I can assure you, ball screws make a HUGE difference on this machine. I have this WM3020 machine and have done a few mods on it to improve overall accuracy. I can easily trust it to hold +/- 0.001" tolerance, something I could never do with my 3018 'PRO' machine. The typical lead screws with brass insert nuts & spring-loaded backlash compensation are weak points of any 3018 series machine. That said, there are a few corners FoxAlien cut on this machine that they should not have, and kept it from being a truly 'next-level' 3020 series machine. They already charge the price for it, but they short-changed the design. I fixed a couple of these items with my modifications.
Good morning 🌅, what is the difference between machines from FA , this one is green, and the other orange, I am very new to CNC , I am looking at them and do understand what the differences are, I am a old dude, thinking about purchasing one myself next year, I am in the process of building my workshop at the moment, I am English retired but living in France,
Great observation! I’m not sure exactly why this is so, however I would imagine it was due to the collaboration with WoodMads. Excellent machine… even better with a 1.5kw spindle!!
this is definitely a great little machine. Yes I’ve made a PCB with this. I also suggest purchasing a set of PCB endmills and 30degree vbit engraving bits to make PCBs. I think the best place to purchase from is Amazon Australia!
Got this machine six months ago. I played around with it for a few weeks then gave up :( I wish there was a good TH-cam channel on how to operate the is machine with third party software etc.
Great comment! I have been meaning to do something like this for a while. Happy to help you get started and figure what you need to know that I could include in a video. Send me an email at newtechcreative@gmail.com if you would be keen?
Got mine today ... Started out with the standard software and it works. Really any grbl gcode sender will probably do. A few hours later I was designing stuff in fusion 360 and using the NC processor to generate the GCode. Admittedly the default spindle is ok for a desktop machine. Probably will upgrade it to a teknomotor 330W, 400W or 600W before long though. If I manage to make a little adapter plate to mount it. Still it did blew me away on accuracy. A biiiiiiiiiiiig step up from my first machines (had several desktop models sofar including homegrown ones). This thing is a gem. Just don't expect it to be a professional metal milling tool. You can mill metal sure but if that is your goal there are better options (that cost more). Have one of those too, a 60x50 full fledged 70 kg heavy desktop CNC from Sorotec. Why did I get this machine then, pcb's mostly or doing the odd little things like front panels or housings for those pcb/electronics projects. Things like that. Stuff where setting up the bigger machine (limited space workshop) would take to long for what it is. And of course pcb's is just easier to do by far on these smaller machines, odd as that may seem. Mainly heightmap probing that makes the difference there.
Thanks for your comment! From memory I think it was: Feed rate: 400mm/m Step down: 0.2mm Spindle speed: max (I think max is around 10,000rpm) Endmill: 3.175mm single flute This was cut with a ramping contour cut!
@@NEWTechCreative Hi (wow) thank you for the reply! I have one of these and have broken a bunch of bits using a 200mm/min plunge rate according to a Fox Alien video. But It looks like it will work with a ramping cut. What software do you use to do that? EstleCam does not have that.
Yes the ramping cut can be a less aggressive cut! I used fusion 360 to program the tool path however you might need to research to see if your software offers this!! Here are some other considerations for successful aluminum cutting: - purchase a proper aluminum cutting endmill - use 6061 aluminum - ensure that you use air to clear out chips and or lubricant to assist cutting - ensure that you stock is secure as vibration might break your endmill. Good luck 👍
I'd also recommend the AnoleX Evo CNC which you can get for $700. I know it doesn't have ballscrews, but I can't imagine how much of a difference it makes at this level of machine. On the other hand, it's got a larger 3040 bed, larger 60mm stepper motors, a beefier gantry and still maintains dual linear rails on each axis and the ability to plug in a laser and purchase other size spindle/router mounts. Other than the ballscrews it's a better machine and it's so much cheaper you can upgrade to a compact router and 65mm mount for the same price as the Foxalien. It's been great for me so far. Here it is taking 5mm deep passes through aluminum, and this is with the $500 base version using a compact router: th-cam.com/video/UP9l-aTyTis/w-d-xo.html anolexcnc.com/collections/cnc-machines/products/pre-order-all-metal-cnc-router-machine-3030-evo-pro-anolex-xyz-axis-dual-steel-guide-rails-cnc-router-with-3040-metal-table-300w-spindle-limit-switches-emergency-stop-for-aluminum-wood-acrylic-mdf3040
@@NEWTechCreative it’s a Makita router. I got a carbide compact router for $80 which is essentially the same thing but it doesn’t have the problem of the dial vibrating loose and comes with precise collets for $80. Btw your newest cnc build is freaking amazing. I started watching your channel for the mpcnc content cause I had one I’d been putting together for years and it’s been crazy to see how far you’ve come since then.
Wonderful presentation and tests. Thank you!
Looking at this one and appreciate the helpful video!
I can assure you, ball screws make a HUGE difference on this machine. I have this WM3020 machine and have done a few mods on it to improve overall accuracy. I can easily trust it to hold +/- 0.001" tolerance, something I could never do with my 3018 'PRO' machine. The typical lead screws with brass insert nuts & spring-loaded backlash compensation are weak points of any 3018 series machine.
That said, there are a few corners FoxAlien cut on this machine that they should not have, and kept it from being a truly 'next-level' 3020 series machine. They already charge the price for it, but they short-changed the design. I fixed a couple of these items with my modifications.
Thanks for this info!! If you have any videos or photos of you upgraded machine, I would love to see it!!
@@NEWTechCreative I've got some pics (no videos), but not sure where I can post them for you to see. Are you on FB at all?
Yes I’m on as Myles Newtech otherwise email at newtechcreative@gmail.com !!
@@billblades9195 what mods did you make ?
What mods did you do to make it better? about to pull the trigger.. probably...so many opinions to sift. Thankful for any advice you have
Good morning 🌅, what is the difference between machines from FA , this one is green, and the other orange, I am very new to CNC ,
I am looking at them and do understand what the differences are, I am a old dude, thinking about purchasing one myself next year, I am in the process of building my workshop at the moment, I am English retired but living in France,
Great observation! I’m not sure exactly why this is so, however I would imagine it was due to the collaboration with WoodMads. Excellent machine… even better with a 1.5kw spindle!!
Thanks for the video. Love to see how well this can mill copper PCBs, any one tried that?
Absolutely perfect for PCB milling!! No problem with this machine 👍
@@NEWTechCreative Thanks. So have you made some pcbs yourself? Where is the best place to buy one from Aus? Cheers.
this is definitely a great little machine. Yes I’ve made a PCB with this. I also suggest purchasing a set of PCB endmills and 30degree vbit engraving bits to make PCBs. I think the best place to purchase from is Amazon Australia!
Got this machine six months ago. I played around with it for a few weeks then gave up :(
I wish there was a good TH-cam channel on how to operate the is machine with third party software etc.
Great comment! I have been meaning to do something like this for a while. Happy to help you get started and figure what you need to know that I could include in a video. Send me an email at newtechcreative@gmail.com if you would be keen?
….sent
Got mine today ... Started out with the standard software and it works. Really any grbl gcode sender will probably do. A few hours later I was designing stuff in fusion 360 and using the NC processor to generate the GCode.
Admittedly the default spindle is ok for a desktop machine. Probably will upgrade it to a teknomotor 330W, 400W or 600W before long though. If I manage to make a little adapter plate to mount it. Still it did blew me away on accuracy. A biiiiiiiiiiiig step up from my first machines (had several desktop models sofar including homegrown ones). This thing is a gem. Just don't expect it to be a professional metal milling tool. You can mill metal sure but if that is your goal there are better options (that cost more). Have one of those too, a 60x50 full fledged 70 kg heavy desktop CNC from Sorotec.
Why did I get this machine then, pcb's mostly or doing the odd little things like front panels or housings for those pcb/electronics projects. Things like that. Stuff where setting up the bigger machine (limited space workshop) would take to long for what it is. And of course pcb's is just easier to do by far on these smaller machines, odd as that may seem. Mainly heightmap probing that makes the difference there.
Wow ok thank you, I just need to put time in to playing around with it. Keep you posted!
Hi do you have a svg file for the spoil boards and the edge aligner ? thank you
Yes I do! I’ve just posted on the Facebook group! If you don’t have access, feel free to email me at newtechcreative@gmail.com
What plunge rate, feed rate and RPM are you using from aluminum?
Thanks for your comment! From memory I think it was:
Feed rate: 400mm/m
Step down: 0.2mm
Spindle speed: max (I think max is around 10,000rpm)
Endmill: 3.175mm single flute
This was cut with a ramping contour cut!
@@NEWTechCreative Hi (wow) thank you for the reply! I have one of these and have broken a bunch of bits using a 200mm/min plunge rate according to a Fox Alien video. But It looks like it will work with a ramping cut. What software do you use to do that? EstleCam does not have that.
Yes the ramping cut can be a less aggressive cut! I used fusion 360 to program the tool path however you might need to research to see if your software offers this!! Here are some other considerations for successful aluminum cutting:
- purchase a proper aluminum cutting endmill
- use 6061 aluminum
- ensure that you use air to clear out chips and or lubricant to assist cutting
- ensure that you stock is secure as vibration might break your endmill.
Good luck 👍
I'd also recommend the AnoleX Evo CNC which you can get for $700. I know it doesn't have ballscrews, but I can't imagine how much of a difference it makes at this level of machine. On the other hand, it's got a larger 3040 bed, larger 60mm stepper motors, a beefier gantry and still maintains dual linear rails on each axis and the ability to plug in a laser and purchase other size spindle/router mounts. Other than the ballscrews it's a better machine and it's so much cheaper you can upgrade to a compact router and 65mm mount for the same price as the Foxalien. It's been great for me so far.
Here it is taking 5mm deep passes through aluminum, and this is with the $500 base version using a compact router: th-cam.com/video/UP9l-aTyTis/w-d-xo.html
anolexcnc.com/collections/cnc-machines/products/pre-order-all-metal-cnc-router-machine-3030-evo-pro-anolex-xyz-axis-dual-steel-guide-rails-cnc-router-with-3040-metal-table-300w-spindle-limit-switches-emergency-stop-for-aluminum-wood-acrylic-mdf3040
Thanks for sharing!! What spindle is in this video? It’s definitely not a 300w…. Looks more like a vfd controlled spindle?
@@NEWTechCreative it’s a Makita router. I got a carbide compact router for $80 which is essentially the same thing but it doesn’t have the problem of the dial vibrating loose and comes with precise collets for $80.
Btw your newest cnc build is freaking amazing. I started watching your channel for the mpcnc content cause I had one I’d been putting together for years and it’s been crazy to see how far you’ve come since then.