====== Jaxen CNC Mill - Homepage ====== Jaxen is the most powerful CNC mill at VHS, capable of milling steels and other metals harder than aluminum and brass. {{:wiki:tools:jaxen2026aug-closeup.jpg?600|}} As of 2026 September, it is being prepared for wider member use by the Metal CNC committee. This is the homepage for Jaxen. Wiki pages for Jaxen: * [[jaxen_operating|Jaxen Operating Guide]] * [[jaxen_joblog|Jaxen Job Log]] * [[jaxen_electrical|Jaxen Electrical Documentation]] | **Model** | Mill: Grizzly G0619 [[https://cdn0.grizzly.com/manuals/g0619_m.pdf| See Manual]] (CNC Fusion stepper + ballscrew conversion) | | **Status** | Being tested. | | **Usage Restrictions** | Members with Training | | **Training** | Mandatory | | **User certification required** | YES - proof of successfully completing training | | **Hackable** | NO - Join #metal-cnc-committee | | **Owner** | Vancouver Hack Space (donated by [[https://talk.vanhack.ca/u/ccudahy| Chris / ccudahy]] ) | | **If it Breaks** | Notify champion, put up an Out of Order sign | | **Loan Status** | Donated — VHS purchased for $1; Chris / ccudahy retains first refusal if disposed | | **Arrival Date** | August 29th, 2020 | | **Location** | CNC Area, Northeast corner | | **Champion** | [[https://talk.vanhack.ca/u/colinl | ColinL]] ; [[https://talk.vanhack.ca/u/androidlx | AndroidLX]] | ==== Specifications ==== * **Software:** Runs [[https://www.cncdrive.com/UCCNC.html|UCCNC]] * **Controller:** AXBB-E (CNCdrive) * **Installation:** Inside a custom aluminum enclosure, coolant ready, mounted on a standard machine shop base, bolted to concrete floor. * **Weight:** ~200 kg * **Mill mechanics:** Modified with CNC Fusion stepper + ballscrew kit (original parts retained) * **Motors:** X+Y are brand 'JSS Motor' Model 57HSE2N-D25, Hybrid stepper with integrated encoders (aka "servos") * **Horsepower:** TBD * **Spindle:** max 1700 RPM (unsure of conditions of exceeding this) * **Sensors:** 3x Limit switches magnetic proximity, USB-C probe (not implemented), toolsetter (not implemented) === Backlash === **As of 2026 Aug, with software backlash compensation enabled: users can expect accuracy of 0.01mm or better in X and Y.** Raw mechanical backlash before compensation: X: 0.08mm, Y: 0.06mm, Z: 0.16mm (Z needs to be investigated further). === Rigidity === To be measured... === Max build size: === * Y: 130-180mm, depending on workholding. * X: 350mm (largest part size is larger: half the width of the enclosure) * Z: 250mm (distance from chuck face to vice top) ---- ====== Training ====== * **Mandatory training required** before use. * Suggested to first complete training and certification on the [[wiki:tools:6040 CNC Mill|6040 CNC Mill "Loratron"]] but not mandatory. * Certification must be recorded before using Jaxen. ---- ==== Speeds & Feeds ==== Always set both cutting speed and feed rate properly to avoid tool damage and poor results. * You can look at the Jaxen Job Log for examples of past jobs so you get repeatable results. * There is also a tool on the Jaxen CNC PC for suggesting RPM and feed rates based on your job. Name???? ---- ====== Maintenance ====== ==== ToDo List ==== **Critical** * Replace metal side panel with plexiglass for viewing from the workstation. * basic door on front * tramming, squaring vice, and other mill accuracy verification procedures. **Non-Critical** * Measure rigidity * Increase Y axis limit by moving vice, verify new limits and update specs. * Secure XYZ hard limits better, each only held with 1 screw. * Isolated inputs for hardware limits appear to be pulled high by 24VDC supply, bypassing isolation and daughter multiplexing board. * For custom boards inside column enclosure: Insulation on screw terminals and cable management for 120VAC connections- risk of short circuiting. * Add alarm monitoring of stepper drives as digital input (can monitor all in series with 1 input point) * Make probe circuit normally closed (active low). * Master power switch for electrical panel. * Addition of in-panel circuit breakers that isolate control and motor-power subsystems. * Get a smaller vice so that the movement range of the table can be extended. (Check actual gains from this to ensure it's worth it). * Coolant system * Upgrade the spindle DC brushed motor and drive train, which currently has about 5 degrees of backlash- hekseskudd says this would be the biggest single improvement to surface finish. Goal would be to have a big spindle motor like Gage had.......... * Consider spare parts for the most common things users could break, like spindle system. * Consider systems for preventing crashes, currently only have software limits. * Add 2nd solid state relay to cut off power to motor drivers. * Check effectiveness of spindle encoder index pin, and potentially remove to free-up IO. Since it is not actually on spindle, index is not indicating any real fixed location. ---- ==== Maintenance Log ==== ^ Date ^ Who ^ Note | | 2026 Aug 28 | Colin L | Splice spindle encoder cable, terminate, cable management, encoder PPM settings adjust. | | 2026 Aug 21 | Colin L | Ground bus bar behind controller re-soldered, fix intermittent connections (spindle grounding). Tighten limit switch bracket (Z). Added 2nd magnet to Z limit post after failed homing. Remeasured backlash, same results. Setup software backlash compensation using test results, re-tested showing accuracy is now about 0.01mm. | | 2026 Aug 15 | Colin L | Cut another notch in rear enclosure panel for column access. | | 2026 Aug 14 | Colin L | E-Stop circuit troubleshooting, redesign, rewire, and document E-stop circuit. | | 2026 Aug 8 | ColinL | Splice spindle speed control cable. Mount E-Stop button to front. Y-axis stepper cable management. | | 2026 Jul | Many | Moved Jaxen from beside electrical panel "MEOW" into Gage the CNC's old enclosure in the Northeast corner of the CNC area, rewired electrical panel | | 2026 Mar | ColinL | Created new profile for metric G-Code, tuned spindle PID loop, created basic workholding bed, backlash benchmarking, labelling, start of training program... | | 2025 Sep | Majicj | Substantial documentation done on the electrical control system for the wiki. | | 2016/2017 | Chris (donor) | Disassembled after poor cut quality; discovered defective saddle, replaced with new Grizzly part, controller box rebuilt. | | 202x Jul 4 | AndroidLX | Significant modifications performed. Machine confirmed to run UCCNC, noted as “not particularly user-friendly.” | ---- ====== History ====== * **Donated by:** [[https://talk.vanhack.ca/u/ccudahy | Chris (ccudahy)]] See [[https://talk.vanhack.ca/t/cnc-milling-machine-donation/10613]] * **Donation terms:** Purchased by VHS for $1; donor retains first right of repurchase if disposed * **Donation date:** August 29, 2020 * **Arrival location:** Workshop * In 2025, King Industrial Stand purchased for mill ~$300-$400([[https://www.kmstools.com/king-industrial-stand-for-milling-drilling-machines.html|KMS Tools]]) * 2020 Original Base: Wood 93 × 61 cm footprint, 93 cm tall (engine hoist fits underneath) * Came with R8 tooling * **Most of Tooling that came with machine seems to have gone missing** * Gecko G540 stepper controller (see [[https://www.geckodrive.com/support/g540-manual-rev8/|Gecko G540 Manual]]) (parallel port → LinuxCNC PC) * Integrated PC, stepper PSU, and controller in enclosure Mill and original stand as donated by Chris: {{tool:metal_cnc:JaxenDonation.jpg?500|Jaxen CNC Milling Machine}} Pic of Jaxen about 2026 Jan: {{tool:metal_cnc:jaxencncmill.jpeg?300|Jaxen CNC Milling Machine}} Pic of Jaxen about 2026 July during the move into the corner and new enclosure: {{:tool:metal_cnc:jaxen_2026-july.jpg?600|}}