Shopbot users - what have you learned?

[sanddrag]

Good to see someone else using a KFLOP and KMotion on a ShopBot. We did that to ours, and we're having a few issues with it, I think related to Windows XP and the older computer I currently run it on. Are you using the KStep as well, or a different board?

We put a Chinese water-cooled 2.2kW spindle on ours with a VFD that is interfaced to the KFLOP. I haven't really cut much with it yet, but our old original ShopBot PRT Alpha is not a great machine at all mechanically. The new ones are a lot better, but if I can still reliably make parts on the old machine, hey, why not.

On a side note, we really like our old Techno-Isel router. Ballscrew,servos, and linear bearings. Doesn't get much better than that.

[Forhire]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Good to see someone else using a KFLOP and KMotion on a ShopBot. We did that to ours, and we're having a few issues with it, I think related to Windows XP and the older computer I currently run it on. Are you using the KStep as well, or a different board?

Just the KFLOP. The adapter board plugs directly into the DB37 connector and the 16 pin ribbon cable on the Shopbot I/O board in place of the original Shopbot motion controller. I skipped the 20 pin ribbon because it only has inputs 9 to 12 which we don't use. See the last photo you'll see the adapter board (upside down) and the KFLOP in the back ground mounted to a folded piece of aluminum.

The main reason I opted for an adapter board was so I merge the DB37 and the 16 pin ribbon cleanly. I also wanted to breakout the RS-485, which is LVTTL (3.3V TTL) to control the VFD. I wasn't sure if the lockups we were experiencing with the RPM control was Shopbot software or USB related on the PC. Being that the KFLOP slices time well it's very easy to monitor and control the VFD using simple modbus commands. I start the modbus thread from the init. I was very lucky to find a great TTL_RS485 adapter that can to LVTTL to TTL level RS-485. I bought it off amazon. Powers directly off the KFLOP. http://www.hotmcu.com/uart-ttl-to-rs...ule-p-267.html

I did put 14N007 flyback diodes on the contractor coils and installed a z-axis proximity switch which simplified my homing routine. I ordered the proximity switch Shopbot for $87.50 – part number 14601. We also flipped the X and Y axis in software so the movement when standing in front of the router is same as our other mills.

[Forhire]

I uploaded a couple more shopbot photos. I also included a drill/tap op on a cnc knee mill and an assembly photo. All the parts were done in the school shop this year. The team has a group of shop kids that start in the fall so by the time the build season arrives they have some skills. They did great this season.

1/8" 5052


1/6th 5052


Secondary op drill and compression tap on Centroid cnc programmed on the machine using Intercon. Very fast.


Assembly. Riveted with stainless rivets. This was the first time designing sheet metal parts in Solidworks. Amazingly it all fit.