New 750 mm X-Carve small CNC

[Stone Message]

Hi Everyone

About 6 months ago Inventables sent me one of their new 750 mm X-Carve machines. I have now completed the series of videos showing assembly, wiring, electronics and commissioning. They have a special deal going over the Black Friday period with a $100 discount and free shipping world wide.

We have teamed up to create a simple competition for any existing owners or users of Easel.

Inventables are really pleased with my work. This was not discussed when I created the video series but they are now providing me with some modest sponsorship linked to any sales that come from anyone visiting their site via this link:

[attachimg=1]
https://www.inventables.com/technologies/x-carve?ref=NewBritWorkshop

For this reason I have created this thread in the Sales and Dealer area. I have provided full disclosure of my relationship with Inventables. I think that they are really kind as I have been very critical of their home grown Easel CAD/CAM application. I knew nothing of their intentions when I did the work on the videos.

Here are the videos:

Assembly Part 1:

Assembly Part 2:

Assembly Part 3:

Assembly Part 4:

Wiring:

X Controller:

Initial Testing:

Dust Boot Fitting:

Commissioning:

Easel Competition:

Peter

 

[bobfog]

Peter,

I am in the market for a CNC, I was keen on the 1000mm version, but there seem to be universal reports that all X-Carve machines suffer from belt slip given they only use 6mm belts, instead of 9mm like the bigger Shapoko machines from Carbide3D, for example. Even if the belts are appropriately tightened and periodically adjusted it seems that the 6mm belts just aren’t up to the task, according to feedback/reviews.

How have you got on in terms of belt slip with your original X-Carve machine and this new one?

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Bob,

The only time that I had any belt slip was with the original machine during setup and it was reported in this video....


take a look at about the 8 minute point....

I had over tightened the adjustable pulley tensioners on the Y axis and so I had some slippage. I corrected it then and there and did not have any other issues with belting with that original 1000 mm machine.

When I set up the new 750 mm machine I was completely happy about the assembly process as I had had the experience with the previous machine. There have been no issues with belting on this machine at all and I do not anticipate any. I have reported every single issue as I went a long and there are absolutely no show stoppers and the niggles are quite minor.

This new machine is a lot more accurate than the original and I have done a lot of useful stuff with it already.

Peter

 

[bnaboatbuilder]

Peter,

I look forward to going through all the videos soon. I ordered a 1000mm X-carve a few days ago with the current deal.

I'm curious why you said that the 750mm you have now is more accurate than the 1000mm one. I know the X-carve went through a version change end of 2016 with the new x-controller unit but have there also been other improvements too?

 

[Svar]

I'm curious why you said that the 750mm you have now is more accurate than the 1000mm one.

Given that they use the same profiles for both, shorter 750 mm beam will be stiffer.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Peter,

I look forward to going through all the videos soon. I ordered a 1000mm X-carve a few days ago with the current deal.

I'm curious why you said that the 750mm you have now is more accurate than the 1000mm one. I know the X-carve went through a version change end of 2016 with the new x-controller unit but have there also been other improvements too?

I'm curious where you got that impression? In another thread?

 

[Stone Message]

The new X-Carve line up has a number of improvements. The gantry is a new design and is stiffer - it was a failing of the old machine and had many looking at DIY ways of improving it. The smaller the machine the more accurate (due to even better stiffness of the gantry) it will be. So even with machines from the new improved line up the 750 mm will be better than the 1000 mm one.

The results that I am getting are really good but you need to watch my videos to see how easy it is to achieve this - many will not take the care that I have done to fine tune the assembly through the build process.

Peter

 

[Michael Kellough]

Is this system able to mill aluminum? If so, what thickness?

 

[bnaboatbuilder]

Yes aluminum, wood, brass, plastics. Thickness of aluminum is dictated by taking many passes to get through the thickness. Peter would have more detailed info. I'm going off what the user forum shows people are making.

I like the Shaper Origin but for less and to practice getting into CNC, an X-Carve will suit me for a while. Then I can add to it or grow to another machine in the future.

Is this system able to mill aluminum? If so, what thickness?

 

[Stone Message]

I have seen aluminium being milled and it is quite straight forward. As said above, you just set the pass depth and feed rate suitable for the material. I do intend showing non ferrous milling once I find a job that needs something milled from metal.

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

The Inventables Black Friday and Cyber Monday set of deals ends today at 11.59 pm Chicago time - which is about 6 am tomorrow UK time.


Peter