This electronics box was designed to accommodate the electronics components used for the recent upgrade. In the past, there was no electronics cabinet used. All of the components were just sitting on a shelf below the CNC router and all of the wiring was run directly from the machine to each component. With this new setup, there are disconnects on all of the wiring to allow easier service and upgrades to components.
The box layout was designed to separate the signal wiring and power wiring to minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI). The VFD is kept outside of the cabinet since it is a major EMI producer and I want easy access in case I would like to control it manually. All of the I/O and stepper signal wiring is on the top part of the enclosure, and exits the box through the top group of connectors. The power wiring and supplies are all located in the bottom part of the enclosure and run through the lower group of connectors. There is a buffer of more than 4 inches (10 cm) between signal and power wiring.
The layout also accounts for cooling and airflow. Cool air enters through a filter at the bottom of the front panel. Heat will rise off the heat sinks on the motor drivers, generating vertical airflow, leading to the exhaust fan that pulls air out of the top of the rear panel. The box will stand up in a vertical orientation.
The carbon fiber was made in-house, then the panels were machined with the Torsion CNC router, including engraving the text and graphics on the back panel.
