Hobby CNC Foam Pro Stepper Control Board

[billscottni]

Having seen what Joe's foamcutter can do, I decided it was time I got mine up and running. The mechanics were built some time ago, but I hadn't bought the steppers or control boards.

Fred put me on to a cheap source of steppers and I now have the 4 stepper motors required. The next step was the control board. I decided to go with the Hobby CNC board which I ordered from the US. Below are a few pics of what you get. Obviously there's a bit of soldering to do and I'll try and remember to take pics along the way and then show the system up and running.

The pc I'd intended to use has gone a bit "wonky". I'm hoping it's just a power suply and I'll be able to get it back up and running for both the foam cutter and cnc router.



The contents of the kit. I separated all the bits in to the plastic box, it doesn't come with the bits



The PCB on to which all the parts fit. The first 12 resistors are already on it.



The drawing showing the placement of all components



All the components which have to be soldered on to the board.

I've bought a fine tip for my soldering iron and also got a deal on a temperature controlled iron, so soldering here we come!! :shock:  :shock:

[Happy Days]

May be I’m seeing things Bill, but I count 13 resistors on that board. :?:

Good idea to keep all the components separate.

Because I have partial “Colour Defective Vision” I used to keep all my resistors in envelopes, marked as to their value. When ever I used to annoy my misses she used to threaten to mix up all the resistors/envelopes so I wouldn’t know what their values were! :!:  (Wicked woman) :lol:

K.

[billscottni]

Good eye Keith. You're right, there are 13 already on.
Like you I have to make sure evrythings separate and a magnifying glass was used to check the colours :?  :?

[billscottni]

Managed to get a bit more done today, as I'm off with back problems. This took me several hours, one resistor/capacitor at a time!  



Will keep going and hopefuly soon, I'll be cutting panels as nice as Joe's :?:  :?:

[billscottni]

Board is now fully populated, except for the chips.
At this stage the instructions tell you to run a few checks using 12v.
Done enough today, so probably tomorrow, before I do the checks. Hopefully my soldering has been up to the job :?  :?



Sorry about the glare from the flash



A different view for a change :wink:

[Fred]

Looks really clean Bill !  :clap:

[billscottni]

Thanks Fred.

I'm not the best at electronics, but I got a good deal on a temperature controlled soldering iron at Maplins, so all joints are done at the same temp. Hopefully this has prevented any of the components "blowing" in construction.


Testing tomorrow, wil determine if I'v done it right :?:

[Happy Days]

Well done Bill. The only components that are likely to “pop” during soldering are the semi conductors. :!:

I see you’ve wisely soldered sockets to house the chips…..good idea, :clap:  They can be very temperamental not only to heat but to stray voltages as well.

I also notice you’ve only posted pictures of the component side of the board,………not the soldered side! Come on, be brave,…..lets all have a look at Bill’s soldering Ha Ha! :lol:  

(Tip: Before you apply 12v, check, :?:  and then double check the polarity of all active components. i.e. diodes, transistors, i.c. sockets, and polarized capacitors’)

K.

[billscottni]

OK Keith just for you :wink:



Solder side of the board

Only 1 of the chips has a socket, four others have to be soldered in. I intend turning the heat down on the iron for those!

[billscottni]

The chips are stil in their anti-static bag:



Honest, there are 5 chips in here, 1 is very small and fits the socket

These will go in tomorrow, assuming the 12v tests go OK

[Happy Days]

Yeah, not bad work Bill, well done. :clap:

Re soldering i.c.’s. I’d advise you not to reduce the heat as this could create a dry joint. The “skill” to good soldering is a good amount of heat on the iron and to quickly solder the component to the board. If you take too long either the component could get damaged, or the “track” could come away from the board.

If you’re dubious about damaging the component, Maplin used to sell a little tool called a soldering heat sink. Made of alloy it clips onto the components wire, (on the component side of the board) to stop too much heat getting to the component.
If you haven’t got one, try using a very small pair of thin nose pliers with an elastic band around the handle to keep the pliers gripping the wire of the component you are soldering.

I repeat; good soldering to a p.c.b is done quickly, with a hot iron.

Good Luck

Keith

[billscottni]

Thanks Keith.

[billscottni]

Eventually got the bottle up to check my work.  :shock:

Ran the 12V test that HobbyCNC recommend before fitting the chips.

Needs a areading of 5 - 5.2v across a specified area. I got 5.02v and no BANGS

Can now move on and fit the chips.  

[Happy Days]

Very good Bill, voltage is nicely within spec. I predict this pcb will run perfectly, and won’t you feel good when it does!
(Just check that you’ve got the chips in the right way round Before you solder them,………depending on how they’re marked it can be easy to put them in the wrong way round………ask me how I know :oops:  :oops: )

[billscottni]

 it can be easy to put them in the wrong way round………ask me how I know :oops:  :oops: )

I think I can guess Keith :?:  :?:

Been there done that! :!: