13.09.

21, 07:31 CNC 3018 to 3040 Upgrade with 500W Spindle Motor | Techydiy

CNC 3018 to 3040 Upgrade with 500W Spindle

Motor (Sainsmart Genmitsu)

CNC 3018 to 3040 Upgrade with 500W Spindl…

Spindl…

PRIVACY

Upgrading a Sainsmart Genmitsu 3018-PROVer with a 3040 Y axis Extension, an aluminium spindle holder
and a 500 Watt spindle motor.

3040 Y-Axis Extension Kit

3040 MDF Spoilboard

3040 Aluminum Spoilboard
Aluminum Spindle Holder 3018-PROVer
Aluminum Spindle Holder 3018-PRO

500W Spindle motor

Laser kit
3018-PROVer

00:00 Introduction

00:28 Dismantle 3018

01:32 Assemble Y Axis

02:13 MDF Spoilboard

04:08 Candle

04:28 Level Spoilboard

04:57 Cut Plywood

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05:20 Laser

05:38 Aluminium Spoilboard

07:25 Cut Plywood

07:56 Aluminium Spindle Holder

08:54 500W Spindle Motor

09:54 Cut Plywood

10:24 Tensegrity

10:46 Cut Aluminium

11:57 Height Increase

13:39 Review

Video script

In today’s video I’m going to upgrade a 3018 CNC, increasing the size of the table, installing a 500-watt
spindle motor and increasing the Z axis clearance height.

To increase the table size, I am going to use a Sainsmart Genmitsu 3040 y-axis extension kit
PRIVACY
These are available for the 3018-pro, PROVer and MX3.

Ok, so let’s get started, first I am going to remove the gantry from the 3018, unplug the wiring and then dis-
mantle the base frame.

That’s the base frame disassembled, so now I am going to rebuild it with the new components from the y
axis kit.

I am checking that the base frame is square by making sure that the diagonal measurents are equal.

Next we need a larger table bed, it easy enough to make one but Sainsmart also have two options, the
Genmitsu 3040 MDF spoilboard or the Genmitsu 3040 aluminium spoilboard extension kit.

I am going to try both starting with the MDF table.

To prevent the table hitting the base frame, spacers are used to increase the clearance between them.

Now the cabling is reinstalled.

The y axis limit switch cable is replaced with the longer one supplied in the kit.

Thats the machine assembled and I can run a homing cycle.

The only software configuration change is to update the grbl £131 y axis maximum travel limit setting.

Typing $$ in the console shows the current settings

I have measured the new value as 315mm.

To change the setting I enter $131=315 into the console.

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If your not using a 3018 prover this will be a different value.

Next, I am going to install a spoilboard and face it with a 22mm bit.

To reduce the dust, I am fitting a dust boot that I made in a previous video. It could do with a skirt but it still
catches a lot of fine dust.

I cut out some 6mm or 1/4″ plywood, which worked fine without any problems.

The spindle can be replaced with a laser module.

Combined with the larger table this is quite a useful combination.

Next, I tried out the aluminium spoilboard kit.

This includes a new aluminium table which is joined to the old table with an MDF backing board.

The new table is 9mm thicker than the original and this amount is lost in clearance height.

There is however an easy way of gaining that back and more, which I will show later in the video.

The acrylic side plates can be reinstalled.

The cutting area is the same as with the MDF table.

I reinstalled the spoilboard and cut some more of the 6mm or 1/4″ plywood.

There is not any noticeable difference in rigidity with either of the tables installed. It works the same as be-
fore the size increase.

Next, I installed a 52mm diameter aluminium spindle holder, which is a complete new z axis assembly.

The spring in the anti backlash mechanism is compressed while the leadscrew is installed, which should res-
ult in a slight gap under the screw head.

The old spindle motor cable can be removed before reinstalling the stepper motor and limit switch cables.

I am going to install a 500w 52mm spindle motor that I used in a previous video.

The power supply is installed in an earthed steel case and because the output from the power supply is
mains referenced, I have also earthed the spindle motor body.

The axes are all moving ok.

I haven’t connected the spindle motor to the controller. On off and speed are both manual.

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The maximum speed is about 12000 rpm which you can nudge up or down with a pot in the power supply.

Once again I tried cutting 6mm plywood.

Next, I tried cutting some 1.5mm thick aluminium sheet.

I used candle to probe the surface and create a height map.

The machine isn’t very stiff, so I set the depth of cut to 0.1mm.

I increased the depth of cut to 0.5mm but it didn’t sound very happy.

So I set the depth of cut back to 0.1mm and then started increasing the feed rate.

To gain some extra height, I tried attaching the original side rails to the top of the new rails.

I used 6 of the aluminium plates that I cut earlier.

The clearance height is increased by 40mm but it can be set lower.

I tested it on a length of 2×4.

Using a 4 flute 6mm end mill, I cut some pockets using different cut depths and feed rates.

You can hear the difference when the depth of cut is increased.

Ok so that all worked pretty well.

The increased table size makes for a more useful machine.

I have a slight preference for the aluminium table over the MDF table, but they both worked fine.

The aluminium spindle holder is nicely made.

It has a height adjustment knob that I forgot to mention earlier

and because it’s solid aluminium, it acts as a heatsink, helping to keep the spindle motor cool.

None of these changes makes the 3018 more rigid and that ultimate limits how aggressively you can oper-
ate it.

This entry was posted in Cnc & Laser on April 10, 2021 [http://www.techydiy.org/cnc3040upgrade/] .

2 thoughts on “CNC 3018 to 3040 Upgrade with 500W Spindle Motor (Sainsmart
Genmitsu)”

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Steven Adams
May 24, 2021 at 7:15 pm

Looking for the metal plates you machined for the 3018 to 3040 upgrade for the Z axis…

Would you share the CNC file?

Steven Adams
June 3, 2021 at 8:56 pm

Can I please get your GRBL Defaults for the 3018 after upgrading to the 3040? I am struggling with the set-
tings, and it is not recognizing the limit switches.

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