KRMx01 Dragon Cable Upgrade Project

You might be asking: What the heck is a dragon cable?

Dragon cable a movable cable carrier used to allow your CNC cables to move without binding. This type of cable carrier is also know as E-Cable or E-Chain. You can purchase E-Chain commercial, but it's so expensive that most Do-it-yourselfer's are forced to go the surplus rout.

 

In this project you will use your own CNC to make your own E-Chains. Two complete cables, should cost you well under $50. In addition to the materials listed in the project, you will also need a 1/16" router bit.

The router bit shown here is a Freud 04-096 1/16" with a 1/4" shaft. You will use the bit to cut a full link set out of 1/8" material. The link shown below was cut out of 1/8" hardboard. I like this material because its cheap, and can be painted.

 

 

The dragon cable consists of set of parts, like the ones shown below. These make up an inside and outside link.

 

 

Shown here are two links are attached to create a full link.

 

A head and tail are attached to multiple links, as shown below.

 

The links are designed so that they wont let the cable collapse on its self. The design allows you to install or remove a cable even after the dragon cable is attached to your machine.

You will make a cable that will fit the X axis of your CNC. For the KRMx01 you will make 15 full links.

 

You will make a cable that will fit the Y axis of your CNC. For the KRMx01 you will make 18 full links.

 

 

The CNC cables are inserted into the dragon cable by slipping them in between the two upper braces. Later you can attache the two braces with a #6 machine screw.

 

The complete dragon cable project can be down loaded here. It's in PDF format. The Gcode needed to run your CNC can be found here. If you are not using the KRMx01 CNC to machine the parts, I recommend doing a couple test runs with your Z axis disabled.

If you want the drawing files for this project they are available on the KRMx01 Companion CD in AI, EPS, and DXF form. The CAM files are also included in Vectric Cut-2D form.

 

See the dragon cable in action.

 

 

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