Small, aluminium cutting mill

[RotarySMP]

Hi Wizard, thanks for the encouragement.

We haven RB67 at work which hasn't been used in years. Even has the polaroid back with it.

Today I made the Z ball screw nut carrier.

[RotarySMP]

Microcarve has really hit on something with the threaded rod putting MDF in compression. I just fitted the gantry cross beam to glue the two pieces together, and it is impressive how rigid the frame is already.

Since I didn't finish the CAD model, and wasn't sure how much overhang to leave between the spindle center line, and the gantry beam, I haven't cut off the excess MDF on the side panels yet.

Rather than CAD modelling (sometimes I really like it, sometimes I like fit and see fabrication), I just laid out my rails and ballscrews and guessimated the overhang.

[RotarySMP]

Spent some time updating the model, as I need to work out the rail spacings to have space for the ball screw nuts.

[mattmark]

just started viewing this thread - i remember manually trying to make an electric guitar in highschool.. starting doing this cnc thing recently and have been making photo/video support stuff!

would love to make a gantry/routing table and make guitars...

matt

[megeshg]

nice work there! love your progress!

[RotarySMP]

Thanks for the encouragement Matt and Magesh,

I really need to over the whole design and work out all the fasteners. I found a place in England Cable Management |Tooling | Fixings for DIY or Trade at Discount Prices. which seems to have a good selection at good prices, but it will only make sense if I buy them all at once, as the postage adds a fair bit.

The other stuff I really need to order are the pulley and belts, from Maedler.de.

[RotarySMP]

Little progress. Got some alloy to make up the load spreaders which go on the outsides. Sawed it up and cleaned up the cuts by facing in the four jaw chuck.

[RotarySMP]

Today I took the sides to the local hardware store, and got them to cut the straight bits of the cut out with their circular mitre saw. Then did the curved bit at home with a jigsaw, and sandpaper.

[RotarySMP]

The machine base is getting close to completion. I decided to assemble it (for motivation).



In the homebuilt aircraft scene, this as a milestone known as 90% finished, 90%to go

Before I can think of final assembly, I still need to take the cross bar out to my mill, and drill the rail holes, and make some holes for things like wiring pass throughs, Ball screw bearing block mounting, etc.

[RotarySMP]

I am going to install the PSU (24V 15A Chinese) and the servo drive in the machine base.



The servo drive is 24V uServo(now discontinued) which was made in Hungary by: CNCdrive - Webshop
http://cncdrive.com/downloads/uservo_manual.pdf
http://cncdrive.com/downloads/uservo...out_manual.pdf

It's break out board supports up to 4 axis, although I only bought three axis cards for it. It includes an integrated 0-5V dc ouput for speed control of VFD's, and two relays.

[RotarySMP]

To interface the Y and Z axis, I want two plates which allow them to be separated reasonably easily. I started with the plates and the holes which connect them. To do the rest, for which alignment is critical, I'll have to drive out and use my mill.

[RotarySMP]

Haven't made a lot of progress due to buying and renovating a house, but a little bit has been done on this little mill.

I replaced the table and drilled the holes in the correct place this time. Mounted the X and Y axis motor, rails and lead screw. On track for a 2019 completion...

[RotarySMP]

Made up some pulley clamps yesterday. 2019 is looking optimistic.
Mark

[Fastest1]

I have got a project or 2. Should would all have a 2019 debut?

[RotarySMP]

That forum name must have you under a lot of Pressure

One of my projects is to make a list of all my projects. I hope to have a list by winter.
Mark

[Fastest1]

There is a lot of hypocrisy in that name ;-)

[aarggh]

That forum name must have you under a lot of Pressure

One of my projects is to make a list of all my projects. I hope to have a list by winter.
Mark

I did that and just got depressed from it as a result!

A mate I worked with had some sage marriage advice for me years ago that also applies here, "I think the go is to set a low standard and try to live down to it, that way your never under pressure"!

cheers, Ian

[RotarySMP]

I finally finished my Bend brake by simply ignoring all other projects and working on it a little ever day.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/bendin...672-forum.html

Right now I am trying to do the same to complete my new casting furnace.
Build thread - Calcium silicate insulated copy of Myfordboy/J.Vibert furnace.

There are a number of projects I nearly started in the last few weeks but caught myself, and decided not to start anything new.

Mark

[RotarySMP]

I mounted the X and Y axis pulleys, and made a Y axis nut carrier.

Mark

[RotarySMP]

Made a wee bit of progress lately. the Y/Z interface plates are on. The Z- Axis sled will be a casting.

I've decided to run this with a DDCSV1.4 as they only cost about 130USD delivered. I ordered it a few weeks ago, so it should be here soonish.

500KHz 3 axis motion controller stepper motor servo motor CNC driver Engraving | eBay
I really like the way BrainRight has integrated his into a big pendant.

There is some pretty cool work going on to improve it here...
DDCSV1.1 4 Axis controller