Archive for category News
If you are seeing this…
…then you are looking at our new domain. Not only that, but you are seeing our new server and everything. Congrats!
Motors and Controllers
The power supply unit (PSU) for our controller arrived today, so we thought we would give our readers a look at all the parts we’ve bought for our controller so far. Our PSU is an 56 volt, 18 amp, 800 watt unit from Antek which is oddly not the same as the more commonly known PC power and case manufacturer Antec. We really enjoyed ordering from them, because we called them and got a real human immediately who answered all of our questions. You can take a look at the power supplies they offer here: http://www.antekinc.com/ps.html
Our controllers are Gecko 203V “Vampire Drives” avaialble at http://www.geckodrive.com/product.aspx?c=3&i=14460 Apparently, they’re called the “Vampires” since they’re unkillable. These guys sent us a little beanbag gecko with our order which was nice enough to pose in various pictures.
Finally, our motors are the 425 oz HobbyCNC models: http://www.hobbycnc.com/products/stepper-motors/
We ordered a megaton of various other parts that should be arriving later this week. Until then, here are the various shots of the controller components that have arrived:
Adding additional capabilities to our mill
I’ve come across a bunch of custom bits for our CNC mill recently. A webstore called Widget Works Unlimited: http://www.widgetworksunlimited.com/default.asp sells some really cool gear for CNC mills.
Plotter Pen Bit: http://www.widgetworksunlimited.com/CNC_Plotter_Pen_Bit_p/cnc-pltr_pen_thin.htm
This bit should turn our CNC mill into a giant plotting machine.
Diamond Drag Engraving Bit: http://www.widgetworksunlimited.com/CNC_Diamond_Drag_Engraving_Bit_p/cnc-dmnd_engrv.htm
Ever wanted to engrave on plastics, brass, aluminum, steel, glass, and granite, with industrial grade diamonds for $180? I know I sure have. Apparently it also cuts and scores glass adding another material we can work with, at least in 2D.
My next business cards are going to be SO COOL. Take that Ted!
Sign Vinyl Drag Knife Bit http://www.widgetworksunlimited.com/CNC_Sign_Vinyl_Drag_Knife_Bit_p/cnc-vinyl_knife.htm
I think my local Kinkos and other sign places just lost a lot of business. The $150 price is a little high, but I assume it will be worth it.
Made In America
Chinese characters for "Made in America"
We haven’t decided what to name our mill yet, or even if we’re naming it, but I’ve definitely decided on what our first cut will be. I’ve attached the Chinese characters for “Made in America” above. We’re going to cut these into some nice wood and affix them to the front of our mill. I’m not a protectionist by any means, but I do believe we are going to enter an era of mass customization where a lot of products are built to fit your needs, not built in bulk in some factory and shipped halfway across the world. Mass production will probably always be cheaper for most products, but you can’t mass produce a products built to your specifications and your needs. I thought slapping this logo on our mill would be a great way to showcase this new ethos. (Thanks to my buddy David’s uncle Pete for writing these out and emailing me. David, you and your uncle Pete rock!)
Welcome to our CNC mill build log!
Since we are building a mill and the mill is in my garage in Las Colinas, we decided to go for a simple blog URL (LasColinasCNC). We are very creative. 
So for a quick introduction of who is involved in this project:
Wayne – He is kindly funding the bulk of the project and is an all-purpose helper along the way.
Brian – I am making this post and as it happens, the mill. I am providing the tools required to build the mill as well as a good portion of the labor and know-how to do the assembly and design.
Justin – Our photographer who is also very helpful when we need another pair of hands. You will be able to tell the pictures he took versus the pictures I took (hint: his won’t suck like mine).
Sean – If you read his comment below: “I am providing the side commentary, distractions, and culinary creations.” And we all agree he is one hell of a cook. And while his comment ignores it, he is also very helpful when we need another pair of hands.
Shaun – My brother who is also a great extra pair of hands that wants to use the mill to make all kinds of contraptions. 
Joe – We are using Joe’s plans, so I figured I would give him a name-drop and a link to his site (http://www.joescnc.com/).
That’s all for now, but enjoy the blog as we make updates as often as possible with our progress and pictures!
-Brian