Build Thread- After being stagnant for a while, I've made some progress!

[TheMobster]

Alright, I posted here a while ago (probably two years), posting some very mediocre process. I upgraded nearly everything to 80/20 or sheet aluminum. I switched my gantry design, and now have a fixed gantry.

When it's complete it's going to be continually upgraded, I'm taking a lot of shortcuts here (money....), but hopefully I can take the longer and sturdier routes later.

The things I think I need to strengthen up at the moment are:
Right angle brackets (8) to strengthen vertical mount on gantry (4) and Y bar for Y axis (4)
New Y axis (with THK rails)
New Z axis (with THK rails)
The new axes will call for a CNC machine though, so I'm making something that runs at the moment. Hopefully it's level and is able to cut aluminum (or else predrill holes so I can make accurate cuts on the invisible drill press... still trying to find one of those for cheap).

My roommate documented some progress for me, and I took some with the macro lens for your enjoyment.

And without further ado (captions are in the picture, additional comments here).

http://themobster.imgur.com/cnc (all pictures here, I'll refer to them in order, get your tabs ready!)

Just recently cleaned the garage, it was much... much worse before.

This one isn't going to go over well...
I'm using two drawer slides for my Z-axis slides until I can nab some better ones off of eBay.

I need to make the other bearing mount for the other side of the axis.

I spend much more time thinking than actually doing stuff.

I have no idea the load ratings on this guy, hopefully he can support a Z axis.

This will get replaced with 80/20, but it is pretty damn strong, but there probably should be another bolt on the 80/20 portion as there is a bit of forward and back play.

Today I disassembled the pillow blocks and cleaned out all the bearings. One bearing axle didn't want to come loose. These have eccentric bolts! I read about them in a post the other day when I was looking at V-groove bearings. I probably would have been very confused why the bearings were wobbling. So I dipped the bearings in paint thinner and I'm going to let them sit over night. What should I use to regrease them?

Cutting a hole so the Z-axis tool holder sits flush against the right angle brackets.

Pillow blocks before they were disassembled.

Playing with my new rotozip! (There was a purpose)

A few couplings I have lying around.

Ball screw for X-axis.

Ball screw for X-axis. (whoops)

Y-axis. I'll get the name tomorrow, it's a Pantech something or other.

Nearly right angle bracket, originally used in a massive trebuchet. This will get replaced with 80/20 right angle bracket. Another will be added to the top.

Tool holder in position.

$10 band saw!

Y-axis slide (nuts inside).

A hole.

Drawslides.

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My next steps are:
Regrease bearings and remount pillow blocks.
Mount platform to X-axis.
Make bearing mount for Y-axis.
Drill mounting holes for Z-axis to Y-axis slide.

My longer term steps:
Bearing mounts (3)
X-axis is belt driven, Y-axis is belt driven, Z-axis will be direct drive.
X is fairly easy, there's mounting holes on the big table. Y-axis is trickier, I'm probably going to mount across the vertical 80/20 beam (will draw pictures later), and Z will be easy.
Electronics and wiring up limit switches (driver board soldered).

Ah one more question - my linear rod on the big X-axis assembly are rusting a bit (in spots), will that be okay or should I put some elbow grease into them?

[louieatienza]

Pretty cool... and some very good photography!