My DIY CNC, "CNC2011"; build log

[hub]

There is some flex in the machine (check pdf). Enough to cause some problems. I thought adding some supports might help (pdf), but could the problem be somewhere else?

[JerryBurks]

Can you try to identify the contributors to the flexing (i.e. router bearings, router holder, Z-plate, y-profiles, riser, bearings etc.) by measuring the movement of the individual parts when pushing the collet? That could give you a clue where to beef it up.
My bet would be the Y-profiles flexing/twisting and you could improve that by adding another set to the front of the risers and connecting them with the existing ones to a box with aluminum sheet.

[diyengineer]

There is some flex in the machine (check pdf). Enough to cause some problems. I thought adding some supports might help (pdf), but could the problem be somewhere else?

How much flex you talking about? According to your pdf you are going to need some support right where you say "Support?". that design is not very strong as is. I would imagine you have A LOT of flex.

[hub]

Can you try to identify the contributors to the flexing (i.e. router bearings, router holder, Z-plate, y-profiles, riser, bearings etc.) by measuring the movement of the individual parts when pushing the collet? That could give you a clue where to beef it up.
My bet would be the Y-profiles flexing/twisting and you could improve that by adding another set to the front of the risers and connecting them with the existing ones to a box with aluminum sheet.

Sure, I measured a couple of locations (pdf). The arrows point to each point of the dial indicator roughly. I'll try to take more measurements to find out what needs to be reinforced.
And thanks for the advice

[hub]

How much flex you talking about? According to your pdf you are going to need some support right where you say "Support?". that design is not very strong as is. I would imagine you have A LOT of flex.

Thanks
The flex is +-0.3mm at the end of the spindle if I push it by hand as hard as I can. Yes, I guess it's a lot. I need to fix it somehow.

[hub]

This pic shows how the vertical column is attached. (4 angle brackets / column) Which is missing in the drawing.

[hub]

This is my new spindle (MT3)

[diyengineer]

This is my new spindle (MT3)

Is this from an x2?

[hub]

Is this from an x2?

This spindle housing is used in a German brand "Rotwerk" model EFM200. But I think the X2 might have the same (or very similar).

[hub]

Here is the assembly (of which I have the housing & shaft only, I installed other bearings).

toolarena shop - Fr

Edit:
And the spindle assy:
http://www.toolarena.com/index.php?c...4_Spindel.html

[hub]

A few pics...

Pic1: The rails are both bolted on one side only at the moment.. Will drill & thread & fasten the other sides when I'm sure of their location. (The fact that they are not fastened as they should might affect the flex issue a bit).

Pic2&3: There is a chipboard between the aluminium plate and Z slides (as I didn't have enough metal plate). Might also add a tiny bit of flex, even though its well bolted with many bolts to the Al plate.

[JerryBurks]

I was warned here on this forum when I posted my design plans to not mount supported rails in the same direction. Therefore I checked with the supplier (I got mine from Glacern but they look like yours') and they told me the permitted load in the "up" direction (i.e. pulling the away from the rail) is only 30% of the rated load ("sideways" it is 70% and "down" 100%) and this may also contribute to flex. As a consequence I change my design to have one directed up and the other one down.