I'm looking for links and info on CNC table building in the UK. Is it happening here or is just the guys in the US that are haveing all the fun ?
Curently looking for reasonably priced linear v rails and v groove bearings.
Any info from the UK on plasma table gear and control systems would be useful.
Thanks Al

Hi Al, I'm also Al in the UK. I'm planning to start a table in about 3 months or so. I'll be putting my Hypertherm 1650 into it and building a table for sheet / plate up to 3 x 1.5 m.

I haven't started sourcing bits here yet, so post up if you find any sources.

Cheers, Al.

Great to know that the Uk has some interested parties.
Do you know what you are going to base it on ?
I am favouring:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57192&page=7

Your location says you are in France ?

Regards

Al

Hi, sorry for the delay, yes I was in France - too many forums to update my details on I guess (too lazy). back in Hampshire now, where are you?

I'm still cruising through other builds picking out things I like. I know a guy in Minneapolis running a 1650 on a CNC, so I'll probably be pestering him for info until he starts ignoring my emails.

I haven't started sourcing parts yet, but these guys could be useful if you don't know about them: http://www.hpcgears.com/

I'm still mid way through about 5 other projects, including a powerhammer for my forge, so I won't be starting for a few months.

Cheers, Al.

Hi

I'm near Lichfield up in the midlands.

Have included a pic (drawing) of the start of my table approx 4 x 4. Running on V rails with timing belts and steppers.

any thoughts on the control gear, mach 3 etc?

i would really like to add a forth axis so I can cut tube, wonder if thats possible?

Just for info :

I have a small manufacturing company making steering wheels for race karts.
www.calibaperformance.co.uk and also parts for HGV's www.truckbars.co.uk.

We have some cnc equipment such as a lathe and a big mandrell tube bender which does 2 1/2" stainless. Manual Bridgeport knee mill, and some other bits and pieces. We also do some polyurethane moulding. Quite capable for a small outfit.

Cheers Al

Hi,
I am in Nottingham and sill in the research stage, I have decided on Mach3 software but stuck between two designs for the table, thinking 4ft x 4ft or 4ft x 8ft. Also looking at using leadscrew rarther than rack and pinion (Costs). I have purchsed my plasma cutter (eBay) and hopeing to finish my home build compressor by mid august

Cheers Ian

hi all,

im currently out of the uk but i built a machine there last winter, here are a few of my experiences and where i got my parts from:

Motors and drives:

Motion Control Products, very good service, very cheap good quality stuff, got some 12Nm steppers for cheaper than any where i could find in the usa even before shipping. Drives are same headline price as geckos but no shipping / vat to pay so work out cheaper and have very similar specs

V groove;

I was quoted some outrageous prices by hepco motion for the genuine bishop wisecarver stuff, like 70 pounds / meter so i bought the imitation stuff from the usa, was cheaper, but had to be cut into 34 inch lengths, the shipping was expensive and then i got clobbered with vat and an additional handling charge by the courier. Shortly after the hepco rep calls me up and says could he sell me anything and i said no, after some discussion i found he could slash the prices quoted to me making it comparable to the usa stuff, so if i did it again i would call him first.

Linear rails:

I got some short lengths used from ebay in taiwan or somewhere for pennies but anything longer than 2 feet or so is really expensive to ship so not worthwhile

Software:

Mach 3 and sheetcam of course

Aluminium profiles:

I got them from a company in the midlands, i dont recall the name and they were excellent also just as cheap as any of the usa stuff i found

Drivetrain:

I got belts and pulleys and bearings from an online company called the bearing boys, i think the stuff could have been cheaper if i got it from a bearing house but they had a good site and a great selection of stuff so it worked for me.

Hope ive helped!

Matt, thanks for info. Really useful, just need to find a friendly Hepco rep.