Thanks,
I have redone my unit and now it is a 2X4 foot unit, all metal, The problem now is learning the software.
I would like to build a 4X8 some day, but I do not have the know - how that you have - with building or software. That is one reason I loved the site where you was posting pictures of your work.
I wish you would start a site of your work with pictures and DXF files for people like me to use and maybe hints on using some of the software programs.
Anyway thanks for shareing what you are building with us.
Dan
The circles drawn in the hollow section denote where holes to lighten the material would be located but I became concerned after the Z/X axis was so heavy. I already have holes in a shorter piece of hollow section however length is not a concern in that case.
Thanks Tony. Some clients made enquiries on its completion date last week and one even called yesterday. That's a little more pressure to get it finished.
I think my first cuts however will be for my house and I am considering the Aztec calender and the Lady of the woods, of course in extra large versions.
The machine can be now finished if I could dedicate the time to completing it. I will have time after the 19th of December to put more energy into the build. The JGRO has been busy for the last few weeks as customers rush to finish Christmas promotions.
All of this in addition to the stresses of the day job.
I may have to order an extra belt ~12ft and nema 34 motors just in case. I also want to order router mounts from K2CNC.
I am going to run the long axis with two these 6.25:1 gear reduction boxes (pic 2) coupled with 425 oz/inch motors. This combination should give me enough torque to drive the machine as it looks like the nema 34's are on hold for now.
Just the drive gears and the belt nylon rollers to install as in pic 1
I pulled this design off the shelf catching dust,it was quite labour intensive to get right so I will use it on a smaller metal router.
One problem was the washers next to the top bearings control the width of the side bearings and as washers are not very uniform in thickness there was play in the system.
I got a room cleared out for the machine to use, only issue is that the floor needs to be replaced.
I will rip up the floor sunday.
Monday:Install pipes under the floor (termite treatment).
Tuesday: Treat sub floor.
Wednesday: Install sub floor.
Thursday: Install some sort of quick floor cover.
Friday: Build table on which machine will be assembled.
Lets hope this schedule works out.
Jason
Last edited by Jason Marsha; 02-21-2010 at 08:03 AM.
Well folks finally some action on the new cnc front.
First of all it looks like I will be running a 5 x 5 machine initially, switching to a 5 x 10 will involve wider gantry and wider support beams.
Bought the 7" x 4" I beam in december and welded up the running angle. No pics as the metal is at my friends workshop.
Finished the Z axis and it weighs 45 pounds without the router.
Got two 5 start screws for the y-axis but I am not sure about the x.
My budget is all but gone but I am determined to finish this in two weeks.
I had a Hobbycnc 4 axis kit for about 4 years waiting. I will use one NEMA 23 305 oz inch Hobbycnc motor for the Z axis. The other 3 motors will be 60 mm 300 oz inch Sanyo-Denki steppers with a really low inductance.
I am considering springs to help the motor haul the z axis up. I got this spring from a Risograph copier and looking for a match or one similar. This one is 4 inches total with 2 1/4 inches of coil and 7/8" diameter