JunkYardParts 8020/steel r&p

[technodream]

machine designed to be upgrade-able - linear bearings and rack are on a detachable steel beam which can be adjusted or removed and installed on a larger/stiffer structure in the future.

progress so far-
- installed 40x40 mm mounting beams, they are NOT straight (~3mm sag with no load)
- mounted linear rails for X axis and made sure they are straight using shims and epoxy putty , against a store-bought 50x10mm aluminum ruler

next stage -
- checking rails are parallel, using homemade "tram gauge".
- finish gantry design

advice/references for 8020 gantry is welcome

[robe_uk]

Hi
nice work so far, only suggestions I have are to add more support to your frame so it will sag less in the middle under the rails and also cross bracing to prevent twisting. Also might be best to turn your racks the other way so the teeth are pointing down and it will be less likely to clog with dust.

Good luck

Rob

[technodream]

We have finally progressed.. X-axis is installed , at least as a preliminary setup. design is somewhat inspired by the cncrouterparts design.
the idea for driving the Y-axis is mounting another beam on top of the square one, and mounting the rack on it, with teeth facing sideways (x direction) and motor vertical, or facing up (z) and motor horizontal.

we substitute one x-motor with two, one on each side to relieve us from the need for an axle connecting two pinions. ive seen this on many designs.

rack teeth will be inverted to point down.

the frame will be replaced soon with something else... we have a thick aluminum plate we might use.

comments?