Fine Line Automation Reviews and Questions

[Matt Clara]

I'm considering purchasing an FLA100 kit, and while I've seen a couple posts here discussing the building process, I am hoping to get more than a couple owners to chime in with their thoughts on the machine. I'm specifically curious if anyone has had any problems with flexing or lack of rigidity. Some of the parts I'm looking to produce (slotted fretboards) need to be fairly accurate to work correctly.
Thanks.

[robs6]

Here's the most comprehensive review/build log I've found:

http://www.peakeff.com/beta/PostDetail.aspx?PostID=11

[Matt Clara]

Originally Posted by robs6 Here's the most comprehensive review/build log I've found: http://www.peakeff.com/beta/PostDetail.aspx?PostID=11

Thanks Rob. I'd seen the youtube videos, but not his build site. Very informative.

[robs6]

Incidentally, you'll notice that the backlash measurement was updated to 2 mils at the end of the report. The machine was constructed using the original Lovejoy couplers. The newer kits are furnished with better anti-backlash couplers which should do much better according to Nate.

[ilya]

I suggest using DumpsterCNC couplers. The backlash was so small on my machine, I was unable to measure it. I used 0.01mm dial gauge.

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My DIY CNC router plans at www.8020CNC.com

[robs6]

Ilya, if you know, can you tell us the degree of overall positioning accuracy / repeatability are you getting?

[ilya]

robs6,

I haven't specifically measured those. But I can tell from the parts I've machined that the machine is pretty repeatable and accurate.
I've cut both aluminum and steel and for some reason cutting steel is much more accurate than cutting aluminum.
For machining accuracy, I get 0.05mm accuracy (0.002") with steel and 0.1mm with aluminum (0.004"). I suppose this may be due to aluminum being cut faster and parts not being fixed good enough (I'm still usnig wooden spoilboard).

As for theoretical positioning accuracy, I'm getting 0.0005" per step and 0.00005" per microstep.

_______________________________________________

My DIY CNC router plans at www.8020CNC.com

[Matt Clara]

I see the FLA kit doesn't have anything to shield the rails from chips and dust--anyone have any problems with that? Is there any (easy) way to add some shielding after the fact?

[ger21]

Several people have reported binding when dust builds up on the rails. Not sure if anyone's implemented something, but I made some suggestions in another thread for either brass scrapers, or felt wipers.

[Aryantes]

I am using their bearing carriages on steel.

If dust gets on the bearings/steel then you can get vibration/chatter/bindings depending on how tight your preload is and how nasty the dust is.

I think the solution is a well designed dust shoe.

Wipers attached to the carriages would also work.

Make sure to keep dust directly off any bearings as well.

Only a real issue if you are cutting MDF, as it creates a much finer, more aggravating dust.

Other woodchips are not quite as bad.

[Matt Clara]

Anyone else want to chime in with his or her opinion on the FLA kits? I think I'm going to go with Nate's new FLA200. A 2x4 kit with 6" z.

$1900 24x48
$675 electronics (4 stepper)
$140 mach 3
~$190 shipping
Total = $2905

[cnctoolman]

For that amount spent, I would look into one of Joes Hybrid CNC's. I have been reading alot of the posts in that section lately, and have been impressed.