EShapeoko FAQ - Revision history

Admin at 12:47, 11 April 2015

2015-04-11T12:47:33Z

Admin at 12:47, 11 April 2015

2015-04-11T12:47:24Z

Admin: /* What's with Shapeoko, eShapeoko and Shapeoko 2? Which is which? */

2014-07-16T01:14:36Z

What's with Shapeoko, eShapeoko and Shapeoko 2? Which is which?

Admin at 15:34, 14 July 2014

2014-07-14T15:34:29Z

Admin: Admin moved page EShapeOko FAQ to EShapeoko FAQ

2014-07-02T18:33:24Z

Admin moved page EShapeOko FAQ to EShapeoko FAQ

Admin: /* What does eShapeoko do better than Shapeoko 2? */

2014-03-27T14:43:45Z

What does eShapeoko do better than Shapeoko 2?

Admin: /* What are the differences between the eShapeoko and the Shapeoko 2? */

2014-03-27T14:41:55Z

What are the differences between the eShapeoko and the Shapeoko 2?

Admin at 14:37, 27 March 2014

2014-03-27T14:37:49Z

Admin: /* What's with Shapeoko, eShapeoko and Shapeoko 2? Which is which? */

2014-03-27T13:57:50Z

What's with Shapeoko, eShapeoko and Shapeoko 2? Which is which?

Admin: /* What's with Shapeoko, eShapeoko and Shapeoko 2? Which is which? */

2014-03-04T10:55:40Z

What's with Shapeoko, eShapeoko and Shapeoko 2? Which is which?

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:47, 11 April 2015
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{warning\|This article predates the X-Carve and Shapeoko 3, so they are not included in the discussion.}}		{{warning\|This article predates the X-Carve and Shapeoko 3, so they are not included in the discussion.}}
		+

	=== What's with Shapeoko, eShapeoko and Shapeoko 2? Which is which? ===		=== What's with Shapeoko, eShapeoko and Shapeoko 2? Which is which? ===

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 === What's with Shapeoko, eShapeoko and Shapeoko 2? Which is which? ===
@@ Line 27: / Line 28: @@
 for additional strength.
-While the eShapeoko retains the MXL belt, it gives a choice of
+The eShapeoko uses GT2 belt, which is designed for better power transfer and less backlash
 three belt configurations, all of them teeth down: belts-on-top (the default on the X axis
 with a NEMA17 motor), and two belts-on-the-outside configurations (the default on the Y axis,
@@ Line 76: / Line 78: @@
 === What are the differences between the eShapeoko and the Shapeoko 2? ===
-There are three main differences.
+There are two main differences.
 ==== The motor plates ====
 The Shapeoko 2 motor plates are much thicker.  This makes them more rigid, but also significantly heavier.
@@ Line 85: / Line 87: @@
 * the Z rail never descends below the bottom of the X carriage.
 The eShapeoko already has a much improved Z axis compared to the original Shapeoko, so it would benefit less from this change.  The inverted arrangement is not without disadvantages: it can have clearance issues, and it has less favourable leverage, especially when the tool is up.
 === Will the eShapeoko adopt the Shapeoko 2 changes? ===
@@ Line 95: / Line 95: @@
 We will not adopt the heavier motor plates as standard, nor the inverted Z axis
-arrangement.  We plan to switch to GT2 belts in the medium term.
+arrangement.
 === What does eShapeoko do better than Shapeoko 2? ===

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 Later, it gained options for dual X rail, NEMA23 motors on all axes (a choice of X only,
 X and Y, or all three), aluminium spacers for the X carriage, open end plates, and an array
-of sizes: 375 mm, 495/500 mm, 750 mm, 1000 mm and 1250/1400 mm (Y axis only).  The larger sizes
+of sizes: 375 mm, 495/500 mm, 750 mm, 1000 mm and 1250/1400/1500 mm (Y axis only).  The larger sizes
 are supplied with mid-span supports for the Y axis and hardware to bolt the X rails together
 for additional strength.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:34, 14 July 2014
Line 107:		Line 107:

	TBD		TBD
		+
		+	=== Is it eShapeoko, or eShapeOko? Or maybe EShapeoko? ===
		+
		+	It's eShapeoko. MediaWiki forces article titles to start with a capital letter, which is why
		+	you'll see EShapeoko in titles and links. I used to prefer eShapeOko, but I changed my mind.
		+	(Before you ask, Edward prefers Shapeoko, and Bart named his linear motion system MakerSlide,
		+	so that's how I write them too.)

@@ Line 99: / Line 99: @@
 === What does eShapeoko do better than Shapeoko 2? ===
-* '''Belt tensioning.'''  Both are a major improvement over the original;
+* '''Belt tensioning.'''  Both are a major improvement over the original; however, the eShapeoko system easier to use and to adjust.
-however, the eShapeoko system easier to use and to adjust.
+* '''Belt configuration.'''  The eShapeoko has several choices of belt configuration for both NEMA17 and NEMA23 motors, including one with the belt doing a full 180 degree turn around the toothed pulley, for optimal contact.  Both belts-on-the-outside and belts-on-top configurations are supported, including the Shapeoko 2 configuration.
-* '''Belt configuration.'''  The eShapeoko has several choices of belt
+* '''Z axis spindle clearance.'''  The inverted Z axis of the Shapeoko 2 can cause the motor to interfere with the top of the spindle, unless it's mounted further away from the Z carriage.  This is undesirable, as it increases the leverage of the spindle weight and cutting forces over the weakest point of the machine, the X axis V-wheels.
 * TBD

← Older revision	Revision as of 18:33, 2 July 2014
(No difference)

@@ Line 76: / Line 76: @@
 === What are the differences between the eShapeoko and the Shapeoko 2? ===
-There are three main differences:
+There are three main differences.
-* '''The motor plates.'''  The Shapeoko 2 motor plates are much thicker.  This makes them more
+==== The motor plates ====
-rigid, but also significantly heavier.
+The Shapeoko 2 motor plates are much thicker.  This makes them more rigid, but also significantly heavier.
-* '''The inverted Z axis arrangement.'''  This greatly improves the rigidity of the Shapeoko 2
+==== The inverted Z axis arrangement ====
-compared to the original Shapeoko.  Its advantages include the fact that the Z motor
+This greatly improves the rigidity of the Shapeoko 2 compared to the original Shapeoko.  Its advantages include:
-does not move up and down and its inertia does not add to the load on the Z V-wheels,
+* the Z leadscrew does not need to lift the Z motor;
-and the fact that the Z rail never descends below the bottom of the X carriage.
+* the inertia of the Z motor does not add to the load on the Z V-wheels;
-The eShapeoko already has a much improved Z axis compared to the original Shapeoko, so it
+* the Z rail never descends below the bottom of the X carriage.
-would benefit less from
+The eShapeoko already has a much improved Z axis compared to the original Shapeoko, so it would benefit less from this change.  The inverted arrangement is not without disadvantages: it can have clearance issues, and it has less favourable leverage, especially when the tool is up.
-this change.  The inverted arrangement is not without disadvantages: it can have clearance
+==== The pulleys and belts ====
-issues, and it has less favourable leverage, especially when the tool is up.
+The Shapeoko 2 has GT2 belts; the eShapeoko has MXL belts.  GT2 belt is better, in that it has less inherent backlash and can be tensioned more.  However, in practice, the difference is small. The Shapeoko 2 has all-aluminium pulleys, whereas the eShapeoko has plastic pulleys (glass-filled polycarbonate) with aluminium hubs.  Well-made plastic pulleys last just as long as aluminium pulleys, so this makes no difference.
 === Will the eShapeoko adopt the Shapeoko 2 changes? ===

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:37, 27 March 2014
Line 73:		Line 73:
	They're about evenly matched. Each has some advantages over the other, and they both		They're about evenly matched. Each has some advantages over the other, and they both
	include several important improvements over the original Shapeoko.		include several important improvements over the original Shapeoko.
		+
		+	=== What are the differences between the eShapeoko and the Shapeoko 2? ===
		+
		+	There are three main differences:
		+	* '''The motor plates.''' The Shapeoko 2 motor plates are much thicker. This makes them more
		+	rigid, but also significantly heavier.
		+	* '''The inverted Z axis arrangement.''' This greatly improves the rigidity of the Shapeoko 2
		+	compared to the original Shapeoko. Its advantages include the fact that the Z motor
		+	does not move up and down and its inertia does not add to the load on the Z V-wheels,
		+	and the fact that the Z rail never descends below the bottom of the X carriage.
		+	The eShapeoko already has a much improved Z axis compared to the original Shapeoko, so it
		+	would benefit less from
		+	this change. The inverted arrangement is not without disadvantages: it can have clearance
		+	issues, and it has less favourable leverage, especially when the tool is up.
		+	* '''The pulleys and belts.''' The Shapeoko 2 has GT2 belts; the eShapeoko
		+	has MXL belts. GT2 belt is better, in that it has less inherent backlash and
		+	can be tensioned more. However, in practice, the difference is small.
		+	The Shapeoko 2 has all-aluminium pulleys, whereas the eShapeoko has plastic
		+	pulleys (glass-filled polycarbonate) with aluminium hubs. Well-made plastic
		+	pulleys last just as long as aluminium pulleys, so this makes no difference.
		+
		+	=== Will the eShapeoko adopt the Shapeoko 2 changes? ===
		+
		+	The eShapeoko already includes many of the Shapeoko 2 improvements over the
		+	original, or different design changes that address the same issues. See also
		+	the previous question.
		+
		+	We will not adopt the heavier motor plates as standard, nor the inverted Z axis
		+	arrangement. We plan to switch to GT2 belts in the medium term.
		+
		+	=== What does eShapeoko do better than Shapeoko 2? ===
		+
		+	* '''Belt tensioning.''' Both are a major improvement over the original;
		+	however, the eShapeoko system easier to use and to adjust.
		+	* '''Belt configuration.''' The eShapeoko has several choices of belt
		+	configuration for both NEMA17 and NEMA23 motors, including one with the
		+	belt doing a full 180 degree turn around the toothed pulley, for optimal
		+	contact. Both belts-on-the-outside and belts-on-top configurations are
		+	supported.
		+	* '''Z axis spindle clearance.''' The inverted Z axis of the Shapeoko 2
		+	can cause the motor to interfere with the top of the spindle, unless it's
		+	mounted further away from the Z carriage. This is undesirable, as it
		+	increases the leverage of the spindle weight and cutting forces over the
		+	weakest point of the machine, the X axis V-wheels.
		+	* TBD
		+
		+	=== What does Shapeoko 2 do better than eShapeoko? ===
		+
		+	TBD

@@ Line 61: / Line 61: @@
 The Z axis uses the same flanged bearing design as the eShapeoko, and a stainless steel
 M8 threaded rod as leadscrew, with the same acetal (Delrin) lead nut.  Instead of screws
-with spacers, the motor is held by male-male hex brass spacers.
+with spacers, the motor is held by threaded hex brass spacers.
 The most notable difference between the Shapeoko 2 and the eShapeoko is the