Hello all,
I've been milling around (pun intended) the site for close to a year trying to get enough info gathered to start one of these things! I'm looking at a 3-axis machine with about 24"x24"x8" of travel (XYZ).

I'm making the drawings for this in Inventor 11 and will export to acad and pdf, then share with everyone. I'm really hoping that I can put together a definitive parts list for anyone who might want to try recreating their own 3 axis machine! Attached is a google sketchup of the x axis slide system,i wanted to minimize any rocking action forward or sideways, so i'm going with 8 v grooves on each side of the X! Should be pretty sturdy.

So far this is what i have on the "to order list", although i have already bought a couple of these things (noted).

Z-Axis - Ordered and paid for!!
http://www.modularcnc.com/linear_slides

Power Supply - need to order
http://www.xylotex.com/24VDC_4-5A-PowerSupply.htm

3 Axis Controller - need to order
http://www.hobbycnc.com/hcncpro.php

Stepper Motors - 205oz/in - need to order
http://www.hobbycnc.com/steppermotors.php

Lead Screws - Ordered from ebay with acetal nuts!!
(qty: 4): 30" 1/2-10


My big question is... will these motors work with the controller i've picked out and is the power supply the right one?

Should have a first draft with 3d sketches by tuesday and a few pics of my X axis build! Any feedback would be great!

Thanks all

OK, So i spent most of the day thinking about the X axis design and how i was going to modify it for use on the Y... I just couldn't get around the idea that this v-bearing (at least in my application) is going to rock across the Y axis. I'm not sure if that is true but that is what my brain has convinced myself!

So, i thought about buying the X and Y axis just like i bought the Z axis. But, it upset me to think about buying all of the components because i'm not after a "kit" i'm after, at least some, original thought. So, going forward, if i can't build it or buy it at ace hardware. (Steppers and encoder aside) then i'm not going to use it. And side note to that is my tool collection: Hand drill, drill bits, a few taps, skill saw, and a table saw (which has a bent shaft that makes the blade wobble about 1/8").

I've attached a picture of my new axis designs. The setup is a tube 1"x1"x.0625"x6" with a flanged brass bushing/bearing on both ends, set screws all the way around each (more on that below).

I think it's going to work out really well! I'm super excited about it, but by the time i thought it up ace was closed... so tomorrow is my day!

Because i don't have anything that is level, i'm going to use blocks on the end of my shafts (1/2" zinc plated) so i can adjust it 4 ways. I'm also using set screws for the bronze bushing/bearing so i can adjust them individually also!

Does anyone have experience with this sort of setup? I'll post some actual pictures tomorrow.

The HobyCNC kit comes with a supply minus the transformer. Add a transformer and you have a power supply. Why not use that?

Today way a fantastic day as far as progress goes. Both forward and backwards.

First for the good. I spent a good part of the day working on yet another 3D revision, this time i think i have it. Attached you will find a drawing pack of what i have so far and a few pictures from the quasi built today.

Please note: The adjusting block was just a mock up to see if the concept will work. I plan on using a measuring device for the next one (This on was just eyeballed) :O

So, after work i headed over to Ace to gather the necessary components, 1x1x.125 tube, 1x1 angle, nuts, bolts, and the brass bearings. See pictures for more details.

Now the bad: my bolts were too short, i didn't buy a hacksaw, and i grabbed the wrong rod! They have zinc plated 1/2x36" rod and hot rolled and cold rolled 1/2x36" rod. I grabbed to cold rold! They don't even look they same as oneis shiny and the other is not. Plus, the cold rold has a seam! Not to good for sliding the brass over! This altogether haulted my project for the day. I'm a little frustrated, but excited about tomorrow none the less.

until then...

Anyone know why i can't upload a 4Mb zip file?

Also, thanks for the tip BobF.I didn't realize the kit came with a power supply. However, it looks like it is less expensive to buy everything seperatly? And, the PS i was looking at (see link in first post) is pre-assembled! oh, there i go again trying to get a "kit"... i'll have to think about this.

Today I picked up a half sheet of 3/4" MDF (I think it is oak vaneer?). Wow, i've never worked with MDF before, it's pretty nice! Really smooth around the cuts.

It took me about 2 hours but i cut out the end plates for the Y axis and the cross plate for the X. It's really starting to take shape! I'm super excited about tomorrow.

However, i might have to invest in a plug-in the wall skill saw. My 18V Ryobi 5 1/4" didn't last too long against the MDF...

I'll post picks when i get the rest cut out tomorrow. Until then..

p.s. I have all of my drawings in a zip file, but can't upload the .zip. Anyone know why? I'ts only about 4Mb and the limit says 8Mb for .zip...

The power supply is very simple and easy to assemble. It is 3 components, a transformer, a bridge rectifier, and a large filter cap. Assembly is a matter of making 8 connections. Although you should solder them all, most of the connections are made with crimp connectors.
The driver board has many more solder connections and requires more patience. I didn't find it very difficult and completed it in 2 evenings including mounting all the parts in the case.

BobF - Thanks for the info! I think i'll probably go that route when the time comes.

Secondly - I'm stuck on what ot use for my X and Y linear slides. I don't want to invest in bearings with trucks as they are out of my price range. I already have 4 brash flange bearings that i would like to use. My only problem is that i can't figure out how to mount them to the X axis?

The only thing i can come up with is drilling a perfectly quare hole through something and then plugging both ends with one of the brass bearings... Any ideas? How easy are the V style bearings like JGRO used? I think they look difficult, but it seems like quite a few people have used that style. Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks

For the past few weeks i've been toying with ideas and trying something out. Today, i finally got Moshamill v1 "running"!!!! Very excited. Up until i hooked the drill on to the acme screw, i didn't actually know if it was going to work, but alas, it did! Here are some pics and a few short videos.

Total cost so far:
20ft TGP 3/4 round = $30
Brash Bushings x 8 = $12
4x4x3/4 Oak Vaneer MDF = $16
1/4" ID bearings x 4 = 12
Acme Screws = $30
Random UHMW = $0 (scrap)
Fully Assembled Z Axis = $40

I Still have to buy the Motors, encoders, and power supply. But I'm really hoping to have this running by the end of the month!