Z-probing the Cyclone CNC
Some days ago the first movements on the Cyclone PCB CNC mill occurred. Some adjustment to the stepper drivers reference voltage to set the appropriate current for the motors and the movements improved a lot.
Success in one phase lead to another. Next up was trying to fit a Dremel or look-a-like in the printed mounting parts but even with multiple different dremels and likes it was impossible to fit into the printer mounts. The holes were just not suitable. A quick glance at the repository revealed an updated mount and carriage as well.
Printer is now printing new parts for the carriage and meanwhile there is time to figure out the functionality of the mill. The Z-probing to find the surface of circuit board is done via conductive means. Just wire one end to a metal rod in the carriage and the other one clipped the circuit board to be milled. Simple, see photo of the first production version of the probe.. As soon as we are able to mount the spindle into the carriage we can use it as a probe and just snap the other wire onto the mill bit.
