80/20 - cncrouterparts.com - 1st build

[ackbar345]

OK. This is my first post about my first cnc router table build containing my first google sketchup project drawings of my design. This is my first 3D CAD work and my first CAD work since 2000 when I was in high school using an outdated at the time version of AutoCAD.

I based a lot of my design off of things I have read here, primarily Arbo's designs but drawing from a lot of the build logs I found on Ahren's site. I don't think I could have gotten this far without people generously sharing their knowledge on these forums, so thank you everyone!

Be gentle, it still a long way from perfect, but I thought this would be a good point to start getting some input. I already have most of the parts, except the steel rail and the router and mounting bracket for the router. I also have a few extra parts (do'oh!) because I started buying parts before I started drawing in sketchup. So if anyone is interested in some NEMA 23 motor mounting plates from cncrouterparts.com or a 60" piece of 1545 at discount rates, let me know.

This is a R&P table (x and y), approximately 54x45. Almost all of the parts are from Ahren with the exception of the rack (Moore), screw(McMaster) and a few odds and ends from Fine Line Automation(fasteners kit). I am using Ahren's High-Z plate with extended linear carriages. I still have some questions about my Z-axis lengths and the use of drill rod & couplers (optional? I have plenty of extra screw?).

Anyway, here she is, thanks in advance for your comments/suggestions.


-Mikkel

[CNC Lurker]

I like your plans, it is similar to an idea I had about making a Solsylva CNC with 80/20 extrusion. In the end I went the safe route and am building it like the plans on the CNC Routerparts & Fine Line Automation site. Sawdust (routerdust??) falling onto the cold rolled steel rails and jamming the ABEC bearings was a concern I have and mounting it on top like you have would alleviate that problem (along with a dust shoe).

As for the drill rods and couplers, you won't need those since you are making your own design. Their plans still call for the drillrods and lovejoys even though they now offer a helical shaft coupler. The drillrod also gives the ACME rod a little more usable length, but since they sell ACME in 3 ft and 6 ft lengths, you won't have to worry about that for your Z-axis.

[ackbar345]

As for the drill rods and couplers, you won't need those since you are making your own design. Their plans still call for the drillrods and lovejoys even though they now offer a helical shaft coupler. The drillrod also gives the ACME rod a little more usable length, but since they sell ACME in 3 ft and 6 ft lengths, you won't have to worry about that for your Z-axis.

Yeah, that's kind of what I was thinking about the screw length. I mean if I already have more than I need, why would I hack some off just to add another part? I am using Ahren's helical shaft coupler.


I did have a question about these thrust bearings though. I was watching the Z-axis video in the Aaron Taylor build log on these forums and he used a coupling to wedge the thrust bearings onto the top side of the bearing block. I was wondering if I needed to do the same on the top or bottom of the low profile bearing I am using with the high-z plate? I bought two sets of thrust bearings but only one shaft coupler... I am working off of the parts set Ahren lists on his site for an ACME axis but it doesn't really take into account the use of his newer high-z plate.

[ackbar345]

Work continues, mostly modeling at this point, but the machinist who is ordering my steel for me is trying to convince me that I need Blanchard steel? I know Ahren's plans call for 1018 cold rolled and that seems to be what everyone else is using? The cost difference is pretty substantial...

Also, Ahren's specifications for the high-z indicate that I could attain travels of up to 12" for my z axis. Do I measure that as the tip of the router bit with the z in the highest position to the top of my work surface? I am trying to figure out how long to make my extrusion/plate for the z axis.

[CarveOne]

Work continues, mostly modeling at this point, but the machinist who is ordering my steel for me is trying to convince me that I need Blanchard steel? I know Ahren's plans call for 1018 cold rolled and that seems to be what everyone else is using? The cost difference is pretty substantial...

Also, Ahren's specifications for the high-z indicate that I could attain travels of up to 12" for my z axis. Do I measure that as the tip of the router bit with the z in the highest position to the top of my work surface? I am trying to figure out how long to make my extrusion/plate for the z axis.

Blanchard describes the process for surface grinding the steel plate for precision dimensions and flatness. I used it on my Z axis but it is at least double the cost of standard cold rolled bar stock of the same size. A 24" piece cost around $45 a couple of years ago. I made two Z axis rails from it though. Regular CRS bar stock is what most people use for the rails.

Don't even think about substituting lower cost hot roll steel bar stock though. It won't work because of the factory scale and poor dimensional control. Even if you try sanding the scale off, as I did.

CarveOne

[ackbar345]

Don't even think about substituting lower cost hot roll steel bar stock though. It won't work because of the factory scale and poor dimensional control. Even if you try sanding the scale off, as I did.

CarveOne

Yeah, I had been warned off the hot rolled from lurking these forums. I ended up going with the cold rolled.


Also I picked up my router today!! Bosch, 2 1/4 HP, 8k-25k rpm, 1617EVS motor.

[CarveOne]

Yeah, I had been warned off the hot rolled from lurking these forums. I ended up going with the cold rolled.


Also I picked up my router today!! Bosch, 2 1/4 HP, 8k-25k rpm, 1617EVS motor.

That should be a nice one. The collet nut looks like my Hitachi M12VC nut. The collets are probably the same or similar. If they look like small ER series collets they will be better than the older simple split sleeve varieties.

I have a new Bosch Colt that I was going to put on my first CNC machine, but the plans for that may have changed in the past week. Another upgrade is in the works.

CarveOne

[ackbar345]

That should be a nice one. The collet nut looks like my Hitachi M12VC nut. The collets are probably the same or similar. If they look like small ER series collets they will be better than the older simple split sleeve varieties.

I have a new Bosch Colt that I was going to put on my first CNC machine, but the plans for that may have changed in the past week. Another upgrade is in the works.

CarveOne

It came with two collets, 1/4" and 1/2", one of which is pictured below. I've really got to bring my good camera home from work, these cellphone pics are terrible quality.

The other picture is the latest rendering of my rig. I sketched up the router last night while I was waiting on the eclipse. I am going on the hunt for router brackets today. I think it is (nearly) the last part I need besides maybe some fasteners.

[ackbar345]

Extrusion close to trimmed to size. Steel showed up for the rails. Hoping to get things ready to start frame assembly next week some time.

[Arbo]

Nice. I think I would go with a R&P on my Y, if I felt like pulling my Y rail off and going with a thinner one... but I hate the thought of hand drilling another piece of steel.

Though I'll have to mull over the advantages and see if it's worth all the work for me.

[ackbar345]

I ordered a mount for my Bosch from K2. I started a dry run assembly. It looks like I am going to come up short on some fasteners so my New Years plan is to get that order together and maybe make up the wiring harnesses. I would post pics but my crappy cellphone camera just isn't cutting it. I'll try to take a better camera home and post pics this weekend.

[ackbar345]

OK I still failed on the pictures but I did realize my ipod nano takes halfway decent video (for as tiny as it is)...

Not sure if I can embed video like this or not:


Next step is work on the Z-axis...