instructables

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.

by xxreef

I'd like to renew my cnc for PCB so I decide to create I'm going to update all in
new one from an existing project named Cyclone PCB https://www.mischianti.org/category/tutorial/cyclone-
Factory. You can nd the original project here. pcb-factory-how-to-build-it/

(I know I need to buy a good webcam)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkMjWg8Qza8

Step 1: History

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 1

I write an In st ruc t a b le a b o ut M illin PCB wit h I change some part like Z Axis with new one to x a lot
my h o me ma d e CN C , and I continue to develop and of problem, new Herringbone gears to prevent noise
use board for personal use, but I'd like to get a more and precision problem, and electronic with new one
little CNC with some features like TTrack or probe to less expensive.
simplify the use.
Some part like stepper and smoth rod taken from old
I also refer to my other Instructables to explain the printers.
use of bluetooth pass-through serial interface to
control CNC wireless. I f yo u h a ve so me a d d it io n a l e xpe rie n c e o r
h a ve a b e t t e r so lut io n writ e a c o mme n t o r
I write a simple code for CNC shiled to calculate d ire c t ly t o me , so I c a n in t e gra t e yo u
step/mm, you can nd It here. so lut io n t o t h e b o a rd .

I explain my way to get It e ciently and more Next step is to add a simple display and some digital
comfortable, but this is the rst step, next I'd like to control and minimal wi remote.
do a board to resolve all the problem I nd and I
resolved now with various simple "service boards". But do all step by step.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ICSZzHa0yE

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 2

Step 2: Printing Parts: Original

First you need to printing the needed part, as I already say I rebuild some part to x problem or to get more
precision and less noise.

The base part to print from the original project is this:

Cycl_YfrontFrame.stlDownload
Cycl_rodFixer_x6.stl
Cycl_XleftFrame.stl
Cycl_XrightFrame.stl
Cycl_XYgearCover_x2.stl
Cycl_YbackFrame.stl
Cycl_Ycarriage_linearBearingHolder_x4.stl
Cycl_Ycarriage_nutHolder.stl
Cycl_Yfront_RodIdlers.stl

You can nd a variant here of left/right frame for little 3d printer.

(Download le from original site so you can get update)

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 3

 Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FUQ/A931/JI0JQ68Q/FUQA931JI0JQ68Q.stl
…

Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FMQ/1V9Y/JI0JQ68S/FMQ1V9YJI0JQ68S.stl
…

Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F4T/ERWR/JI0JQ68U/F4TERWRJI0JQ68U.stl
…

Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F37/SUO5/JI0JQ68V/F37SUO5JI0JQ68V.stl
…

Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FQP/QISN/JI0JQ69I/FQPQISNJI0JQ69I.stl
…

Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F2X/F486/JI0JQ69C/F2XF486JI0JQ69C.stl
…

Step 3: Printed Parts: TTrack and PCB Holder

To hold the PCB you can use a TTrack, It's very usefully.

T-Track base can be found here.

(Download le from original site so you can get update)

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 4

Step 4: Printed Parts: Z Axis

I completely redo the Z axis to prevent movement and other problem.

You can nd project here.

(Download le from original site so you can get update)

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 5

Step 5: Printed Parts: Herringbone Gears

I redo the gears also to be more e cient and with less noise.

You can nd project here.

(Download le from original site so you can get update)

Step 6: Cutted Parts: Base and Workbed

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 6

In the original project there are various le formats of Exist design to create a printable version, of the base
this elements, PDF, images or le to lasercut. and workbed.

I printed pdf version and reproduce it on a plexiglas (Download le from original site so you can get update)
sheet.

Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FKE/KU0M/JI0JQ60N/FKEKU0MJI0JQ60N.pdf
…

Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F2L/WVIP/JI0JQ62I/F2LWVIPJI0JQ62I.pdf
…

Step 7: Parts: Shopping List

You can nd a complete shopping list in the o cial some M8 smoth rods (I get It from old printer and cut
site. when I assembled rst part);

Remember to take personalized parts also. M8 Nuts and M8 Blocked Nuts;

Wait for electronic part, we are going to do something some M8 and M3 washer;
alternative in the next pages.
For the 3 Nema17, to prevent deformation of PLA or
T he rs t ne e de d pa rt is ABS or PETG material I advise Ne m a 17 da m pe r and
my gears with 3 M 3 nut a nd 3 g ra in to x It;
M3 screw;

M8 threaded rods (3Meter);

1
1

1. Nema 17 damper 1. Triple screw and grain to block on shaft

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 7

Step 8: Parts: Assembly

As already mentioned to assembly all part refer to the wiki of Cyclone PCB, but for z axis refer to thingiverse
project..

Assembly X.
Assembly Y.
Assembly Z.

Step 9: Electronic: Introduction

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 8

For electronic I'd like to use Arduino with CNC Schield instructables It must be an serial pass-through
v3 (with 3 stepper driver), It's open and cheap. module, not BLE one.

I take 3 mechanical end stop switch as described in A relay module, a mosfet for additional/future use, 4
the original project (the third one is for Z axis). buttons, 2n2222a transistor and some capacitor.

3 stepper nema 17 (form factor is important to t on Wire, some dupont (male and female), 2 crocodile clip.
printed part), if you have some old printer at home
now It's the moment to disassemble It. A power supply, 12v 10A It's su cient.

A bluetooth module like ones described in this

Step 10: Electronic: CNC Shield

You can nd this CNC Shield at low cost (eBay). problem with micro-usb arduino, but no problem with
"standard" arduino USB port (even if It was CH340G).
This is a shield for Arduino UNO, but some Arduino
have problem with serial communication with grbl For this project is preferable to remove all jumper on
program, in particular some CH340G usb serial shield because threaded rod work as demultiplexer
connection doesn't work. then with divider became to slow.

M y pe rs o na l e xpe rie nce I ha v e ha d s o m e

2
1
4

1. Jumper to demultiplex stepper rotation

2. Jumper to demultiplex stepper rotation
3. Jumper to demultiplex stepper rotation
4. Jumper to demultiplex stepper rotation

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 9

Step 11: Electronic: Mechanical Limit Switch

The printed part expect the limit switch in the photo, To pre ve n t my a d d it io n a l n o ise I a d d (a s yo u
and It's a good choose to prevent part of noise. c a n se e in t h e pic t ure ) a n a d d it io n a l
c a pa c it o r 473 n e a r t h e c o n t ro lle r, if yo u
In the last image grab from shapeoko forum, you can wa n t , yo u c a n a d d I t d ire c t ly t o t h e wire o r
see that noise reduction schema is quite similar to the c re a t e a n a d d it io n a l se rvic e b o a rd , yo u
schema of mechanical switch module, but there is a must c o n n e c t b lue (o r gre e n ) a n d b la c k wire
problem, the capacitor is near switch not near pin. o f t h e swit c h .

Original guide to remove noise.

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 10

 1

1. Capacito on wire

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 11

Step 12: Electronic: Relay Module

I'd like to use dremel like splindle, It's the more cheap service board with an 2n2222a transitor and 1K
solution, you can get 160w dremel like for 20€. resistor to power relay and a led also, It take in input
(from top to botton at the left of image) GND, signal
It's powerful and fast, but to control high voltage you (spindle enable pin), and 5v VCC, and result in GND
must use relay. (activated from signal) and VCC for various operation.
Fritzing schema is available.
A re la y mo d ule wa n t a lo t o f po we r (40 mh a
is t h e limit o f a rd uin o pin s) so I c re a t e a

Step 13: Electronic: Power Supply

The choice of power supply depend on various factor deformation of printed part. 12v can power arduino
like the current and voltage of stepper. board without volts reduction.

But if you must buy new stepper and power supply I get a little 10amp power supply and insert It in a
the solutionis are low voltage and amperage stepper case of red power supply of mini Itx desktop case.
with 12v 10amp (or less) power supply. Low voltage
stepper grant low working temperature and prevent

Step 14: Electronic: Wiring

Remember the schema of wiring connection must be integrated with service board that I create to prevent all the problem I
encountered.

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 12

To connect all I use a dupont and Header pin, very versatile instrument.

Th e ma c h in e ge t a lo t o f vib ra t io n so wh e n yo u ma d e a l jun c t io n s a n d yo u t e st a ll, x a ll wit h

so me h o t glue .

3
7

2
4

1. Power suppli case, inside I insert a standard 10amp power supply, and I attach 220v ground to case to
prevent danger.
2. Service board to distribuite 12v power supply current.
3. Relay module to activare 220v power supply to splindle
4. Simple mosfet to activare 12v splindle or other.
5. 7812 voltage regulator for Arduino, I think my power supply is not stabilized
6. 7805 5v external power supply
7. Bluetooth
8. 220v power switch

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 13

 1

1. Male female pins

Step 15: Electronic: Wiring, Buttons and Led

As described i connect all with dupont.

I add resistance directly to the led wire.

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 14

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 15
Step 16: Electronic: Wiring, Switch and Buttons

Mechanical switch is connected from internal to As a lre a d y writ e I h a d t o c re a t e a n

external as GND, SIGNAL, and you must add a service a d d it io n a l se rvic e b o a rd t o re d uc e n o ise
board to give VCC. n e a r t h e mic ro c o n t ro lle r, t h a t simply a d d a
c a pa c it o r 473 t o t h e GN D a n d SIGN A L o f
As you can see in the photo service board is simple limit swit c h ( B L UE a n d B L A CK wire ), a s yo u
prefored board that have 2x6pin (male-female) and c a n se e yo u c a n a d d I t d ire c t ly t o t h e wire .
3x6pin male, with this I add a pin with vcc to switch
and "expanded" VCC and GND for all other
component.

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 16

Step 17: Electronic: Bluetooth and Probe

Bluetooth is connected to RX-->RX, TX-->TX, GND-- reduce noise can generate error, but work correctly, a
>GND, VCC-->VCC, and STATE to internal pin of E-Stop schema of system to reduce noise is in the photo.
(correspond to Reset in the schema). For connection
and con guration of bluetooth module you can refer In my c a se t h e mo d ule spp-c h a ve a t ro ub le ,
to my guide here, the only di erence is that I remove a ft e r a b o ut a n h o ur o f wo rk I t 's go in g t o
capacitor to reset because It doesn't work, and I reuse d isc o n n e c t , so I b uy a n H C-0 5 ( ZS-0 40 ), t h is
the 2n2222 service board to activate a blue led from mo d ule wo rk c o rre c t ly fo r a lo n g t ime .
state to show If cnc is connected.

For voltage divider service board refer to bluetooth

instructable.
(You can nd service board schema here)
Connect probe to SDA and GRD (SDA is A5 pin).

Th e pro b e h e lpe r wit h o ut a se rvic e b o a rd t o

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 17

 2

1
2

4 3 5 1

1. 2n2222 1. GND
2. Blue led Signal
3. Bluetooth state pin VCC
And reset pin to CNC Schield (E-Stop) 2. To Alligator probe clip
4. GND
5. VCC from 7805 board

Step 18: Electronic: Wiring, Additional

I add a Mosfet for 12v external power activated with hot so you must add an heat sink.
splindle pin, the schema is very simple.
I use old CPU heat sink Where I made a hole and
I also add a 7812 as 12v votlage regulator to Arduino doimg a M3 thread.
and 7805 for 5v external power (5v used for bluetooth
and other module if It's necessary). (You can nd service board schema here)

Remember Mosfet and Voltage regulator can going

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 18

Step 19: Case

I use as enclousure an old ITX desktop case with red power supply, and the result is in the photo.

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 19

 1 2 3

4 5 7
6 8 9 10

1. Power led 1. Bipolar on/off button

2. Splindle enable led
3. Bluetooth connection led.
4. Probe
5. 5v power source
6. 12v power source
7. Reset
8. Stop
9. Pause
10. Play

1. Dupont junction, remove It too mutch noise

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 20

Step 20: Firmware: Upload

For the rmware I use a grbl from here.

In my particular situation I don't use a variable splindle so I made a fork of the project here ready to be uploaded as
normal ino scketch program (If you want you can import it as sloeber project also).

Step 21: Firmware: Configuration

<p>$0=10 (step pulse, usec)<br>$1=25 (step idle delay, msec)

$2=0 (step port invert mask:00000000)
$3=3 (dir port invert mask:00000110)
$4=0 (step enable invert, bool)
$5=0 (limit pins invert, bool)
$6=0 (probe pin invert, bool)
$10=1 (status report mask:00000011)
$11=0.010 (junction deviation, mm)
$12=0.002 (arc tolerance, mm)
$13=0 (report inches, bool)
Here you can find adjustment of movement.
$20=1 (soft limits, bool)
$21=1 (hard limits, bool)
$22=1 (homing cycle, bool)</p><p>$23=3 (homing dir invert mask:00000001)<br>$24=25.000 (homing feed, mm/min)
$25=500.000 (homing seek, mm/min)
$26=250 (homing debounce, msec)
$27=1.000 (homing pull-off, mm)
$30=1000 (Max spindle speed, RPM)
$31=0 (Min spindle speed, RPM)
$32=0 (Laser mode, boolean)
$120=10.000 (x accel, mm/sec^2)
$121=10.000 (y accel, mm/sec^2)
$122=10.000 (z accel, mm/sec^2)
$130=160.000 (x max travel, mm)
$131=96.000 (y max travel, mm)
$132=40.000 (z max travel, mm)</p>

Step 22: Test: Homing

Now start the homing test, I create a simple video, I use Universal Gcode Sender, but there are a lot of alternatives
like bCNC, Mach3 ecc..

https://youtu.be/AY5hSbRQ5Z4

Step 23: Test: Probe

Simple video of Probe testing.

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 21
 https://youtu.be/UgGIgR5YuZM

Step 24: Test: Autolevelling ChiliPeppr

Autolevelling feature not working on UGS so to test this features I use ChiliPeppr.

https://youtu.be/g8qDkEMEbI4

Step 25: Test: First File Sended

Test send le and mill an OSB table.

https://youtu.be/jIs1wBRGKFs

Step 26: Test: First Milling PCB With Noise Problem.. and Panic!!

I try to mill a PCB without a service board to reduce noise and in the video you can see what's happend.

Go to the rst minute of video (1:06).

https://youtu.be/z6zg1QzuGoE

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 22

Step 27: Test: Milling PCB (Puff!!)

First I need a vacuum cleaner :P

Here you can see Cyclone PCB at work.

Now work very good, and It's very precise.

https://youtu.be/0gJKWA657Sk

https://youtu.be/eWcThbs4KDY

https://youtu.be/DkMjWg8Qza8

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 23

Step 28: Test: Second Milling PCB, My Ciclop 3D Scanner Board

Finally I use the CNC to create a control board for my Ciclop 3d Scanner.

I'm moved, working on the rst shot. : D

I t rie d b CN C wit h a ut o le ve llin g, t h e re sult I t 's ve ry ve ry n e , I'm st a r t in g writ e a guid e t o

o b t a in t h a t re sult wit h b CN C.

https://youtu.be/S9gbZnefkSc

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 24

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 25
Step 29: Thanks

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 26

As a lre a d y sa id (wit h yo ur c o n t rib ut io n ) I My github: https://github.com/xreef
wo uld like t o c re a t e a b o a rd t h a t in c lud e s
a ll t h e xe s, if yo u h a ve a n y e xpe rie n c e s t o Where you can nd ready to upload grbl and a
sh a re , writ e me o r c o mme n t , so I c a n program to calculate step/mm, or service board
in t e gra t e yo ur impro ve me n t s. schema.

Recap of all link GitHub fritzing folder

https://github.com/xreef/grbl/tree/master/resource...
Original project:
https://github.com/CarlosGS/Cyclone-PCB-Factory Here the fritzing le.

Where you can nd a lot of usefully info and Bluetooth information:

shopping list. https://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-
Remotewireless-Programming-and-Test-With-H/
My thingiverse:
https://www.thingiverse.com/xxreef/designs How to program and wire bluetooth.

Where you can nd xed part and upgrade. Guide to milling PCB with ruoter:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Milling-PCB-easy-...
Grbl github: https://github.com/gnea/grbl
Some video: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?
Where you can nd arduino grbl rmware. list=PLOHujNnRvJ6...

Hi. How many steps do I have to modify for those gears Z?

Hello, I think it's a very, very, very interesting project, in fact I'm starting to print the pieces. What
I would like to know is if there is a possibility of using a 52mm
spindle and if so, if you know what support can be attached to it.
Thank you for your work
The Z axis had interchangeable holder, If I find some time I draw the 52mm holder, but in this
period I quite busy.
Bye
Thank you very much for your answer. a greeting

awesome! can you give the maximum size of pcb that this machine can create?

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 27

The maximun size is 10cm x 16cm , but with minimal improvement without altering the rigidiy you
can reach 20cm x 16cm.
Tthe only think you must do is put a longer rod and move the holder on Y axies, but so the machine
It's no more portable.
I use wireless and compact size to move It without problem.

Bye
Pure awesomeness mate. Incredible job.

Thanks for your support.

Thanks for sharing can you share schematics like this i'll try to build this

Hi,
When you open the fritzing file (https://github.com/xreef/grbl/tree/master/resources/fritzing) you can
switch to schema view, you must repositioning the elements only.
Bye
Thank You

VERY COMPLETE AND PROFESSIONAL.. GREAT JOB .... THANKS FOR SHARING....

Thanks, I think professional It's too :D

HuH? WOW!

CNC Cyclone PCB Factory, My Way, Step by Step.: Page 28