Milo V1.5 CNC Bench Mill - Water Cooled - Casa Enclosure

[PFarm]

Update on the BTT Rodent I've contacted BTT via email and on Discord asking where the user manual is for this motherboard since there is no manual on their website or their Github with no response. It will be delivered shortly so I guess I'm on my own to configure the motherboard using BTT Wiki for the Rodent and FluidNC Github.  On FluidNC Discord, it looks like this motherboard was designed for the RatRig CNC Mill but I found no info on their site either. Lesson learnt look for the supporting documentation before purchasing a new product. It's poor business to release a product for sale without supporting documentation. It feels that it is all about the money and not the customer 

[mvdveer]

13 hours ago, PFarm said:

It feels that it is all about the money and not the customer 

Found this trend in the post Covid Area - would be a good research topic - why has attitudes in customer care changed post Covid. Worse of all - you cannot even talk to a support person of flesh and blood anymore! I feel there was a major shift in the universe or something..........

Will do some research and see what I come up with if anything

 

[mvdveer]

AS I understand for ESP32 boards, which the BTT Rodent is, there is no need to flash firmware to the board through menuconfig,  but installation is rather done via a script:

Here is the link. Will keep searching for more info.

I assume you already came across the pinout ( is in the description of the board on the website) , but here it is:

[mvdveer]

Also found an interesting video which may be helpful

 

And the Wiki Page.  But it looks like a whole lot of pain, but the pioneers love pain don't they?

[PFarm]

@mvdveer I appreciate your input on the FluidNC research. I've done some myself. I've gone through some of the config examples. There is a generic one to start, and then I can take bits and pieces from other ones to add features. The video you found is going to be of great help. Thank you!

I'll post my config file once it's working on the Milo so others don't struggle through the process.

[PFarm]

Well some good news to report, someone on FB guided me to the documentation (not that easy to find) link here The manual and the config.yaml file is there. Looked through the config file there was no way I would have figured that out on my own. Using the Windows 10 computer is the easiest way to upload FluidNc using the Web Installer. I'll be wiring it into the Milo tomorrow.

Update: I had to deal with clearing errors before wiring it into the Casa

 

[PFarm]

I mounted the Rodent motherboard onto the din rail mount I modelled. 

I got the config.yaml file sorted out the reference info in the pinout diagram some are wrong and some pin. # are missing in the diagram. Contact BTT to inform them what they need to fix I got an email back, and they'll fix the issues. With the great help from Bart Dring and Mitch Bradley admin/creatures of FluidNC on Discord was able to sort out the issues. Bart added the BTT Rodent to their third-party Wiki page with the limited info from BTT he's posted the pin-out assignments (work in progress). Here is the link to their Wiki page.

Posted issues on the BTT Rodent GitHub page.

I'll be installing it into the Casa today and hopefully continue testing. Once I've tested the config I'll post it up.

This is what the FluidNC on the Rodent looks like when it boots with no errors:

 

[PFarm]

On 11/28/2024 at 3:12 AM, mvdveer said:

 But it looks like a whole lot of pain, but the pioneers love pain don't they?

Yes, I guess I love the challenge and pain that come with being an early user of a product. Dealing with the issues and finding solutions so others don't need to go through the experience is satisfying.

The next challenge is writing macros for  FluidNC.

[PFarm]

I'll be returning to the Mellow Fly CDYV3 for now. The BTT Rodent has an RS485 spindle communication, one of the features I was looking for, but there is an issue with the internal wiring of the RS485 A/B connection. The 485-A is supposed to be the + terminal the internal wiring is reversed.

 

There is also a lot to learn about the configuration of the Rodent and setting up the Fusion 360 Cam function. So lots of reading ahead and going to wait for an RS485 solution from FluidNC.

[PFarm]

The short coming of the Mellow CDYV3 is memory once you load the latest Millennium OS you get a warning that you're running out of space. 

I had wires fall out of the Touch Probe connector when I put them back into the connector I must have swapped the polarity and let the smoke out of the board 

The BTT Scylla came online last night, so I have one coming. Hopefully, I can complete the Milo build; it has been a long journey. BTT Scylla

 

[PFarm]

I've relocated the VFD inside the Casa enclosure as suggested on Discord, the VFD fan tends to suck in chips into the VFD.

[PFarm]

Since the VFD will restrict airflow to the motherboard, I've added a fan and spun it around so it will draw air into the electronic bay and rear fan with exhaust air from the bay.

[PFarm]

I finally got the Milo moving !!!!!

 

 

 

[PlstcNwud]

What an amazing build. Love the ring light. Is that your design?

[PFarm]

Thanks, the mounting bracket was modelled in Fusion 360 but the LED ring is a 12V halo for a headlight mod 

 

Edited December 30, 2024 by PFarm

[PFarm]

I've designed a plate for the water-cooled hose going into the spindle so they move freely when the Z axis moves. I'll eventually look at some means of quick coupler for the hoses so if the mill needs to be removed from the Casa.

Edited January 1 by PFarm

[claudermilk]

Awesome! Looks like nearly ready to start making chips!

[PFarm]

With a water-cooled spindle, I didn't want the pump and rad fans running constantly. I needed to figure out how to trigger the pump/fans when the spindle spins up. I used the 24V + and the DRV Grd on the VFD output side to trigger a solid-state relay. I need to tie in the tool setter, touch probe, tram the mill, and then complete the OS wizard. Then, I will make some wood chips to test the functions.

 

Also programmed VFD PD50 and 51 to 5 = Set Frequency Reach

Edited January 2 by PFarm

[PFarm]

The probes are wired in and tested, OS wizard is completed. I'm still working on the tramming of the bed.

On another note, I read that it is recommended to warm up your spindle before starting your first cut of the day. I've put together this Spindle Warmup macro which consists of a 4 min warmup using an increase of 6000 rpm every minute till completed.

Spindle-Warmup.g

 

Go to the macro section:

Click on #4 Misc.

Upload the Macro File:

The macro will now show up in the DWC under Misc.

enter M999 to restart the firmware.

 

 

 

Edited January 11 by PFarm

[PFarm]

I got this tip from Nero Milo's build (tramming) video. @Penatr8tor Pete, when you assemble the three extrusions to form the bed, use the 123 blocks, bolt them to the center and back extrusion to level the two pieces, tighten all your M5s, and then do the front. I had to loosen mine, reapply Locktite, and retighten. Even with the three pieces now level, my front extrusion had a twist, so I had to shim it. I now have -.02mm (.78 thousands) on the right side, but everywhere else is good.

Edited January 12 by PFarm

[Penatr8tor]

Thanks Jack,

That's very helpful. Plus, I now have an extra set of 123 blocks as the LDO kit came with two so, I should be able to align both front and rear at the same time.

 

[PFarm]

6 hours ago, Penatr8tor said:

Thanks Jack,

That's very helpful. Plus, I now have an extra set of 123 blocks as the LDO kit came with two so, I should be able to align both front and rear at the same time.

You're welcome. If that is the case I'd suggest using three blocks per side—one on each end and one in the center.

Edited January 14 by PFarm

[PFarm]

@Penatr8tor Another suggestion I can make is to enlarge three of the spindle bolt holes by 1mm. This will make tramming easier. I need to remove the spindle and drill them out to tram the Z properly. I'm presently out of movement in the direction I need it to move. It would be easier to drill the Z plate prior to mounting it.

Edited January 14 by PFarm

[Penatr8tor]

8 minutes ago, PFarm said:

enlarge three of the spindle bolt holes by 1mm.

Do you have a photo you could post?

 

[PFarm]

1 hour ago, Penatr8tor said:

Do you have a photo you could post?

 It's the three empty holes you see in the photo. A #8 drill bit is what fit in the existing hole which is 5.07mm used a #1 bit which is 5.88mm.

Edited January 14 by PFarm