First router - Modified solsylva design

[Guldberg]

Well, guess its my time to show the progress so far. Im doing the big table of solsylva's design, great and easy plans. What i found out so far is how difficult it is to do straight cuts with standard tools, so i've decided, beside some other modifications, to build the x frame of C steelbeams instead of wood. Other than that i've had to convert all measurements to metric, i found the easiest way was to do a complete 3D modeling in ProE, this also makes it much easier to alter the design (surprise...). The whole thing is going to be powered by the HobbyCNC 3axis kit. Anyway, pictures are more fun

[diarmaid]

Looking great so far. Thats some nice 3D modelling also .
Question: Did the control box come with your kit purchase or did you buy/build it elsewhere?
Keep up the good work (Fun)

[Guldberg]

The box, transformer and switch i bought seperate, quite a job to fix it all and make it look good at the same time

[Madclicker]

What is that 45 degree bracket used on the bearing assembly? Is it a standard hardware store item?

[Guldberg]

You mean the angled bearing on the rendering? Its just a 1x3x1/8 slap of aluminum, put in a wrench and hammered to roughly the right angle (120deg). I made one so far, not completly satisfied, so i thing ill ask at the workshop a my uni to help bending them with the right tool.

I attach a picture of the planed x frame of C beams. In addition to being more ridig its easier to enclose the leadscrew for dust protection

[Guldberg]

Todays update: Went to the scrapyard, found alot of good stuff including perfect beams for the xframe. Since i dont have a car i had to transport it 2km in a shopping trolley in pouring rain. Theses things arent ment to transport 70kg of metal!! :-)
Also found a 3,5m solid stainless steel rod for the x rails for 40$, less than what 3/4" gas pipe cost in the local hardware store.
Also managed to make some of the bearingtrucks, things are going fast now, just a shame i dont have as much time as i would like

[Guldberg]

Quite a few things have happend, the Y and Z axis is now up and running, the Y can go rapid at 1800mm/min, not bad for at 1.25 pitch. The motor is going 1440 rpm = no torque, so im currently ordering tr12x3 trapezium rods for the Y and 2x tr14x4 for the X. Think im going with a dual stepper setup for the X, instead of the intended one. Some people have complained about slow speed, so i think this could be a solution. Enough words, now some pics, more to come soon

BTW, one of the pics shows the Y leadnut, found a easy way to make it, a M8 nut fits perfectly in the 3/4inch U profile, just hammer it in an the friction will keep it in place. Alot easiere than drilling and tapping it

[Guldberg]

Building and building, but forgetting to take pictures and update the log:-)

Anyway, desided to make the shopbot solution for the x axis and making a tabel out of squaretubing and letting the rails run on som 100mm C beams, this really is a strong and ridig structure, it felt like i drilled 1000 holes atleast. Overkill for a wooden gantry maybe, but im planning redoing the y and z in alu sometime.

I also desided to tare the whole thing apart and repainting it in a blue/white color scheme

Now the only thing i miss is the y and z leadscrews lost in the mail, i hate delivery companies...!

[Guldberg]

Biggest machine in the smallest shop?!

Sooo, i suck at updating this log, maybe because its more fun to build:-) Anyway, i still havent got my package from the nederlands, but i made a mock up with an alltread 8mm rod one of the axis, and surprise, it actually works. Already made a doorsign for my brother and impressed a couple of people carving their name. Now comes the time for making all the small fun features such as an automatic tool zero'er (took 1/2 to make, how can you live without) and a homemade energy chain. Here is the link to some (boring) movies showing how both things work:

Zero'er: http://www.golfhuse.com/Jacob/MVI_1732.avi
http://www.golfhuse.com/Jacob/MVI_1733.avi

Energy chain: http://www.golfhuse.com/Jacob/MVI_1737.avi

[diarmaid]

You machine looks great GuldBerg. Congrats, sounds like it won't be long until your making a living with it! One question, what is an 'energy chain' used for?
Thanks.

[chuckknigh]

Energy chain is a term used to describe the segmented flexible conduit thing that he houses his wires in. If you look in his second photo, you see that white "chain" looking thing? That's energy chain.

It's a VERY good way to keep your wires neat and controlled. Even looks nice.

-- Chuck Knight

[Guldberg]

I think the 3. video kind explains the concept well, all the wires are keept in place by the energy chain