c-nancy Upgrades 2023–2024

Background

c-nancy is the CNC mill at c-base. The original post from 2017 covers the build. Since then the machine has received several upgrades I never wrote up properly – doing that now.

Realisation

Axis extension X (April 2023) The X-axis had around 9 cm of unused travel. We replaced the linear rails with longer ones to use it. The stock was 1 cm too long and had to be cut to length with an angle grinder first. We then removed the side panel and swapped the linear carriages one at a time, keeping the axis largely intact throughout. No complications. I posted a reel of the process on Instagram.

Dust shoe (2023) An off-the-shelf part from China, sized to fit the spindle diameter, with a brush skirt and a port for a flexible hose. Bolted to the spindle with an Allen screw. The shoe clips on and off with plastic clips, which makes tool changes easier – unclip, swap the cutter, clip back on.

Minimum quantity lubrication (September 2023) A generic MQL unit on the cheaper end, running off compressed air from the c-base line – there is a separate post on the compressed air system. It mixes air and a small amount of oil into a mist directed at the cutter. Worth noting: running it on air only, without oil, already improves cut quality in hard woods.

Camera and monitor (April 2024) A USB endoscope camera mounted near the spindle, pointed at the cutter, with a monitor next to the machine showing the live feed. It gives a close-up view of the cutter during operation, which is useful for judging cut quality and tool condition.

Spoilboard (July 2024) A new waste board with slots and through-holes. The slots take T-track, the holes have threaded inserts – workholding is now flexible and the board can be surfaced flat when needed. We thought this was an afternoon job. It took several days. The result is good, and c-nancy now has considerably more workholding options than before.

New control cabinet (September 2024) c-base member hrmny rebuilt the entire electronics from scratch – new stepper drivers, clean wiring, everything in an external enclosure that is actually accessible. The motion controller stayed, everything else was replaced. Went live on 14 September 2024. I assisted.

Result

Four of these six upgrades are barely visible in use – they just make the machine more pleasant to operate. The spoilboard and the new control cabinet are the more substantial changes: better workholding, cleaner electronics. c-nancy runs.