In this episode Shahriar reviews an ambitious new CNC machine currently offered on Kickstarter. The machine is equipped with automatic tool changer, automatic probing & leveling, built-in dust collection, optional fourth axis and integrated laser engrave module. The review of the pre-production model focuses on the units capabilities along with high-precision PCB experiments. You can access the Kickstarted campaign here:
This review is organized as follows:
00:00 – Introductions and expectations
01:22 – Machine overview, constriction, tablet holder, work area
03:23 – Automatic tool changer design & operation
04:30 – Automatic probing and leveling system
06:11 – Movement mechanism, precision & accuracy, built-in laser, z-axis
09:37 – Optional fourth axis module
10:23 – Included accessories, bit changer tool, collet tool
10:56 – Built-in dust collector
11:33 – CNC interface software, G-code, features & work flow
15:03 – High precision measurement of the x-axis accuracy & repeatability
17:34 – 3.5GHz filter design from Gerber to G-Code, CNC operation
21:18 – Filter PCB and high precision examples after CNC, microscope view
23:23 – Filter measurements & comparison with simulation
24:27 – Homemade oil-bath for FR4 CNC dust protection
24:56 – Manufacture example of PCB with solder-mask
25:38 – Laser engraving example of photo-realistic sample
26:32 – Automatic level & laser engraving of soft materials
27:55 – Conclusions & future plans
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Mine finally shipped! Can't wait to use it
THIS IS MESSY: Makera should make an upgraded version of this video and point to it prominently, by referencing it everywhere, ESPECIALLY on the Kickstarter main page at the top, so one can get the real structure of how the Carvera is driven!!! After wasting my time on dozens of stOOpid HYPE videos, I finally luck up on the only video I could have spent time on!!! so, I now think I may have more of my questions answered:
This is confusing since the explanation is not precise… left to interpretation.
Hard to decide in what order these assumption/questions should be stated… as some of them become moot once answer to another is given:
computer = tablet (hardware)
controller = Carvera's controller hardware
Carvera Interface = the still unnamed Makera/Carvera interface software runs on the computer.
!? = a question unless the assumption listed is correct.
UGS/G-code Sender ? = where is that step performed, by what module? is the Carvera Interface module the sender?
~ confusion you speak of GRBL files as if different than G-code ???
on other sites GRBL is shown as the Post-processor(driver?) that is set in the CAM software required to save the CAM format as G-code!? is GRBL(a parser) embedded into the G-code file? …with the G-code as its data? …thus the G-code is G-code + GRBL parser code?(firmware) …since the only file used as input by the sender is the G-code file once it is produced at the CAM!?
…and does that dataset no already include all the parameters, like tools paths, etc… or are some of the parameters still inserted in the set by the Sender? (Carevera's Interface module???) so no need for UGS/G-code Sender!?
– Can not the G-code be loaded to the Carvera's controller via a mem stick? no need for Sender?
…then press a button on the Carvera's controller and the job starts!
– The computer software(Carvera's Interface) accesses the Carvera controller's memory since we read the file from the internal controller's storage !?
files/jobs(G-code) from the computer storage are passed that to the controller's internal memory storage!?
how does the G-code land in the controller's memory!?
-what software module provides the toolpaths setup, and other needed parameters to be inserted in the G-code?
– Must a computer be always plugged in(wi-fi) to the controller!?
…so the trigger to start the job is a software one only(on the computer)!?
Once the file is loaded, all the parameters can be adjusted then a trigger actuated to start the job!? by what? how/where?
bit misleading to claim servos are more "accurate", this simply isnt true, servos, like closed loop steppers, are able to track their position, leading to no or less positional errors compared with traditional steppers.
Does ATC use air whilst changing tools, ie. what method does it use for the ATC
What software does this machine work with? Mach3/4?
This is a nice machine for the money. Did you use a backer material under the PCB when cutting it out from the panel?
Looks like a good build for people who want to mill soft aluminum and stay sane
16:00 1/1000 of a mm is…. 1 micrometer! But I am sure you knew that 🙂 I do understand you are in the land of silly fractions.
14:00 No D for tools. Wonder if it just defaults to D1 or if it only supports one offset for each tool?
Also no G54. Does it not support multiple origo. Or is it just assuming G54 if it's not included in the g-code?
Copper tape, Xacto knife versus CNC machine versus cheap PCB from China.
90% of this went way over my head but I loved every second of it. What an impressive machine
Thank you so much for this detailed review. I am one of the funding members and feel much better about my potential new machine. I hope it is as good as the prototype. And I will subscibe to your channel in hope of seeing your future product improvements on this machine!
Does the slow, low power 200 W spindle motor cause any problems? When even cheap $150 models come with 300 W motors this one seems woefully undersized! Also some users claim that speeds up to 24,000 RPM gives you faster cutting with less chatter while this one runs at only 15,000.
This repeatability is not so good. The machine would be more precise if they upgraded some things but clearly it is lacking. I have worked on very large CNC machines with 10 times better precision than this.
Would love to find out how it also works for panels (for enclosures) and custom RF enclosures. If it can do all that competently… I want one! But the kickstarter ends in 12 days! After that it'll be a lot pricier.
Cool tool 🙂 Leather is a bit of a worry as most modern Tanning processes use Chromium so play carefully with the Laser.
Congratulations on the 200th broadcast of TSP! Thank you very much for all the effort you always put in and for the very interesting contributions. I look forward to the upcoming 'signals'. Best regards.
What did your friend use to design the hairpin filter?
Is the Spindle reversible? And is the Spindle variable speed?
Dear Santa… xD
One MAJOR issue. Dirt, debris and chips. Crap is inevitable, barring a 10 horsepower vacuum system that could inhale a large cat. All the precision measurements assume a completely clean environment. One reason why the tool magazine on large machines it kept behind a closed door or panel.
Can you make some runs and report how well this machine handles that issue?
I want!!!
I'm disappointed to see it won't be able to handle steel milling. I'm still looking at a tiag micro mill, it would be great to have auto tool changing.
Hello Shahriar. Do you have any price point for this machine?
Very impressive. As always, you seem to answer any question I could come up with in addition to making me aware of things that would never occur to me.
keren mesin CNC nya
Is there any support for fiducials or other multi-layer alignment features? I would be KEENLY interested if this could create double-sided laminates that could be sandwiched, and I know I'm not the only one. Many designs are almost required to be 4-layer at this point, or more with those pesky BGAs.
??
Holy crap, I want one. This is the first time I've seen worthwhile PCB performance from a desktop CNC.
I have watched several of these reviews and I have yet to see any of them show the controller board or motion system.
I would change to a wider mill bit (like 1-2 mm) for clearing those large surfaces and leave the delicate structures to the 0.2 mm bit. If working with FR4, the glass will consume those expensive mill bits quickly.
and of course this shows my ignorance about how laser engraving works, but I don't understand why the phone case not being completely level would affect the fine details of the resulting image / engraving? I mean isn't this is "single" beam of laser perpendicular to the bed? is there a lense that focuses the picture at a particular depth?
"this is of course a picture of Audrey Hepburn" 🙂
The software probably has Reversal Error Compensation; maybe even Leadscrew Error Compensation.
The dust collection looks very similar to something from a Xiaomi robot cleaner.