Z movement idea ???

[TrickyCNC]

anyone tried driving directly to the router depth control ?

I'm just thinking out loud here, as a temporary way to get my machine functional super quick !

I could then use it to make it's own 'proper' z axis

Rich

[vid1900]

Sure, you could fix your router (or bit) at a certain depth.

Be careful not to take too deep of a cut per pass.

[TrickyCNC]

Originally Posted by vid1900 Sure, you could fix your router (or bit) at a certain depth. Be careful not to take too deep of a cut per pass.

no, I have a knob on top of my router that adjusts the hight of the bit. It has at least an inch of movement, so if I attached a motor to it, I could direct drive it.

I probably wont, and just make a proper Z, but the idea seems interesting !

[louieatienza]

Originally Posted by TrickyCNC no, I have a knob on top of my router that adjusts the hight of the bit. It has at least an inch of movement, so if I attached a motor to it, I could direct drive it. I probably wont, and just make a proper Z, but the idea seems interesting !

They make CNC xy tables for mills. IIRC you can set this up in Mach3 and have it prompt you when to do a z level change. There was an article on exactly this in a previous issue of Digital Machinist...

[TrickyCNC]

Originally Posted by louieatienza They make CNC xy tables for mills. IIRC you can set this up in Mach3 and have it prompt you when to do a z level change. There was an article on exactly this in a previous issue of Digital Machinist...

thats very interesting Louie ! Thanks

good to get you out of a sticky situation if a motor or driver died !

I'm still thinking the the router base could be actually used as the Z

It has the unsupported rails and all thread rod for a screw. And the router mount built in

the more I describe it, the more it seems like a good idea ! LOL !

Rich

[jasoneule]

What router do you have? Is there any locking mechanism on the base to hold the router in a given position besides the all thread?

[TrickyCNC]

It's this one.

The springs hold the router up against the screw which brings the whole lot down against the base.

So if I fix the base to the Y axis, the screw labeled in the pic, would be the Z drive

[TrickyCNC]

oh, and yes, there is a cam lock, so hold the position anywhere between the Z stop and the fully down position

[ger21]

I don't think a plunge router is smooth enough for it to work with a stepper. I think it will bind. But you never know.

[TrickyCNC]

well, and experiment for one day then.

When you think what the metal guys do with their sliding dovetail beds ! ...

[louieatienza]

Originally Posted by TrickyCNC well, and experiment for one day then. When you think what the metal guys do with their sliding dovetail beds ! ...

On some of the higher end machines, the ways are layered with a material like Turcite, which allows smooth movevment. Some are manually or automatically oiled; even the small Sherline has an oiler...

[TrickyCNC]

well, I'll leave it for a rainy day then, when I have nothing better to do.

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