I've been reading the forums for about a week now, and I want to build a CNC router. I want to be able to do light work, such as plotting PCB's for chemical etching, and the heavier type of work, ie. plastic molds from aluminum billet. The gantry will be moving with a station table. Three axis, 18" by 12" by 6" travel. I will use aluminum channel and a homemade linear bearing for the gantry slide. I will use some cheap 1/4"-20 couplers welded to the other axis. The stepper/threaded rod coupler will be some flexible tubing.
1)Initially, I would like to use 1/4" 20 threaded rod, and eventually buy some preci$ion acme threaded rod, if it's worth the expense. Will it be difficult to upgrade?
2)I have the stepper motors, three 24 volt 200 s/r. When I tested the steppers holding torque, I could not rotate by hand (1/4" diameter shaft).
3)For the frame, I would like to use some aluminum square tubing. I have the ability to weld aluminum, but should I? Would I loose precision if I welded the frame using a right angle clamp instead of bolting it together with some hardware?
4) How should I connect the threaded rod to the bearings? I don't have access to a lathe.  |