Hey guys!

I'm starting the build on my next machine - machine #1 cuts good enough if i go really slow - otherwise it flexes... so I've started building the next one - better, stronger, faster ;)

here's a preview picture and for the full story - go HERE (http://www.jamiecunningham.name/the-news/1-latest-news/45-cnc-machine-2.html)

Whew, glad to see you separated it into more than one page! Good luck!

Wow, its amazing how fast you are. (do you have a day job?).

I think I started my first before your first, and now you are on your second... and I'm not even done with my first yet. Getting close though.

The new machine is looking good. I wish you well.

haha I sure do (have a day job - writing software) :)

Lets just say I'm a little obsessive compulsive (to say the least) LOL

@gir - yeah - I too got tired of waiting for that one pager to load and scrolling to the bottom :)

Hey guys - an update on the build... I was still getting some racking with those linear bearings so I started working on a new linear bearing idea - here's a few pics - but the full story (and one new video) is on my site :) (link in first post)

your link to the "full story" is dead.

Thanks for letting me know - I changed the category and that changed the link... duh hehe sorry :)

http://www.jamiecunningham.name/projects/cnc-projects/36-cnc-projects/45-cnc-machine-2.html

any progress today Jamie ?

I made some but not much to speak of... I'll be on it a lot tomorrow and I'll take some pictures and update :)

I will be following this thread, should be a good one.

Thanks :)

Actually I worked all weekend on the machine - but I'm struggling with the linear rails and motion system... Everything I try seems to not be good enough

and I think I figured out one problem... The angles I was using to hold the aluminum together just doesn't seem to hold well enough... When I was testing to see if the latest idea would rack - they loosened - so now I'm trying to make my own one piece corner braces from 1/8" think angle aluminum... I will upload pictures of the corner braces asap... I hoping that one piece will hold better that two seperate pieces, and I'm pretty sure that the 1/8" aluminum angle is stronger than those angles too (I can almost bend them by hand - but not the AL so that's my "gauge" :) )

Stay tuned... hehe

pics?
maybe the group can help figure this out with you....?

I ran home from work (car), so I could login and see your progress....

still no posts, eh?

Like you, I purchased some bars as well (20ea.) from that guy on ebay!

I am also wanting to create my own linear rail system, except for the Z,
which I bought a K2-5inch Z Axis.

I am really hoping that you come up with something great!

Ok Jamie....Happy 4th!

I have some off the shelf AL angle.... 1/8" thick x 1 Inch

It not only fits.... it "Snaps into place" !!!!

Got the 1 inch angle at Home Depot.....

Note that it only is a perfect fit with the 1/8" thickness,
also tried 1/16" which was way too loose.

Well, do you think this will help/work for us?

http://nwchoppers.com/CNC/EXTRUDED_LINEAR_RAIL.jpg

http://nwchoppers.com/CNC/EXTRUDED_LINEAR_RAIL2.jpg

THAT is very cool - but I would be afraid that it would slip into the slot on one side without any screws or anything... still that's a great find! :)

so - actually on my machine.... sorry no updates in the last week - I've just been trying different things and didn't want to post until I found something that worked.... and I think I got something that is going to work great - as soon as I hunt down the digital camera - I'll take some pictures

but I should have the Y axis completed today - so there will be a good update tonight for sure :)

ok, so I decided that you may be correct on the slip into one side idea...
so..... I tried to push on the angle, it would not budge, so.... I tried to remove it from the extruded bar.....

it was so tight I needed a screw driver for leverage!

I really think this deserves some additional consideration...... but am waiting to see what you have come up with.

sorry - didn't get a chance to take pictures today - but I will for sure tomorrow...

I did make some progress I think today but it's not complete and I want to finish the idea and make sure it's good before I post again (as this is my third idea LOL)

Stay tuned :)

I think I have what I want - at least there's no racking so far! :) - as I say in my post - I'm not "sold" on what I have for the X-Axis - but the Y-Axis I think is finally done - of course I'll have to redesign my motor mounts and screw holders - but that's OK I was going to do that anyway because when I had the 5/16 screw on there for testing it was whipping like crazy - so I have to move to a thicker lead screw anyway... :)

http://www.jamiecunningham.name/projects/cnc-projects/45-cnc-machine-2.html?start=6


I think it's about time I worked out a base for the machine as I still have those little 2X4s holding things up LOL

have any pictures of CNC1 on your site, didnt see them, maybe i missed em.

i'll be checking back to see progress on #2!

oh gosh there are a ton of pics of the first machine :) unfortunately they are all on one post! hehe so it might take a few seconds to download...

Here's a direct link http://www.jamiecunningham.name/projects/cnc-projects/36-cnc-projects/44-home-made-cnc.html

so have you made any further progress?

Actually - nope... I've been working on things and actually right now I have the whole thing apart trying to figure out the base / support / and bed... after getting things together from the the last update I realized that once I got the X-axis on - I didn't really have much clearance for a bed - so I pulled everything apart and am working on figuring that out :)

sounds great..... gonna be a good build!

Well - my daughter took our digital camera to a friends house - so I can't take pictures yet.... but I'd bought some aluminum square extrusion (25 pieces 1"X1"X2' or so) and I made a bed from them over the weekend - on top of those I will put a good solid piece of plywood or MDF for a sacrificial piece (I think)

and I also modified my linear trucks to be a one piece assembly instead ot two separate pieces per side - what I did (and pictures would be really nice here) was use some threaded rod to connect the two pieces through where the bearings are -so instead of a bolt holding the bearing on - the bearings are on the threaded rod (hope that makes a little sense - I'll take pics as soon as possible)

anything?

Just got the camera back today and took a few pictures -I'll update the site in a little bit - but here's the pics for now :)

basically this is a couple of looks at the new linear truck idea and the bed I put together

Oh baby, that looks solid! Good job!

I am curious about the travel of your Z axis...
it does not look like there is much clearance between
the work surface and bottom of gantry.

Thanks Gir! so far so good :)

@nwc - there's hardly any clearance at all underneath the work surface - maybe an inch... but that should not affect my Z axis at all as that will be on the other side of the table - and I can move my z axis up and down if I want to with this design... I have to take some more pictures and I'll put a board down as a illustrative table so you can see what I mean :)

Sorry to double post :) but I got those pics I promised - and one video!

http://www.jamiecunningham.name/projects/cnc-projects/45-cnc-machine-2.html?start=8

I started working on the motor mounts and bearing mounts today too - but there's nothing to see on that... I will post all these NC and Mastercam files on my site for people to download if they want to too :)

Check out the update! :)

Thanks for any dxf and nc files!

looks like yer on yer way now..... !?!

Looks like a promising design -- looks like you're getting some wear on the extrusion, but that will probably stop once the bearings smooth everything out. Where's the screw going to go in this design?

BTW, if you want some other ideas, feel free to check out the parts on my website, which are basically meant to interface with 8020 aluminum extrusion.

Best regards,

Ahren
www.cncrouterparts.com

Hi Ahren! I actually already checked out your site and that's where my current idea comes from :) I was going to buy a couple of your parts but they weren't perfect for my design as i didn't want to bolt steel onto the extrusion - and your motor mounts are close too - but I'd need them longer I think... in addition - it's tough to buy already made parts when you're trying to make this up as you go :) hehe - I SHOULD have bought plans - but where's the fun in that? haha

No problem with making the journey yourself -- that's part of the fun! Good luck with your design. If it turns out well, maybe I'll borrow some of your ideas for the next generation of parts! I'll keep watching your thread with interest.

Best regards,

Ahren
www.cncrouterparts.com

I just won two different sets of linear rails and bearings off ebay - so I'm waiting for the second set to come and I will be finishing up the Z Axis for the machine... I've designed a couple of motor mounts and bearing mounts and I will cut them sometime this week to see if they work

pics and progress (and my NEWEST hobby) - coming soon ;)

any new progress ????

I got one set of linear rails and bearings - but it's the bearings without the housing - so I'm still waiting for the other ones to come before I start making any kind of housing for the truck :) hopefully it comes today!

Any progress with your Z ?

Actually I JUST got the other rails today and I think these are going to work really good - very stocky rails and bearings! - I'll take pics ASAP :)

Right on.... so the z will use linear rail?

There's a really good possibility, yes :) These other rails seem very solid and might work perfectly - I'd have to figure out how and where to put the lead screw - which is what I'll be doing next ;)

Hey guys - got a little update... started playing around with mounting the Z axis rails this weekend - I'm sure they will be sturdy enough - but now I'm worried about the X axis rails - and will probably bolt everything together with the plans to replace them in the near future with help from my other project I've been working on ;) check out the site for the update and the new project!

UPDATE IS HERE (http://www.jamiecunningham.name/projects/cnc-projects/45-cnc-machine-2.html?start=9)
NEW PROJECT IS HERE (http://www.jamiecunningham.name/projects/foundry/53-aluminum-foundry.html)

Saweeeet!
You are making great progress.... it looks* like a machine already!
get 'r done :)

I've been thinking about it and I think that I will add another X "Rail" and two more of those MDF bearing trucks - I think that will really solidify things and will completely prevent that little bit of flexing I was getting with just the one X Axis Truck - plus I already have one side of the truck CNC'd so I just have to make one more and throw another bar on :)

it's been a week or so....
any updates ???/

Sorry guys - been sick for over a week and just coming out of it - so I haven't done a thing

although - my cement for my furnace should be dry by now - so I think I'll probably start melting some aluminum and possibly make my bearing trucks from AL instead of MDF ;)

but of course I'll post pictures!

Jamie

dead or alive?

Yup - the project is still alive :)

I'm still in the figuring out how to cast aluminum so I can make some parts for the machine though... I am melting the aluminum just fine now - now I gotta work on the casting part :)

Yup - this project is still alive... trying to still make progress in casting aluminum parts for it and I'm making some progress on that end so hopefully I'll be posting pics soon of the new parts!

:)

While not a whole lot of progress on the machine itself - I've completed (pretty much) my other supporting projects! I now have a Aluminum Foundry where I can make parts for the machine now!

Some updates on those projects (if you're interested):

I built a few burners for the foundry - check those out HERE (http://www.jamiecunningham.name/projects/foundry/56-homemade-propane-burner.html?start=1)

I've also upgraded the foundry with actual refractory cement! - check the latest furnace out HERE (http://www.jamiecunningham.name/projects/foundry/53-aluminum-foundry.html?start=3)

There's also a picture of my first official cast part (lost foam method)

and I did also update the CNC project showing the new part too :) go HERE (http://www.jamiecunningham.name/projects/cnc-projects/45-cnc-machine-2.html?start=10)for that!

Hope you enjoy the pics and story :)

Hey Guys!

Made a little progress on the machine this weekend! I cast the Z Axis lead screw bearing holders and installed them - check out a few different views of my Z Axis here: http://www.jamiecunningham.name/projects/cnc-projects/45-cnc-machine-2.html?start=12

Thanks!

Hello everybody!

This project is STILL alive :) I bought a Shopsmith and have had a diversion for the past few months! but I'm jumping back on this one and going to hit it hard for the next few weeks at least! :)

if the Shopsmith and woodworking projects interest you - there's a few posts at my site :)

http://www.jamiecunningham.name

Oh - and I WILL be building some kind of CNC tool holder for the Shopsmith Lathe!

Hey guys!

Worked yesterday (and plan to today) on some new ideas for the CNC!

After browsing a few new threads I had a couple of ideas for yet another linear bearing... Here's a teaser pic and the full write up is at my site - HERE (http://www.jamiecunningham.name/projects/cnc-projects/45-cnc-machine-2.html?start=5#josc14) :)

Hey guys!

After working this last idea I thought for sure it would be solid - the rails run so smooth and are really tight - but once I put one on each side and connect a beam between them it still racks! ugh...

There's something inherently wrong I guess with the plan... Should I abandon the center drive screw idea and just drive both sides or is there something else I should look at to prevent the racking?

if I should drive both sides - should I get another axis controller and motor or drive both sides with a belt or something?

Thanks for any tips! :)

Read through this thread. It might give you some ideas.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51485

:idea:

ah yes! Thanks so much for reminding me of that thread - I'd read it a while ago and completely forgot (at the time I wasn't interested in racking so didn't really pay attention and commit it)

Thanks I'll give that a try!

Alright! Thanks BigMike for the link to that thread - totally solved the racking problem for me!

I'll attach a few pics and here's a link to the full pictures and video of the latest post

http://www.jamiecunningham.name/projects/cnc-projects/45-cnc-machine-2.html?start=6

You are welcome. I was glad to be of service.
:banana:
Mike

Alright! made a little progress in the last week (made a lead screw nut from Delrin and the Nema 23 motor holder) but we went on a little vacation and couldn't post anything until now :)

http://www.backyard-workshop.com/projects/cnc-projects/45-cnc-machine-2.html?start=7

I also redesigned the site and gave it a new name! :) Let me know what you think

http://www.backyard-workshop.com

I also made a video of the entire casting process for the motor holder - from foamy to finishing if anyone's interested I'll be posting that up a little later :)

Hey guys - as promised I posted up a video of me going through the lost foam aluminum casting process for that motor mount... in case anyone's interested :)

http://www.backyard-workshop.com/projects/metal-casting/66-lost-foam-video.html

Hey everybody!

Worked over the weekend (which seems to be about the only time I have for projects) and made a little progress.

I made what I call a "Z-Axis Adapter" so i could mount the Z-Axis rails opposite from the linear bearing assembly

Full story and some pictures are here (http://www.backyard-workshop.com/projects/cnc-projects/45-cnc-machine-2.html?start=9) and here's a few pics for here too

It's coming together and I feel the end is nearing :)

Machine is coming together starting to look like a machine now :)

Slow and steady :)

http://www.backyard-workshop.com/projects/cnc-projects/45-cnc-machine-2.html?start=10

Hey guys - just a small update today... I'm having some trouble casting the Router Mount part so I took a break and made my Y-Axis Lead Screw Nut - so I could make a little progress :)

it's not much but every little step gets me closer! :)

Build Link (http://www.backyard-workshop.com/projects/cnc-projects/45-cnc-machine-2.html)

Hey guys - just a quick update! believe it or not hehe

I've got the machine nearly done just have a few more things to tidy up - but it's working! :)

Here's a few pictures and there's some more detail in my post on my site

http://www.backyard-workshop.com/projects/cnc-projects/45-cnc-machine-2.html?start=13

Jamie

Hey everybody - been a while since I posted and I just wanted to give an update

Picture says it all - I'm about 99% completed - all that's left is to wire the home and limit switches and maybe neaten the cables up some more

There's a few more pictures at the site and a few projects that I have made already so if you're interested go check them out

I also redesigned the site (again) so let me know what you think

and if anyone ever needs a website - let me know I can help you out! :)

Just a quick one - I've posted up a few signs I've made and on one there's a video - so check them out if you'd like :)

First Sign with Video (http://www.backyard-workshop.com/projects/cnc-projects/74-custom-engraved-sign-kevlar.html)

Second Sign for Father's Day (http://www.backyard-workshop.com/projects/cnc-projects/75-fathers-day-sign.html)

If anyone's in the Clearwater, FL area - I'd be more than happy to make some parts for their CNC machine - so don't hesitate to ask! :)

I also wanted to say thanks to the community and all the help I've gotten from CNC zone - you guys rock! :)

Resurrecting old threads again :)

I've reworked my Y axis now and just made a new Z Axis mounting plate - I figured I should update the old thread just in case ;)

I made the mount so I could rotate the router in 45 degree increments, so I can do 45 degrees and 90 degrees!

Here's a few pictures and there's more pictures and a small video HERE (http://www.backyard-workshop.com/projects/cnc-projects/93-new-z-axis-router-mounting-.html)

I've also been working on my 4th axis ideas and have worked out a few things - not finished yet but if you want to see a "hint" of it - check out my Youtube video - it's at the end of the video!

YouTube- Cheap and Easy DC Motor Controller