Alternate between VMWare and Docker on Windows

If you decide you want to try out Docker on your Windows machine and already have VMWare Workstation installed, you will be in for an unexpected treat the next time you attempt to start one of your VMs:

As it turns out, Docker for Windows relies on Hyper-V (Microsoft's virtualization technology) which is a completely incompatible hypervisor with VMWare.  If you do some searching on the VMWare site, they are happy to show you how to totally remove Hyper-V in a knowledge base article.

If you want to do something a little less drastic, and alternate between the two products, you can simply disable Hyper-V.

Disable Hyper-V:
bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off
reboot Windows
(now VMWare will work, and Docker will not)

Enable Hyper-V:
bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto
reboot Windows
(now Docker will work, and VMWare will not)

Make sure to run those commands from a command prompt that has been launched as administrator.  Not ideal by any stretch of the imagination, but if you are looking to have both capabilities on a dev workstation, this will get you through...

Root 3 CNC - Adding the Spindle Mount to the Z-Axis

The 80mm Spindle Mount Assembly connects to the Z-Axis via the MGN12c linear bearing blocks, as well as the 8mm threaded trapezoidal lead screw.  Start the process by adding a 24-tooth 8mm 3M HTD pulley to the lead screw and securing it with a set screw.

Roughly set the spindle mount assembly in place.  Thread the lead screw though the top mount, through the spindle mount assembly, then finally through the bottom mount.  If your 3D Parts are a little warped/missized like mine were, you will need to drill out the holes on the spindle mounts a bit, to ensure they align with the MGN12c blocks.

To fasten the assembly to the MGN12c blocks, the following parts were used:

• 16x M3 x 12mm screws (0.5mm threads)
• 16x M3 lock washers
• 16x M3 washers

The following picture is out of sequence (it was taken while testing part fittings/alignment) but is the only photo I have which demonstrates how the inner screws are fastened.  A Wiha precision screwdriver is inserted through the front of the 3D printed assembly to tighten the screw.  To help with alignment, another screwdriver was used as leverage to move the small M3 screws/washers into position before tightening.

Proceed with fastening all 16 screws.  For my build, I completed the 8 outer screws before attempting the inner screws.

Once fully attached, the trapezoidal lead screw can be cut to length.  Mark the appropriate location, and then use a hacksaw to remove the excess length.  Use a file on the finished cut to knock down any sharp edges.

Root 3 CNC - Building the Spindle Mount Assembly

To start the spindle mount assembly, the following parts were used:

• 2x MGN12C 80mm Spindle Mount 3D Printed Parts
• 2x M3 x 35mm screws (0.5mm threads)
• 4x M3 nylon lock nuts
• 2x Brass T8 Trapezoidal Screw Nut

For each of the 3D Printed Parts, fasten the T8 lead screw nut with 4 screws and lock nuts.

To combine the two parts into one spindle mount assembly, the following parts were used

• 2x High-Strength Steel Threaded Rod 10-24 Thread Size, 4" Long
• 8x 10-24 flanged lock nuts

Insert the threaded rods, and attach on both ends with a flanged lock nut:

Add the second spindle mount and surround with flanged lock nuts.  Temporarily add the 8mm lead screw to check alignment, and then tighten all nuts.

The spindle mount assembly is now ready for mounting on the Z-Axis:

Root 3 CNC - Lesson Learned, Extra Parts

So it turns out that China is a really long distance away...  That really doesn't sink in mentally until you need a part, you can't source it in the USA, and it takes 7 weeks to arrive.  Lesson learned - when you are ordering parts directly from China, go ahead and order an extra part up front and save yourself weeks of time when one of the originally ordered parts arrives damaged.