With the Dominator in the works, how about a “what would you like to see” or “what would you change compared to your current cnc” pinned thread?
Example; with my 5Pro, I can’t have a fence plus clamps and cut to the outside edges of a 4’ sheet.
With my CNC4N, I had to add a 5th leg, in the center, because I was getting jusssst enough deflection to not cut through the veneer layer around the center of some Birch ply that’s slightly warped (got to use what’s available around us).
You know, a thread where the group can chime in. The whole “10 minds are better than 1” and what-not.
I wonder if PwnCNC will offer an upgrade path from Elite Onefinity to a Dominator. The upgrade being a larger machine. It seems like the Masso, 1.2 Nm closed-loop steppers, PwnCNC spindle, and PwnCNC ATC could all be reused.
Here’s a giant wishlist of nice-to-haves that don’t typically come with hobbyist/first-gen machines:
tidy wiring and thoughtful grounding for easy assembly and resistance to EMI
good protection of ways/ballscrews/tool-rack from dust/chips
straightforward tramming process for all axes (eg a kit of measurement tools/jigs/shims and/or a calculator to determine required shims/adjustments to bring into square)
secure/repeatable mounting provisions on Z axis for accessories like a laser, camera, MQL nozzle, indicator etc.
leveling caster option to easily move machine around and then secure in position
under-table area / hold-down / access for electrical enclosures, chiller, table vacuum, air compressor, and dust collector (it looks like you’ve got space for some, but if you pre-checked and sized for some basic options of all of them, you’d have a really tidy and serviceable machine)
basic Fusion 360 machine model for simulation / collision checking
I think the above are relatively straightforward, but require some advanced planning. Even just adding placeholder screw points would help early adopters upgrade and add these niceties as time allows for their development.
Feel free to create threads in this category. We are absolutely listening!
I’d recommend separate threads so each one could be properly discussed if it’s an important enough feature.
If, not, maybe a single thread with the “little” things you’d like to see.
We have a few “bed” upgrades we’ve designed which add a lot of rigidity to the system. We haven’t installed them onto our prototype because we wanted them easily installable onto an already assembled machine. This way folks can slowly add upgrades over time with the end goal having the most rigid machine out there.
These upgrades basically add a latus work of extrusions to reduce bed deflection.
I will definitely look into the fifth leg option… very nice idea. I can make that one of the optional upgrades.
Tidy wiring was absolutely on my top priority list. (ignore the wires on the floor, still putting it together) but we’ll include a batch of these wire-clips as well as make the print files available, just like our other products.
Our stepper wires are double shielded They come with easy to press in aircraft connectors on the controller side. pre-wired phoenix connectors on the stepper side.
dust protection is being worked for sure. Not really evident on our prototype as there are certain parts that still need to be made that we’ve just run out of time to do… but i also want good way of protecting the ball screws and linear rails.
Tramming… check… we’ll have full sets of videos made when i go to put together our 2x4 machine "from scratch. Our 4x4 is being hurriedly put together, but i’ll be taking my time with our 2x4 so there’s good documentation for the full assembly.
There are leveling feet on here and there are amazon options for casters. Still working out making them available through us.
We’ve got some ideas for the rest… and i’ll definitely look into a F360 model to share so folks can make their own accessories. I absolutely want to encourage that. This is truly what makes the hobby cnc community so awesome is seeing all of the very cool innovations people come up with.
I have DominatorCNC wish list from my point ow view.
First and most important-fast delivery time, not2-3 month like AltMill and One finity now
Extra space in work table to install tool setter ant ATC and have option to cut 48” circle or 48”x 48” square.
tidy wiring and thoughtful grounding for easy assembly and resistance to EMI
Plug and Play wiring harness
Ballscrew and line rails for Z,Y,X axis.
Minimum 2.0NM integrated closed loop NEMA23 stepper motors at all axis
Breaking Stepper Motor on Z axis to stop spindle drop
Drag Chains on X and Y axis side support to protect from flappening away
good protection of ways/ballscrews/tool-rack from dust/chips
straightforward tramming process for all axes (eg a kit of measurement tools/jigs/shims and/or a calculator to determine required shims/adjustments to bring into square)
Optional secure/repeatable mounting provisions on Z axis for accessories
Included legs with leveling option in standard package.
• under-table open area access for electrical enclosures, chiller, table vacuum.
The Dominator 4x4 has a 50" wide by 48" deep bed.
There’s a 2" past-front travel… so technically the bit can travel just over 50x50". with 48depth supported travel.
This way you could line the tools along the left or right side and still retain a 48x48 cutting area.
Or, like i’m going to do, line the tools along the front “just below” the bed surface. This way i can slide panel stock onto the bed from either front or left side without interfering with anything that’s sticking up.
This “flat bed” style was something i’ve not seen on the more popular hobby machines. It was one clear way we could distinguish ourselves from other machines out there.
As i’ve been playing with the Dominator itself… i’m sitting on a stool rolling around the machine. This is extremely nice as i don’t have to be standing all the time… just roll around
The “flat” bed sits roughly 32" off the ground with the leveling feet. We just added large wheel casters on it to move it easily here at WBC and that added another 2-3" of height to the bed.
I would also agree that the coplanarity of the base and the perpendicularity of the spindle axis to the base should have a convenient adjustment option.
Is there any possibility that PwnCNC would consider working with Saunder Machine Works and creating a full-sized fixture tooling plate for the new series of Dominator machines?
I have one on my standard sized Shapeoko SO3 and it increased rigidity by an order of magnitude.The bonus was the 840 M6 threaded sea of holes at 20mm centres which permits use of the excellent modular vices supplied by SMW. Additionally, they can create fixture tooling plates with ½" holes that accept their larger modular vices.
Thank you, Chris. It is probably the one thing that would help me to decide to change my current machine set-up, because the work-holding, clamping versatility and machine rigidity helped me to get the best out of my machine.
Yes. I have put the SMW plates onto my HDM and smaller S3.. LOVE their products for sure.
It would absolutely be interesting to work with them and get the perfect plate design to make this possible. It’d be some pretty large plates but i’d definitely invest in that since our machine is going to chew through aluminum like it’s butter
I’m hoping to throw a giant 3x3 slab of aluminum and do a relief carving to show of it’s capabilities after i have the proper aluminum plates installed.
This is being considered. We’re looking at various ways of exposing threaded holes on our X plates that’ll open up the possibility for several different z-independent boot designs that are different than others out there.
I absolutely want to get my v3/v9 boots installed onto the Dominator asap.
It is a bit tougher to enclose a completely open machine like this but it is definitely on my mind.
I want to engage with schools and maker labs which means enclosures are vital not just for the noise reduction but also the safety.
The Masso is capable of having a door-switch that will pause/stop the machine if the enclosure doors are opened. So it is something that I will be researching, but not sure how soon I can make that happen with all that we’re trying to take on with this new machine. But it is definitely on my want-list.
They come with easy to press in aircraft connectors on the controller side. pre-wired phoenix connectors on the stepper side.
