New Gantry Router

[Halfnutz]

Well, I'm still using the machine, it works fine so I didn't tear it apart. The new one I'm working on is a larger format, about 36'' wide by 50'' long with motors on both sides of the long axis. Ive got two Yaskawa 200 Watt ac drives and motors with absolute encoders that have batteries so they remember thier position one for each side. The idea is to be able to set it over a piece of plywood and work a section of a full sheet. I have the gantry and z axis done I'm just stuck on driving the long axis without having a screw underneath, exactly what you had problems with. I dont know weather I'll end up running two belts or two racks yet. Here are some pictures of what I've done so far, but I kinda got stuck with these absolute encoders. Just wiring them and setting up the drives is crazy.

[corrie]

Well it looks like a fantastic start thats for sure, would like to help with the electronics but when it comes to that I,m not to keen.Seeings I already have a Y&Z assembly I thought of another way of doing my gantry, what do ya think.

[Halfnutz]

That is similar to some really rigid designs I've seen and will give you the added height as well. Brace the inside of the corners and you will add even more stiffness!

[Mr.Chips]

Originally Posted by corrie Very nice job , congrats . I,m in the middle of a rebuild and asking some advice. for starters what is the hieght of your gantry from bottom plate to the top.I,m just trying to figure out what to make mine. my machine was driven from one side only and was giving me a bit of a problem so I,m deciding to put the X-drive down the middle like yours. here are some pics of what it looked like and where it stands now . I,m going to use as much of the old machine as posible. Any advice would be apreciated and any specs you would like to share would be very appreciated.I, ve got a make shift drawing of what I see in my mind and it,s kinda like your machine. Thanks Corrie, cheers.

Nice machine you have there.
Are thoes bellows homemade? Sewn or glued?
Thanks for posting, do you have a build thread?

[corrie]

Hello Mr Chips, the bellows were purchased, the material is like a neoprean inside with a weaved type material on the outside and are sowen. I don,t have a build log of this machine, but soon as I get some 1/2 inch toolling plate I,ll post as I go along.I finished tripple checking my measurements today and will be placing my order.? whats the difference between ball screw and lead screw? What would be best for my setup keeping in mind that I,ve previously run this machine for 6 to 8 hours at a time, cheers and thanks, by the way like what you are doing Mr. Nuts.

[CNCfun&games]

Halfnutz,

Spend a lot of my time scrounging for aluminum & brass at IMS, Irvine (Santa Ana??)
Have you noticed how the prices of cut stock have been escelating?
DIX was always a better source for random cuts when they were in the area, but
since they moved to Huntington Beach I haven't used them. Do you know if they
have a surplus stock outlet at the new location?

Enjoy watching your thread, you are doing some real good stuff!!

W. Smith, Mission Viejo, CA

[Halfnutz]

Thanks, CNCFun&Games, I haven't been doing much lately, but I probably turn on my machines and play around cutting air almost every day, I just love to watch and listen to the music.....

Yes IMS is where I shop usually and I have definately noticed the prices skyrocket. I remember when I built my first machine, I came home with so much metal it was great, for less than a hundred bucks I got an incredible amount of stuff. Now thats what they want for a couple of pieces of aluminum. I've never been to the place in Long Beach, is it any cheaper? Probably the same as everything is tied to price per pound that the metal's going for as scrap.

I would love to know of some scrap yards around here to rumage through, I bet there are a few in Santa Ana, but I dont know where.

Ebay is where I get most of my extrusions at, but 80/20 prices went through the roof as well over the last couple of years.

It probably has something to do with China buying so much raw goods.

[corrie]

I must appologize,I feel that I have high-jacked this thread with my own rebuild log . How can I move my recent posts to my own thread, pictures and all, once agian sorry for budding in,thanks, Corrie.

[diecutter]

HELP! I am trying to figure out a decent way of holding 1/8 in. or 3/16 in. endmill shanks in my 1/4 in. router collet. I tried making something today, but I dont trust it and would like to see what others have done instead of re-inventing the wheel.
__________________
Halfnutz

After much searching I went down to the local Sears hardware department and picked up a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter for about $8.00. It's intended for a Rotozip so it's rated for high rpm. Holds the bit with an Allen setscrew and seems acurate enough for most work.

[joecnc2006]

a collet adapter woodcraft.com has them as well as most places that sells bits.