Router cable management

FWIW, at: https://wiki.shapeoko.com/index.php/Shapeoko_3#Modifications

I suggested:

Add a rubber grommet to the cutout used to manage wiring on the end plates, #1152 RG-XJ from True Value works well (cut a slot to the center so as to load the wire).

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That third picture has the router cable positioned perfectly as a trawler net for clamp knobs, set perfectly to snag as many as possible.

I can’t see why that would be the recommended placing for the cable unless you never intended to use the Y axis.

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And as a newbie, I wouldn’t have known better. In fact, the positioning of the router cable caused my first issue with the XXL leading to one of my first posts on this forum: here

I couldn’t find the correct size over here, so ordered the nearest match I could get, but I’ll have to try harder. The problem is, no one sells ‘a grommet’ - I had to buy 68! :rofl:

I tried searching for #1152 RG-XJ but ended up finding your modification!

Any instruction that allows any cable to hang down below the bottom edge of the X axis rail is bad and should not be followed. That is a disaster waiting to happen. All my cabling is above the rail or hanging from the ceiling of my enclosure. I don’t have anything special, just a few zip ties with the screw hole connected to a piece of MDF on the ceiling.

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I did my normal “over-design, over-build” for cable management with monster drag chain and custom 3D printed brackets. If you have a printer, you can print them. The files are here. You can use all but the HDZ bracket, since my HDZ was an original BeaverCNC, but you might be able to modify it slightly depending on what Z axis you have.

I am able to get inside the drag chain:
1 x VFD wire (~5/8" diameter)
2 x 1/2" cooling tubes
1 x 1/4" air line
3 x stepper motor wires
1 x power wire
2 x 10ga ground wire

EDIT: Sorry, I fixed the Google Drive link to the files. I was at work when I posted it and I can’t access Google drive from there.
.

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I ran mine up along the vac hose

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Salut moi, je l’ai mis dans la chenille avec les autres câble, ça fait propre .

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Cut the plug off the router cable. Run the power cable through the cable chain and put a new plug on the end of the power cable.
Simple and tidy

I would not recommend this approach.

The router power cable is a source of noise and interference which the Shapeoko is known to be sensitive to. Separation between the noise source and the Shapeoko cabling is key to managing this issue.

When using drag chains it’s pretty easy to pop the covers and lay cable or hose into the chain without re-terminating.

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You are correct, that was bad advice on my part. I should have added that I used a triple insulated (for noise) cable which worked out great for me.

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@NewToThis I encountered the same issue yesterday when installing mine. Seems like a very weird way to recommend the wiring, I couldnt work out another way without making the cable to tight to travel all the way across to the Y1 carriage.
@72begin I like your swinging arm method of hanging I think I will switch to something similar if I decide not to build an enclosure.

Well, at least your router is shielded “from” emi/noise.

For the time being, I’m going to use cable ties and secure the router cable along the drag chain (as per @CrookedWoodTex’s solution), as this seems to be the most effective without stretching the cable and keeps it above the bottom of the X rail. Also, the BitRunner is on that side and I’ve sourced the correct sized grommet for the cable to slot though the cut-out!

I haven’t run a test cut yet to see if this causes an intereference problem, though.

“Interference” is not going to be from the router (unless you let the brushes wear down to their sparking mode. :smiley:)

“Interference” is going to be from the dust collection system. There are many posts about disconnects for you to start boning up on. :smiley:

That’s my next project!

When I assembled my XXL, I followed the instructions. But I was immediately concerned about the possibility of snagging the router cable. I tried various schemes to festoon it along the X rail, but couldn’t find any way to prevent slack from allowing the cable to droop. I finally decided to route it along the dust collection hose to the ceiling.

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I’ve had some success turning the router through 180 degrees and feeding the cable along the drag chain to ‘exit’ to the right, but I haven’t got my dust extraction resolved just yet.

I think I would prefer it to run along the DE hose, but I’d better see how the DE project works out first!

I see you’ve also turned the router through 180 degrees, to facilitate this!

Running the router power cord along the drag chain was an early suggestion, but it’s one which we’ve reversed since it seems to increase EMI, up to the ceiling seems the most expedient option, or off to the opposite side of the electronics (which is why the BitRunner goes on Y2).

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