Where are all of you Gen 2’s putting your motion controller? I am still assembling, just got everything cabled… looking to place the motion controller. I suspect I will have to figure out something for the spindle controller too.
If you don’t have the HMI the motion controller will screw right to the power supply, just remove the screws from the PS and it fits right in place. I’m still putting mine together, but want to do something different than screw it all to the bottom of the waste board.
I’m not very good at reading instructions…so maybe it’s in there, but I just saw the bolt pattern and went for it. Also, nice little trick for the nuts next to the dust shield for the steppers, I used a little painters tape on the back of the wrench to hold the little nut in place while being installed.
I have the HMI and QCW with HD stand, secure from below waste boards. I don’t see a bolt pattern that lines up with this, hate to stick it on the bottom of a waste board and have to move it every time I replace them. Other ideas?
I designed a shelf that attaches to the outer side of my QCW / rolling-folding stand utilizing the M6 bolts that hold the waste board frame rails in place. It’s made from 0.125" cold rolled steel and the motion controller will be mounted to that. I don’t have a welder and the last time I welded was in high school metal shop, so I found a shop to fabricate it for me. It’s a fairly simple design, so it shouldn’t cost too much. If you’re interested, I can send you the drawing and shop notes I did.
I’m up against the same issue with my QCW and heavy duty stand. Could you shoot me a DM with your drawing? It just doesn’t make sense to be forced to partially dismantle things for new waste boards.
Hi Phil,
I agree with you that attaching the motion controller and the VFD directly to the bottom of the waste board makes no sense.
The shelf/bracket I designed attaches to the outer frame of the QCW using the cap head bolts that hold the t-track rails in place.
I created two versions, one out of 1/8" cold-rolled steel, the other out of 1/2" hardwood. I made the one out of wood because
I am having difficulty finding a metal shop to fabricate this for me. None of the shops I spoke with wanted to do a “one-off”
small custom piece and I don’t have a welder so that’s why I designed the one out ouf wood.
A couple of things to note: on both sets of drawings, I purposely left off the placement of the holes to mount the motion controller;
this is in case there is some deviation in case size or hole location. If you decided to make the one out of wood, you will need
longer cap head bolts to compensate for the wood thickness. With the metal version, the existing cap head bolts should work
(if you don’t exceed 1/8" thickness).
Hope this helps. Any questions, let me know.
Paul
(attachments)
Real Time Motion Controller Mount Bracket Shop Notes_WOOD.pdf (216 KB)
Real Time Motion Controller Mount Bracket Shop Notes_METAL.pdf (240 KB)
Paul those plans take me back quite a bit to my old days of working with CAD! I really do appreciate you sharing with me.
I think either approach is probably the best way to mount the box, especially since it will take away the disassembly issue at waste board time.
My pleasure Phil, glad I couple help.
Any questions or problems, let me know!
Paul
Hi Phil,
This weekend I had a chance to build the shelf/bracket. Build and install went fine, except I immediately noticed a major flaw that I failed to consider. I mounted the bracket to the cap head bolts that are closest to the HMI mount. When I homed and the Z touches the front left corner of the spoil board, it will hit the motion controller.
For a fix I can redesign the bracket so the motion controller sits below the spoil board (still attached to the same cap head bolts). Basically flipping over the bracket so the controller sits lower. The design is pretty much the same except I’ll need to make the base larger to compensate for the gussets and cables. I’ll start working on a redesign tonight or tomorrow. When I have something workable, I’ll send you a copy.
Paul
Thanks Paul,
I hadn’t gotten that far along, in fact I was going to draw it up 3D but Autodesk some has locked me out of my personal use license. I suspect that might be due to just launching a new laptop. I did stop by a local shop to see if they might do a one off for me but they were closed for lunch that day. I hope to try again soon though.
Thanks again for thinking of me.
Phil
Phil,
I’m sure by now you found a solution to mounting your motion controller, here is what I finally came up with.
After a number of prototypes for mounting my motion controller, none of which I was really happy with, I decided “simple is better”. As you can see in the photo, I mounted the motion controller to a 0.75" piece of painted red oak to the underside of the t track rails with (6) #12 self tapping screws. The board is set between the first and second screws holding my MDF spoil board. I can easily remove these screws and spoil board without removing the motion controller. I did the same on the opposite underside end for mounting my VFD.
Paul
That looks really good, so now I’ll have to re-do mine because it is no where as neat and clean looking.
Very smart idea, sir!
Very very nice. I am at this very point in assembly. Saved me alot of time. Also would love to see more of your ideas.
Thank you!
As I mentioned, I did the same with my VFD.
Also, I have the rolling/folding stand, and while in theory it’s convenient to roll it, the machine is extremely heavy to lift and extending the legs is cumbersome. I can muscle it into position, but it’s not easy, so I decided to leave the legs permanently locked open and add industrial rated casters. I can now easily move my machine around my shop. I have photos and a link to the casters if you’re interested.
I think this is the best way to mount them and I just finished mounting mine as well.
I thought I’d need to move my machine at different points in the future but see that there is plenty of room around it now so no need to add the casters I had planned. So it is on to making lots of wood dust now!
And now I am here, and using this again. I should order you some grubhub or something lol. This is saving this newbie alot of rework. Just being honest.
I am, like many, just a newbie trying to get my rig dialed in.
I found this file on Etsy and it solved a lot of problems for me: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1494724257/onefinity-qcw-undermount-brackets?ls=r&sr_prefetch=1&pf_from=shop_home&ref=items-pagination-2&dd=1&content_source=53576ddea745123314d3078cb82d9852%253ALTd9e4920099179571528a6d8fb0a6ed129baa21bb&logging_key=53576ddea745123314d3078cb82d9852%3ALTd9e4920099179571528a6d8fb0a6ed129baa21bb
I used this bracket to 1) mount my motion controller on a shelf., 2) Install a dust curtain around my table to reduce saw dust in the storage area below the QCW. and 3) Make a storage drawer under the QCW for bits and pieces.
I have no association with this Etsy seller at all. Just appreciate ingenuity when I see it. If the originator of this file happens to see this post, THANK YOU!!! Awesome print. Huge ROI on the purchase.
Ok, so I had this random idea based upon yours, what if you mounted t-track down there and then could hang and mount whatever, using the same self tapping screws idea…and they would be able to be moved/slide around