OX CNC Router Upgrade to 1000×750 with a 32-bit Controller

Upgrading my 750x500mm OX CNC router to a bigger size was something I had been considering for a while. The 8-bit microcontroller worked fine, but I wanted to use auto-squaring of the gantry. This required grblHAL with a 32-bit controller. The longer aluminium extrusions were purchased from Ooznest, who I originally supplied the machine in 2015.

As well as CNC routing I use the needle cutter attachment to cut out park jet plans. I showed how to do this in this post How to cut foam with a CNC needle cutter. It works great, but my frame was a bit small, so I had to dissect the plans to fit.

The upgrade would allow me to cut most park jet plans without extra dissection in my CAD software. I also upgraded the controller to an MKS Tinybee using the ESP32 processor running grblHAL. The needle cutter uses a radio-controlled ESC with a brushless motor and a digital servo tester to set the speed of the needle.

I had to rewire the machine because of the bigger size and order some longer drag chains.

New extrusion to make the frame bigger
1000x750mm frame built and squared.

The upgrade is complete, showing the Needle Cutter attached with some test cuts in 6mm depron. The MKS Tinybee is running grblHAL firmware. The Y axis has two stepper motors and 2 limit switches, which can auto-square while homing.

OX 1000x750 upgrade
1000×750 Frame Needle cutter attached

The MKS Tinybee is connected to 4 TB6560 drivers, which I used on the MKS Gen L V1.0 before the upgrade. I’m running ioSender now. Previously, I used OpenBuilds Control, which works well ioSender has a better interface for the settings, in my opinion

MKS TinyBee with TB6560 drivers

First CNC Job – the RCPowers F18 Depron ParkJet

The first project cut on the upgraded CNC is the F18 V5 from RCPowers. The g-code was generated by my CAD software from a DXF file created with Affinity Designer. I didn’t use OpenBuilds CAM this time because splines in the DXF aren’t supported.

The original plan is in PDF format, which Affinity Designer can import. The latest release now supports exporting to DXF and DWG. You can also use Inkscape to convert the file.

  • CNC Needle Cutter cutting 6mm depron
    Needle Cutter in action
  • F18 depron wings cut by CNC Needle Cutter
    F18 depron wings
  • F18 depron parts from RCPowers V5 plan cut with CNC Needle Cutter
    F18 parts cut on the Needle Cutter
  • f18 rcpowers jolly roger livery
    US Navy decals

SenderIO

I didn’t use OpenBuilds Control either because I found that grblHAL settings are better supported in SenderIO.
There are other software packages to run the CNC Router, such as UGS and CNCj,s which will work fine, but for me, SenderIO is what I know best.

Spindle Upgrade

The Katsu Palm router works great, but it’s very loud. I have to wear ear defenders, especially when the dust collector is working. So I have purchased a Daedalus CNC Spindle Motor Kit, 500W, ER16, Brushed. This will give me more router bit options using the ER16 collect system. The Noise level is a lot lower now.

I’m going to try using this to cut depron as well as the needle cutter. The needle cutter works great but is quite slow, so I will try using a 2mm end mill for the next project.

Future projects for the upgraded OX CNC

Now I’ve completed the F18, I have several more RC aeroplanes to make using the attached needle cutter and router. I will try milling a BAE Hawk foam fuselage with a long 6mm end mill. I’ll then make the wings with the foam cutter

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