Altmill 4×8 Specifications

General Information

***Included with your AltMill 4×8***

• SLB-EXT controller and emergency stop
• Partially pre-assembled rigid frame
• Inductive sensors for homing
• Sturdy metal legs with the ability to add 4ft wide shelving underneath

***Not included with your AltMill 4×8***
Check out our recommended products tabs for an ideal set up, but note the following ARE NOT included with your order:

• Computer or laptop
• Spindle
• End mills or bits
• T-tracks
• Waste board (e.g. MDF 4ft x 8ft sheet)
• Set of metric Allen keys, standard bits or drill for assembly

The AltMill 4×8 does not come with an ATC System or Spindle Kit. They must be purchased separately.

Machine Dimensions and Cutting Areas

See here for the table leg drawings: AltMill Table Leg Dimensions

Carton Sizes & Weights

For the 4×8 machine:

1x 4×8 Supplemental Parts Box – 40lb, 18”x8”x22”
1x 4×8 Leg Box – 75lb, 38”x11”x12”
2x 4×8 Rail Box – 70lb, 66”x11”x12”
1x Table Support Box – 42lb, 64”x11”x12”
1x 4×8 X-axis Rail Box – 70lb, 66”x11”x12”

Power Requirements

2 Outlets required: 1x 120 VAC for the AltMill, as well as 1x 120 VAC or 220 VAC single phase for the optional spindle.

AltMill (SLB-EXT Control Board)

• 100/130 VAC – 10A to the control board, Type B NEMA 5-15P plug.

Spindle

• 1.5kW spindle kit, 100-130 VAC, 15A, Type B NEMA 5-15P plug
• 2.2kW spindle kit, 220-240 VAC single phase, 20A, NEMA 6-15P plug

If you live in a country with 220V/240V power we recommend using a transformer to convert to 110V/120V for the control board or get a high quality 220V power supply, comparable to our power supply.

• To solely run the machine, you need a rating above 500W
• To run the machine and 1.5KW spindle, you need a rating of 2000W

I would like to source my own spindle, what should I be aware of?

• For spindles 2.2KW or above, you will need to install extra 220VAC wiring
• The AltMill comes with an 80mm spindle mount, we do not have larger diameter mounts at the moment
• The VFDs that may work with our controller are: Huanyang v1, Huanyang P2A, Yalang YL620, H-100, and GS20, however they are not plug-and-play — read this article for further information

Specifications

Max cutting speed: Approx. 25,000 mm/min (1,000 IPM) in Y-axis; 16,000mm/min (590 IPM) in X-axis; 6,000mm/min (236 IPM) in Z-axis

Repeatability: ±0.05 mm (±0.002″)

Motion System: Rack and pinion using precision gearbox reduction on Y-axis; 16mm precision ball screw on X-axis; 12mm precision ball screw on Z-axis

Linear Motion: 15mm profiled linear guide rails and bearing blocks on all axes

Drive Motors: High-Torque NEMA 23 Closed-Loop Stepper Motors. 3NM torque on Y-axis; 2NM torque on X and Z axes.

Control System: SLB-Ext 32-bit controller with grblHAL firmware

Power Requirements: 120VAC, Single Phase, 4A (Spindle power requirements listed separately)

Weight: Approximately 400lbs as assembled, not including weight of add-ons such as spindles

Spindle Mount: Supports 80mm spindles and routers

Frame Construction: Rigid frame and linear motion design using HGR15 linear guides and ball screws on all axis mounted to a custom-designed, machined aluminum extrusion; with sturdy metal legs with the ability to add 4ft wide shelving underneath for sheet goods

Electronics: 32-bit SLB-Ext controller running grblHAL firmware, with signal outputs to integrated driver stepper motors. Read more about this here.

Operating temperature: Expect reliable operation between 5-30°C shop temperature (can be colder or hotter outside) as long as you give your machine time to acclimate to its environment to avoid cold-running or building up moisture on the electronics. Using these methods some users have reported running in as low as -20°C though wireless mice or keyboards reportedly become unreliable. Generally though if you’re comfortable your machine will be comfortable.

Operating humidity: Best results will occur from a balanced humidity, too high and you can expect the moisture to degrade or even short the electronics, cause higher dust buildup, and swell the MDF wasteboard whereas dry air can cause static charges to build up more easily, so a poorly grounded machine will experience electronic disruptions

Storage: All components have a wide operating temperature range such as -20 – 50°C for the stepper motors, -40 – 85°C for the control box, and -40 – 105 °C for the motor connectors. As long as the AltMill is kept stationary it can survive being stored at nearly any temperature as long as ambient humidity isn’t too high (causes degradation of electrical components and potential surface rusting of exposed steel components)

Materials capable of cutting:

• Woods: Softwoods, hardwoods, plywood and  MDF
• Plastics: Acrylic, PVC, HDPE, Polycarbonate and  ABS
• Composites: Carbon Fiber, Dibond and ACM
• Non-Ferrous Metals: Aluminum, brass and copper (with appropriate lubrication/misting and cutting strategies)
• Ferrous Metals: Carbon steel, alloy steel and  cast iron (with appropriate lubrication/misting and cutting strategies)
• Foams: High-density sign foam and insulation foam

Add-Ons

Find specifications about add-ons like the spindle, AutoZero touch plate and gControl panel on this page.