5' x 10' router building need help

[stevelang]

Here is the scope
I want to build a 5' x 10' cnc router to cut plastics, wood and aluminum, signs in other words, I already have one axyz machine from canada (atwork and have full access to it) and I can precise make the parts, also have tig, mig,plasma, etc tools so building resources are there, I read a book how to build your own cnc shopbot from a guy called william or williams, very interesting butI;m notintereted in making my own pcb boards and electronics, so the questions are:

is ther a kit that contains all the electronics from the pc port to the motors and switches, I mean a simple universal kit? been visiting the sponsors of cnc for a while but I'm a little lost ther,I can buildt the table, legs,with slides, gantry, ball screws, etc

another question: I have been looking for slides, and ball screws but nothing here or ebay is longer than around 50 or 60 inches, but I need longer components.

any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
Steve

[ger21]

You can get just about everything (electronics) from Dan here. http://www.seanet.com/~dmauch/

You might want to look into rack and pinion vs 12ft ballscrews.

[mxtras]

I would choose the rack and pinion - this is how your AXYZ machine is driven and it works pretty well, right?? The motors are on the edge, in my opinion, of being too small, but otherwise the AXYZ machines are very well built - why change a good thing?

Scott

[ViperTX]

You can use 2 60 inch rails to give you the 10' you're looking for. I suspect that alignment will be your biggest challenge.

Checkout misumiusa.com

[stevelang]

Originally Posted by ger21 You can get just about everything (electronics) from Dan here. http://www.seanet.com/~dmauch/ You might want to look into rack and pinion vs 12ft ballscrews.

thanks guys for responses
where is a good place to look for rack and pinion stuff,
I went to Dan's website and has a lot of stuff, but can you guys pinpoint a list of components to obtain from his site?

If someone wants to help me I will make free parts for you or pay cash for information, I really want to get one together soon

[mxtras]

Try http://www.mcmaster.com/ for the R&P.

Scott

[stevelang]

Originally Posted by mxtras Try http://www.mcmaster.com/ for the R&P. Scott

thanks, what do they list this under in the mcmaster carr page?

[stevelang]

Found them under "spur gear and racks"

another question: since my project is so large, I would think that for the x travel I need a motor on each end, does it make any sense, to avoid gantry flexing and vibration, if that is the cas do you get a 4 motor driver instead of a 3 motor driver or a 3 one works if you branch out power and signals to both, thanks again for any help

any more info in a "complete controller driver motor power supply etc kit" for strong motors

and one more question, a 1200 oz motor is twice as strong as 600 or 620 oz, correct? or is it just faster

Is it possible to make a large strong and accurate machine with steppers or servos is the way to go

sorry for the newby questions

[ViperTX]

I would use a single motor to drive the 2 pinions on a single axis, you would couple them all together with timing belts....have you mentioned tolerances?

Yes 1200 oz-in is twice the torque of 600 oz-in.

If you're looking for a motor, power supply, and driver kit....there are several advertised as CNC conversion kits on this forum.

Personally servos are the way to go, but steppers will work.

[stevelang]

Ok guys, I ordere the enginnering package from machine tool camp for a 5' x 10', since I have another router available, many of the parts will probably be susbstituted for my own machined / routed parts, let see hoe it goes, thanks for all responses, any more input?

[mxtras]

I don't know how to read all that well, so please type slowly and lots of pics are a must!

Keep us up to date!

Scott

[stevelang]

package supposed coming in a couple days! will keep you guys informed, where are the gallery pictures in this site