80/20 CNC Router

[ajmoir]

Well after about a year or so being occupied with other stuff I've eventually started my own router. I don't have a machine shop so I'm trying to use prefab parts for everything, BigBlue saw etc may get some business making conversion plates.

I'm beginning with 3"x3"x48" beams but the idea is everything works out I'll buy longer rails and belts to have a 4'x8'x6" cutting area. I may need to go to 3"x6" beams but I hope not.

I'm starting with 8020 linear bearings and they seem good enough for a home router.

I plan to splurge on the motors and controllers as I can re-use these on other projects.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/moir/se...7600119819806/

I'll post progress as I go.

[rens_factory]

Nice materials to build with
Good luck to you, i'll be watching this.
What program are you going to use to control the machine?

greetings

[ajmoir]

I plan to use the EMC2 software running under Linux on a cheap ITX system from ebay

[rens_factory]

emc, yes that seems to be the best free program.
unfortunaly i dont understand linux, and have read al about at, but
can not figure it out
now i have a trial version of mach3 (works till 1000 gcode lines)
when i have my machine functional i will buy the license of mach3.

good luck to your machine.

[voltsandbolts]

I’ll have to keep an eye on your build, I just recently finished a jgro style router and it does a good job for a pile of hardware store parts. I have been toying with the idea of building an 80/20 machine for awhile and have work up some basic plans. I am going to make a small PC board router around 12” x 14” I would like to try the 8020 slides but have my doubts, I use 8020 at work and know the slides aren’t too bad if you shim them up just right.

I look forward to following your progress. Good luck! And good building!

RobWms

[voltsandbolts]

Oh, and another parallel, I am exploring Ubuntu & EMC2, The price is right! But am currently using AutoCAD, Ace converter and TurboCNC.

[ajmoir]

Not not sure how accurate the slide will be for that size machine, but I would give it a go because the price is most certainly right. :-)

[ajmoir]

Build is progressing, or should I say funds are diminishing.

I think I have all the framing required except for 2xlinear slides from 8020. Watching ebay daily :-)

Motors are purchased 3x34 and 3x23, I'll have 2x23 left over, Keling
Gecko 201s purchased, Gecko where else
Power supply purchased 50V/12V/5V, Antec
Z-axis plates sent to BigBlueSaw for machining
Various bits from McMaster

Only thing left to build is the belt drives, it would seem nobody does bolt on belt drives for 8020, plenty of very nice drives for custom extrusions. There has to be a big market here for stuff that bolts to 8020. Anyhow I'm in the process of designing my own, Nema34 to an independent shaft with a directional roller above, should work. Emachine shop will probably get the business as it involves bending 1/4" plate 6060. I expect it to be pricey :-(

One thing that is apparent is this hardware stuff is not as bendable as software :-( I have a small stack of parts that I bought and are not going to be part of the finished machine. Is this usual in machine builds or is it my lack of knowledge/skill that is causing it?

[ajmoir]

Well it continues :-)

I just scored the slides from 8020 I wanted, should have them for this weekend.

I picked up my breakout board, so my electrics are complete.

Another lesson learned was that whenever you buy the 8020 extrusion always, always have the end holes tapped, I'm not looking forward to doing that this weekend. It would have been so much easier if I'd had the shop do it to begin with.

The spindle stuff, z-axis, heat sinks etc is being sent to big blue saw. I recommend them as they have done good work for me.

I have the designs for the belt drive finished and should have them sent by this weekend to emachine shop. Parts will be from SDP/SI.

Parts still to have machined
3x belt drives
3x belt returns
1x z-axis mount plate
1x z-axis bearing plate
1x spindle mount
4x Gecko heatsinks/mounting plates

I'll be posting my dxf files as I verify they are correct.

End of this weekend I should have the frame all together, the electrics tested. I should also have all my remaining parts ordered. Looking forward to turning this thing on.

[SimonArthur]

Thanks for recommending us. Send some photos when you're done and I'll make sure that they get on the Big Blue Saw website.

[studysession]

Looks nice. I am using 8020 aluminum 10 series. I have the 8020 bearings on my Z axis. Works nice for what I need.

[ajmoir]

Hi,

took a look at your site and I have a question. You seem to pay no heed to aerodynamics, surely some sort of streamlined body/chassis would be a lot faster? The set up you have seems to be like pushing a house brick around?