Max's Rockliff cnc router

[9xnet]

Well i have been building my router since yesterday and just got the gantry up and secured.

Im basing a lot of the mods to the design off of Don's router, since i like how it will save some time in building and by doubling up on the gantry support brace the router is rock solid.

I am keeping a blog on the build of the machine.
http://max-wilson.com/category/blog/cnc-machine/


Here is what it looks like as of posting this:

[9xnet]

Ok well im calling it a night, i just got the X axis test fited and its very smooth.

You might notice that im not using the 4 supporting blocks on the end, thats because when i made the gantry sides i made them screwed together so they are 100% identical. And it eneded up fitting with just some minor sanding to the z-x plate as expected.

I only have 3 clamps so i am going to have to buy a few more tomorrow after work, and hopefully i will get the z and y mounted tomorrow.

[Kammo1]

Hi that is a great build there and would like to know do they do the plans for this with a moving gantry ?? Cheers!

[9xnet]

I don't think they do, but it would not be that hard to modify the design to make it a moving gantry.

[dwacker]

Did you make the base longer so you could move the gantry forward without loosing part of your y axis?

Don

[9xnet]

Well i made the cutting area 18 x 18" so the base is 12" longer then the design in the manual.

I just got all 3 motors mounted tonight and all the rest of the parts needed to be glued, so if all goes well tomorrow i will get this baby runing...

[9xnet]

After running into some wiring issues causing one axis not to move i got the machine running, but unfortunately the 1/4" 20 rod wobbles to much and ripped the y axis nut out. And the motors would stall at 20 IPM.

So i just ordered some 1/2 10 acme rod, Flexible Spider Shaft Coupling and bearings to do the setup the right way.
Lucky McMaster has everything in-stock at los angeles so im gona drive over and pick it all up.

So i hope to get it converted to acme by the end of tomorrow, since i am staying home from work to get the machine done.

I will post up some photos and video once its running.

[9xnet]

I got the acme installed in the y and x axis today, i also got a real motor / rod coupling this time and bearings.

Check my blog link in first post for more images and info on the parts i put in it.

[9xnet]

Just installed the y axis today and got the machine fully working.
I dropped the y stepper so its damaged and stalls over 15 IPM, so i ordered a new stepper. But at least i can get the machine working and start learing the software.

The cnc is fully assembled!!!

I did jog all the axis and they are very smooth.

[Kammo1]

Hi how do you find the bronze bearings with the steel rod ?? are they a smooth ride on all axis and what sizes are you using for the X,Y and Z ?? and also how do you fix the bronze bearing into the MDF this is baffling me as I am definately going to go with your route as its reasonably priced here in the UK but before I cough up the money would like your advice on this, and by the way that is a superb looking machine!! What are the actual cutting dimensions of your machine. I am torn between a moving gantry or your design cant decide any pointers on whats swing and roundabouts with either machine ?

[macgemby]

Wow you made the rockcliff router in record time, you built a very nice machine, mine is still working almost a year now, I am looking at building the next one a bit larger like you have, great blog too.
Mac

[9xnet]

I just wedged them in and glued them in place, seems to work good and it is extremely smooth.

I should have 18x18x5 cutting area.

I was looking at a moving gantry design but i just didn't think i could make it all line up, so thats why i went with this design.
Its actually a really nice design, i just had to complicate it by going to acme and using 3/4" rod so i had to change the design a bit.

Originally Posted by macgemby Wow you made the rockcliff router in record time, you built a very nice machine, mine is still working almost a year now, I am looking at building the next one a bit larger like you have, great blog too. Mac

haha yea i wanted to get it done fast, i have about 2 full days, 2 half days and a few nights on the machine.