you mount your limit switches, and what kind did you use? I was using rocker switches… I tried epoxy to attach them, but had a crash due to bad wiring and smashed one of them all to bits… I saw another modified 3040 with holes drilled into the sides and non contact proximity sensors screwed in from outside, but those required some heft power (6v min, and had a 3rd signal pin…)
I still never added limit switches. I’ve been generally ok. I’ve hit into the side a few times but nothing bad happened.
With respect to the spindle, there is a post by a user named Johnny where I think he figured out the PWM spindle stuff with the TinyG and 3020/3040 controller: