New Machine Build- CNC Design from Scratch, w/Belt Drive

[stepinator]

Originally Posted by ksubenny Everything is looking good, how fast where you running the x axis in that movie? I've been closely following this thread as I'm working on a very similar design for my first machine and everytime you post an update I got more anxious to get my design finished and my build started.

Max speed in the first half of this movie is 300 IPM. The second half of the movie is sped up to better match the music

[stepinator]

Well, everything is pretty much done with the machine now. I got the top cutting surface and t-slot rails for clamp downs mounted to the upper table frame. The upper frame is made out of steel tubing and the top surface is a white melamine(sp?) coated 3/4" mdf with 1/2" aluminum dual t-slots in between. All that is left is squaring and leveling the table. Right now it's off by about .025" to .030" in a couple corners so some shimming is in order but not a big deal. Then it can be fastened to the lower frame in a somewhat permanent manner, then the cutting can begin!!!!!!

Here's a new video of it actually making something on the 4th of July

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn-9DeWCQW4&feature=user

Hopefully I can have some updates very soon on how the belt-drive system works as far as actual cutting force, deflection, rebound and all that nitty gritty stuff that I'm most interested in. So stay tuned

[contactirfu]

Hi Stepinator,

There seems to be some sort of jerks which I am also facing on my machine, maybe due to other processes running in background on windows?, Even Iam having that problems, see my machine video for just the x-axis -

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...=46998&page=10

BTW what is the configuration of the computer running Mach.

RGDS
Irfan

[stepinator]

Originally Posted by contactirfu Hi Stepinator, There seems to be some sort of jerks which I am also facing on my machine, maybe due to other processes running in background on windows?, Even Iam having that problems, see my machine video for just the x-axis - http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...=46998&page=10 BTW what is the configuration of the computer running Mach. RGDS Irfan

The jerking is mostly because of changing feed speeds on seperate lines of code (and the acceleration rate). Running the machine in a straight line at a continuous feed rate should not be jerking.

My PC is an old one, AMD 900MHz Duron, 512M ram, no additional software installed other than XP Home.

[contactirfu]

Mine does jerk in a straight line the PC I am using is a celeron 500MHz vintage!

[sieg01]

Remember to put on the head phones when watching his video.... It sounds really nice!

[contactirfu]

Originally Posted by sieg01 Remember to put on the head phones when watching his video.... It sounds really nice!

At office struggling to hands on one

[contactirfu]

Hi Stepinator, nice music composition sir! enjoyed it fully!

[rrdiaz30]

Stepinator,

Could you elaborate on your drive system, mainly tooth count on the steppers (small and large cogs)... 3:1 perhaps? (20 tooth to 60 tooth XL and 20 tooth on the L Cog) And what is the source for the red urethane idlers?

Regards...Rick

[stepinator]

Originally Posted by rrdiaz30 Stepinator, Could you elaborate on your drive system, mainly tooth count on the steppers (small and large cogs)... 3:1 perhaps? (20 tooth to 60 tooth XL and 20 tooth on the L Cog) And what is the source for the red urethane idlers? Regards...Rick

I use 6:1 gear ratios. Urethane rollers from McMaster Carr.

[Hirudin]

Hows the build going? I check here all the time hoping to see some more progress!

[stepinator]

Originally Posted by Hirudin Hows the build going? I check here all the time hoping to see some more progress!

I apologize for the lack of updates lately, I've just been too busy using the machine to actually get some pictures of it.

It really is working nicely. I'm very impressed so far with the performance both speed and accuracy. The table still needs a little leveling but that won't be a problem. At this point I don't think I'll change anything on the machine, I'm just really satisfied with how it turned out. That doesn't mean I won't add other goodies to it over time, in fact I'm already designing a touch-probe and a 4th axis for it.