SantiniUK - CNC MKII - Return of the Skiprat......

[santiniuk]

Hello folks,

After a year to the exact day, tonight I start my CNC MKII build.

My original thread which kicked off my interest in homemade CNC's is

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7286

(Final picture of MK I in its new home in the garage attached.)

Through this build log I rambled on and on but had some great encouragement and advise from people around the world. I knew nothing about CNC's but I had the urge to build one.
It's true to say I have made some good mates through this very forum.

The MKI CNC was built almost entirely from bits I salvaged, scrounged & bribed people for. It's still in use and never fails to impress my geeky friends when they visit. Some just thing I'm mad !
The restriction of this machine was table area. It didn't take long before I was drooling at Benny's (YNNEB) machine as the table size allowed so much scope for bigger and better things to be cut.

There are many other great designs on here I hope to incorporate in mine.

It was obvious that this machine would not be built skipratting and I would have to pay for the component's.

Finally after a long time I now have enough bit's to kick off some ideas for MK II.

The Table area will be approx 1.5m * 1.5m, more than enough cutting area for my needs. At last enough area to cut my holy grail. A guitar body !

At this stage I have an open mind on the build design. The only concept I would like to pursue is to make the CNC retractrable into my garage rough space. I have some thoughts on this and will investigate further in the build but ideally I don't want the machine hogging 1.5m*1.5m of my treasured garage floor.

I really would like the members on here to post any pictures, designs etc that you think my components listed in the posts below would be suitable for.

The electronics for the machine will be Picstep 4, and the same motors as MK I. The software is Mach III.

Enough rambling, some pictures of the main bits I have for the build.

[santiniuk]

These items I searched ebay daily for.

It's a long story but I ended up with 5 THK 1480mm long and 6 SSR20 carriages. I may have another two SSR20 carriages available. (Certainly 1).

They are the business !

[santiniuk]

2 long Ballscrews & Nut, complete with NP15 bearings.

Model THK BLK2020-3.6ZZ

Length 1460mm

20mm diameter

[santiniuk]

These two ballscrews I did actually salvage. They are new and should be ok for a Z-axis.

Larger one is 525mm long

Shorter one is 280mm long

[santiniuk]

Believe it or not I was given these last week from a work colleague.

They are 2 * 520mm NSK rails with 4 LSR15 carriages.

The longer pair is as above but 700mm long.

I plan to use these on the Z axis.

[santiniuk]

Finally,

Testing in the kitchen. Do you think the wife would let me leave it there ?

[JavaDog]

Ah man, you'll manage to build two machines in the time it has taken me to get one not even finished. I've really got to get my arse in gear.

That being said, judging by the parts so far - you are really going to out-do yourself!

[Mike F]

Santiniuk,

Youv'e certainly come up trumps with the linear guides and blocks. Did you find these on the UK eBay or US? I had no joy at all looking for parts in the UK this time last year. I appreciate some were donated by a work colleage - look after that guy, there may be more to come

I am interested in your idea for the retracting table and look forward to seeing some drawings/3D modelling.

Now, if only I could getto finish my first machine.

Mike

[MrBean]

Spooooky. A year to the day.....
Looks like you've got some cracking parts to start your build.
Now that you've finally started a "build log", we want no slacking, plenty of CAD and progress updates.

I've not visited here as much as I'd like just lately, but I'm going to make sure I pop in regularly to see that you're not slacking.

I think I'm getting that urge to do something myself...........

Regards Terry.

[Pat2000]

Santini, nice bits o steel!! I have simular ambitions as per your m/c but I'm trying to do it on a 'shoe- string' so my linears are round bar stock - supported and I'm toying with using Delrin for bearings/split bushes.

what motors did you use? and did you get them in the UK?

[santiniuk]

Java,

Your underwater project is too much of a disstraction. It is a good one however and was a great thread on here. Now get your tools back into action !

Mike,

Your thread was possibly the one that made me think about alternative designs and ways to minimise floor space requirements. It looks like the school work is a heavy load. I do look forward to seeing the machine in action however.

The parts are all bits from ebay U.K, they have been quite rare. To be honest a lot of items are listed with strange names. So hunting was the key.

The Cad work will start shortly, I'm still investigating the retracting table options. I was thinking about legs that fold inwards. i.e B&D workmate type of concept. Obviously much stronger and with locking pins.

Mr Bean,

Your spending too much time in Helicopter world. Get yourself back into the CNC scene !

Pat,

The motors are from RS components. part number 440-470. They are 2.5V - 2200 mNm. I'm sure with the right design round linears and Delrin will be fine. Do you have a build log ?

Cheers,

[Pat2000]

Originally Posted by santiniuk Pat, The motors are from RS components. part number 440-470. They are 2.5V - 2200 mNm. I'm sure with the right design round linears and Delrin will be fine. Do you have a build log ? Cheers,

Yikes that price £94 frightening I NEED cheap steppers

someone, somewhere in the UK....

No Build log yet, will do before too long

oh I don't suppose this is very 'attractive really... but I wonder if anyone has built a 'Slanting bed' Gantry to reduce the 'floor size', slanting like a sheet saw type of idea?