New CNC setup help

[mcmec]

Hi all I'm very new to CNC, not even got one yet just doing the research.

I'm thinking of buying a CNC mechanical Kit (Workbee 1500x1500).

I have been asking a lot of questions on other forums and the recommended system is coming up as maybe: UCCNC Software and a UC controller.

I have not done an awful lot of research but it seems like a fairly good option over Mach3.

I do woodwork for a living and hope to maybe use a CNC router in some way to help with my woodwork.

I'm thinking maybe start with a Workbee mechanical kit and add the electrics myself.

1. So my first question is if I selected say: Closed loop nema 23 Stepper motors 3.0Nm with HBS57H Drivers, would this be a fairly safe option with UCCNC Software?

2. Which Controller (combined controller option) would be a good option for use with the above.

I don't expect I'd stay with the Workbee mechanical framework forever but think it could be a budget friendly starting point. I'm thinking I could take the electrical components and maybe use them on an upgrade further down the line.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Mark

[ger21]

1) Any stepper motors will work fine with UCCNC.
Personally, I don't think closed loop steppers are worth the extra money. If you try to go faster than they are capable of, they will fault. An open loop steper will stall or lose steps. So both need to be run within their usable range.

2) It's hard to beat the AXBB-E for what it offers.


If you're any type of serious woodworker, you'll probably quickly outgrow the WorkBee, or any of those types of machines. They are all very lightweight hobby machines, that are not very rigid, and have a lot of flex.

[mcmec]

1) Any stepper motors will work fine with UCCNC.
Personally, I don't think closed loop steppers are worth the extra money. If you try to go faster than they are capable of, they will fault. An open loop steper will stall or lose steps. So both need to be run within their usable range.

2) It's hard to beat the AXBB-E for what it offers.


If you're any type of serious woodworker, you'll probably quickly outgrow the WorkBee, or any of those types of machines. They are all very lightweight hobby machines, that are not very rigid, and have a lot of flex.

Thank you for the reply ger21,

I have looked at several CNC machines and quite agree that the Workbee seems more hobby related than anything else. I was thinking that as they are very popular with hobby users I may recoup a fair percentage of my initial outlay if I re-sold the mechanical kit (at a later date) with say a Arduino UNO and some lighter electrics more suited to hobby use. That way I'd start off using and learning a system that has fairly competent Software (UCCNC) and Controller (UC Controller) that I could use to migrate to a more substantial build at a later date.

I'm only guessing but I think I might get the workbee mechanical kit (China) and upgraded electrics (China) and add the UCCNC Software and Controller for around £1800. If I bought a WorkBee from Onznest it could cost me around £1800 for a complete kit but with lesser software and lesser electrical kit to start with. I have been pondering the options for a while now, I'm not saying my choice of a WorkBee mechanical kit does not deserve some criticism nore electrics from China either but it hard to justify spending £££££ when I don't know what direction things will take.

I'm just going to update this by saying after some investigation maybe I'll use open loop stepper motors after all! Some people seem to have trouble with the Hybrid Steppers and Driver configuration!