Travis Farmer

LinuxCNC

LinuxCNC is a Linux-based machine control application.

VcarvePro

A very powerful CAD program for signs, plaques, and any other CNC Router project you can come up with.

The MESA 7I80HD is a low cost, general purpose, FPGA based programmable I/O card with 100 BaseT Ethernet host connection. This is the main board for my machine. I also have a 7i80HD-16 for a backup, already firmware loaded. The main board handles the StepGen functions.

Mesa 7i44

The 7I44 is a 8 channel RS-422 interface for Mesa's Anything I/O series of FPGA interface cards. This connects all the secondary boards, below, to the main board.

Mesa 7i73

The 7I73 is a remote real time pendant or control panel interface. This will be my control panel board, when i get around to building it.

Mesa 7i70

The 7I70 is a remote isolated 48 input card. This takes in all the minor inputs from the machine, at 24Vdc. it also currently handles the (8-bit) analog inputs, from spindle feedback RPM, and air PSI sensors.

Mesa 7i72

The 7I72 is a remote isolated 48 output card. This controls the minor outputs of the machine, at 12Vdc potential (sinking outputs, so ground referenced. will be 24Vdc after re-wire).

Mesa 7i83

The 7I83 is remote isolated six channel +-10V analog output card intended for analog drive interfacing or other +-10V analog output applications. This controls my spindle RPM, and my laser output power.

Stepper Motors

Unknown brand/model NEMA23 steppers

Power Supplies

a 100A RV charger/converter, driving DC to DC converters for 5V, 12V, 24V, and 48V.

Machine

Techno/ISEL 48in X 48inCNC Router Table.

About Travis

I am a middle-aged Autistic man, that loves computers, CNC, Electronics, and so on... I host my own website, and wired my machine myself. for education, i have only a HS Diploma, and the rest is self-taught, except carpentry, which i learned from my Father.

How this started

I worked for over 10 years as a carpenter, until i was forced to quit due to my Autism. Now i make signs and plaques on my CNC Router, to sell.

I do not blame my former employer, my Father. I blame the guy we were sub-contracting for. But it gave me the push i needed to start my own business.
I bought this machine used, as just the machine. i added Steppers, control boards (originaly LPT controlled), wiring, power supplies, and so forth. Eventualy, i got it working, in a limited sense.
then i upgraded to Mesa hardware. at that point, and once i got the firmware flashed, my machine really took off. then i discovered SSerial connected boards, and bought a ATC spindle.
I have not yet made automatic tool changes, but i love that the ability is there.