Small CNC build thread 20" x 18" x 4"

[metalworkz]

Hello,
I have almost completed my build for a small CNC moving table build on the Vectric website and thought maybe it would be good to post the thread here on the Zone also. I designed all my parts with VcarvePro and most of the larger parts were laser cut from HRS or aluminum.
I designed it all from scratch and even designed the motor coupler from flat stock, motor brackets from flat aluminum, and have a cable carrier that is made from ABS pipe that is working fine. I thought some of the ideas might help people getting ready to build and perhaps I might get some constructive criticism from other members that will enable making improvements where needed. The build is almost done so I am not sure how to post the thread up to this point, and any advise or suggestions is appreciated. I will post a shot of the end view showing most of the machine for reference.

[kevin swan]

nice JOB nice size I like that more pics please

[Jesse B]

That looks pretty good. Some more pictures would be cool, and some video would be even cooler.

Also, what are you using for electronics? Motors, Drivers, etc.

[metalworkz]

OK, maybe I should start at the beginning of the build.
I have pictures of the base and gantry/bridge sections as I received them after laser cutting. I designed all the parts that fit together with a tab and keyed construction so the pieces all fit together like a puzzle and the assemblies are very sturdy.

[metalworkz]

Here's more pictures of the gantry assembly etc.

[metalworkz]

Hello,
I acquired the stepper motors from eBay along with the THK guide/balscrew and the Thomson fully supported 30" rails. The ball screw for the Z axis was also obtained from eBay and is about 4.5" or travel. If you watch eBay over a period of time you can possibly find some good deals on rails, ballscrews, actuators etc. and I actually designed the basic size of the machine around what I was able to obtain for the motion control and slides of the machine.
The electronics I am using were obtained from Hubbard CNC on eBay and Brent is a great person to deal with. He has offered me information to help with my build regarding the electronics and I got all of my stepper drivers and the power supply from Brent at Hubbard CNC. The drivers are a CW250AC and are capable of micro stepping of 1/256, but you can probably get by with something less expensive if you don't need the micro stepping. I ended up switching the X axis motor from the older cylindrical style to a new Kelling 425oz.in. motor due to the weight involved with my .375" HRS x 20" x 24" work table. The breakout board is a C10 from CNC4PC.
I designed the driver control box from .063 alum. and it is formed and includes PEM insert hardware for the hardware installation locations. I will post pictures of the driver box later.
Best regards,

[metalworkz]

Here are the next set of pictures for the build.
The complete build can be found on the Vectric forum website:

http://www.vectric.com/forum/viewtop...t=5736&start=0

[metalworkz]

Here are some pictures of the next steps of the build. As you can see I have tried to utilize the idea of tab and key construction and making as many of the parts as possible from flat material and assembling those parts with bolts instead of welding which many times introduces stress into the assembly. This also allows for making parts that may need to be formed out of all flat material, and with the gussets they are still very strong(most of the assemblies fit so snug that they stay together even before adding the screws)
The rails for the Z are some approx. 6" linear rails I was able to find reasonably priced on eBay. If you are looking for parts try running the search utility and over a period of time you will be surprised what great deals go bye.
The guide I used for the Y axis along the gantry/bridge is a THK guide/actuator unit that has about 18" of travel. It has a single carriage and the guide is a solid single piece steel channel and has a ball screw incorporated. It works great for the Y axis on this machine and almost seems a perfect size and very compact.
The pictures here include the Rotozip motor mount and the bearing block shown on the assembly of the Z.



Regards,

[metalworkz]

I worked on the Y axis motor mounting bracket next and it is another tab and keyed assembly for the NEMA 23 motor on my Y axis. Here are some pictures of the laser cut parts and the assembled unit.







Regards,

[metalworkz]

Hello again,
I guess there are no comments or questions? Maybe nobody is interested, but I will continue just in case.
I believe the mounting brackets for the X axis ballscrew/actuator was next for the build. I did not want to wait to have the parts lasered and I had some .50" thick aluminum stock and I decided to cut the parts with a jig saw and finish them square in my homemade Gingery metal shaper. These brackets worked very good and allowed me to keep the height of the worktable fairly low. Take a look at the pictures, and if you have questions or comments please post them.









Regards,

[Jesse B]

You've got over 300 views, people are interested. We just haven't commented yet More interested in just seeing the build

[RomanLini]

Yeah please keep posting! I love small rugged moving table builds.

People here don't seem to encourage build threads much unless they are 8'x4' gantry builds for some reason. I think lots of people just want to build wardrobes...