Hey People,
When I heard about the possibility of such a Kit, I thought YES PLEASE! I actually posted about my enthusiasm on the FB page, but didn’t get anyone wanting to chat about it. Anyone here have interest in talking?
Cheers,
Adam
Now that I’m in patiently wait mode
First question 
If a when this cool kit comes out, are there any concerns I should be aware of in terms of using it in a LongMill MK2 frame? Rigidity? Would I need to dial back certain settings on the SLB or gSender?
I’m tempted to I email someone at SienciLabs, but want to be respectful of their time..
Thanks!
Hi Adam,
As far as I know, the closed loop biggest pro is the accuracy you get from a system that constantly corrects itself. No more lost steps that can build up into the machine and bleep up projects.
I speculate that this feature helps to actualy increase feeds and speeds with more confident that missing steps wont be a problem as quickly and sneaky as they used to be, keeping you away from pushing your machine to the edge out of fear that it might backfire on you.
It wont be a fixall, but it will help to push your longmill a wee more.
Hey Eddie,
Thanks for your input. This is very helpful!
I’ve definitely had some missed steps in the past so that’s encouraging to hear. I’ll also get some spring loaded backlash nuts before hand. The most wear I’m seeing on my LM MK2 are the black wheels.
But I am excited to get off of USB on the com side of things, and all the rest that would come with this kit.
I’ll most likely go Spindle as well to yield the most benefit.
Cheers, and thanks again!
To be honest, I’m mostly hoping for the SLBExt being available as my only complaint with the SLB is the limitation to 24V. If it’s only available as a kit with the closed loop steppers, then I’m likely still on board (depending on price), but I still haven’t convinced myself that missed steps are something I’m overly concerned about.
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You will be convinced once you experience the difference of not having to slow down everything for fear of a lost step and the scrapped work piece that is likely to result from that missed step.
You are right. Missed steps doesn’t have to be at big a deal. I havent even looked into the closed loop stepper stuff because it seems their only selling point and my machine isn’t losing much stepperoos
As long as I can overlap contour carves to laser etches like I do now, missed steps isn’t (yet) a problem.
It is however nice to have them as a possible replacememt option when time starts killing on tha mill.
Luckily missed steps that I experienced were on test pieces. I do wonder if my LM MK2 30x30 will hold up (rigidity wise) to the gains in speed those closed stepper motors bring?
As I said, I haven’t looked much into the new optional cl-stepper set, but lets say they are monsters that can snap a longmills back (I doubt they are much more powerfull than the ones installed.), settings can be dialed down.
It’ll be fine.
A very valid point!!
I was on their site last night and saw the SLBExt available for like $250cdn!
Ah, thanks for pointing that out. I haven’t been watching. And they have the closed-loop stepper kit upgrade for Longmill machines. I’ll have to mull this over.
LM2.5, SLB. Am considering the upgrade. Question re the “old” motors and SLB - any options for repurposing or is it just an addition to the recycle box?
@LeckieSaid Keep in mind, though, that the SLB-EXT is only part of the necessary components for the upgrade. You also need the close stepper motors and any mounting hardware. The complete upgrade kit is in the store for $560US, $795Cdn.
Will this upgrade truly improve Mk2 performance? I understand the benefit of the elimination of lost steps but would really appreciate an improvement of movement speeds. Bought the SLB after it was stated an improvement in speed only to find I had to dial back to original speeds as well as reducing acceleration on the X axis to prevent an apparent skip in axis movement on a regular basis. Upgraded to the self adjusting backlash nuts but found the X axis unit resulted in a substantial strain especially with the additional weight of a spindle. Love the machine but wary of investing more as opposed to outright replacement. Hope this cures a host of issues.
Couldn’t stand the suspense, Love Sienci products so much the Upgrade is now on order and anxiously awaiting it’s arrival. Altmill will be next, have to own all their products at this point.
Just installed the Closed Loop Package, WOW what a difference!
Works Great!!
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Still a beginner - do not have the inductive sensors installed on my LM2.5. The CSM Kit comes with 4 inductive sensors. Am looking for advice: SHOULD I install? MUST I install? Tx
It’s on my list for January 2026 upgrades
I upgraded my MK2 with the CLSM kit, and I must say it’s an absolute beast now. No more fear of missed steps or being afraid to push the limits. I’ve done some test cuts in mdf at maximum speed up to 0.5” doc with a 1/4 end mill and couldn’t be happier with the result!
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Contacted Sienci re my Q on whether inductive sensor installation required with CLSM Kit. Response: “you need to install everything that comes with the kit in order for it to work properly”.
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@Retiree When you think about it that makes perfect sense. The benefit of the close-loop-motor system is that the machine “knows” where it is at all times. That would not be possible if it didn’t start from a known position each time = XY machine zero.
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