New Machine Build- 8020 style aluminum cnc router

[rwaudio]

Here's a little on my cnc project.
the entire frame, including gantry, z axis etc are made from t-slot extrusion.
I used bosch rexroth, salvaged from some old machine at work.
Linear bearings on precision rod (should have gone with suppored rails, but this was going to be a budget mdf build till I came across the bosch, I may upgrade later)
Acme 1/2-8 2 start threaded rod with dumpstercnc antibacklash nuts, acme threaded couplers and collar clamps. (these things are amazing!!!) motors and controller are xylotex 405in/lb 3 axis. The computer and controller are built into the hammond enclosure below the machine.
It will be cutting in a few weeks I hope, things are coming along nicely.
Thanks for all the ideas from the great builds here!

(pictures to follow tonight, after I resize them at home)

[airbrush]

This is a solid looking machine. I've been lurking on the boards for some time now researching for my first build. Originally i was going to do a wood version(rockcliff plans), but i have a feeling I would not be totally happy with the end results and rigidity of it. The t-slot extrusions look like a great way to build the machine. Did it require any special tooling to make it? It looks like most of it is just plain straight cuts.
I'm also in Canada, what was your source for parts, metal etc? How much invested in extrusions etc.
Did you base this off of any plans?
Any info on your build would be much appreciated.
thanks

[rwaudio]

Thanks airbrush,
As for the t-slots, I got it all for nothing. It was salvaged from a machine collecting dust in the corner at work. The only drawback, I had to adjust machine dimensions to fit the parts I had to work with, then it was just a matter of using what I had to build the machine I wanted. But I would estimate 1200-1800 worth of t-slot material, including hardware. You'll notice I don't have brackets bolted to everything to hold the parts together, the bosch came with internal connectors that you tighten on the side to create end joints. (very handy and easy to work with). I then added $100 worth of aluminum to create some of the other parts, motor mounts etc. The only tools I've used are a drill press and a 7 1/2" miter saw with a carbide blade (cuts the extrusion and aluminum bar very nicely) Everything is straight cut, the screws are simply cut to length and I used couplers etc from dumpstercnc. I based it on the parts I had to work with, and other designs I saw on here and around the net, it's not based on a plan, but it's coming together quite nicely. Where in Canada are you?

[crocky]

Nice looking machine, love that tubing

[airbrush]

Originally Posted by rwaudio Where in Canada are you?

In out in Ontario...wish I had free stuff like that to play around with.

[rwaudio]

I'm in Calgary,
And I have to admit that the free stuff took my build to the next level. I actually purchased the rockcliff plans, good for an entry level machine but that's about it. What I'd recommend is a machine partially made of extrusion. If I did it again, I would probably make the gantry and z-axis out of aluminum bar/plate as it could be more compact and lower. A large gantry like what I built would be great for a fixed gantry/moving table design, I'll have to see if I have any weak links in mine when I start cutting. The machine is VERY rigid though, and the t-slots make final adjustment tweaking so easy since everything can move in the t-slots. There are only 2 or 3 parts that actually have to be precision made since everything else was designed to move into place (upto a few inches on most parts).
The extrusion I used actually came from Ontario, we buy all our framing kits (at work) from a place called Advanced Motion http://www.advancedmotion.com/Products/Bosch.htm it could end up being pricey, but you send them a design and they cut all the parts, include the required fasteners and ship it off to you. They also have cad software that you can design your machine with using their parts etc. It will create an order sheet/BOM. (just to be clear this isn't how I made my machine, but this is how our engineers design our frames and order the parts) I'd say this would be a great way for people who have a little extra money in the budget, are good with cad, but perhaps not so good with hand tools. (isn't this what the cnc machine does for us in the end anyways???)

[KTP]

That is exactly what I decided to do with the extrusion I had (fixed gantry, moving table). People knock 8020 as being too wimpy, but I think if you make use of triangles and the inline fasteners it is pretty decent material.

I like the looks of your machine. I will probably do a moving gantry after I finish this fixed gantry. Here is a link to the thread where you can see how I supported the gantry with 45 degree struts:

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...211#post449211

I found that if you use a 1/2" diameter endmill into the 45 degree strut, you can create a countersunk hole that just fits a cap head 5/16" bolt, allowing a bracketless way of attaching the strut to the horizontal and vertical members.

[airbrush]

I lived in Calgary for a very brief stint a while back.

Originally i was thinking of doing a rockcliff machine but doing it out of aluminum plate as I would like to have the option open to cut aluminum and soft metals with my machine and would prefer to build once.
As it would be my first machine what would you recommend, i see rockcliff also has a moving gantry design, fixed or moving gantry? Whats your opinion on the design and plans from rockcliff?

I don't plan on building the machine too big as i have limited space. I was thinking something like 24x24x6. Maybe a taller z, as i would like to outfit a 4th rotary axis.

[rwaudio]

I'm not sure if I would build a rockcliff type machine now that I've gone another direction, I guess it would depend on your budget and the type of work you would like to do with it. My machine is very rigid, but I wish I would have gone with supported rails, I may upgrade later on. If you would like to build once, aluminum is a must as I'm sure that over time the wood version wouldn't last unless it's for light duty work. I would also go with linear bearings over bushings, or atleast a skate bearing design. If you build it right the first time it will save money in the long run. (I should have saved a little longer and gone with some better rails, even though it's hard to justify initially) There are a ton of designs out there, and there's something that should work for your application, or just take ideas from different designs and put them together. Some handy parts for me were the dumpstercnc pieces, looks a little expensive at first but they're work their weight in gold for the work that they save not having to machine the screws and stuff.

[airbrush]

yah, i was planning on linear bearings...came across this interesting link while browsing:
http://www.buildyouridea.com/cnc/hbl...e8/phase8.html

[rwaudio]

The machine is coming along nicely, I did the first cuts on the weekend.
here's some updated pictures and a short/crappy video.

YouTube - First cut diy cnc

YouTube - First cut diy cnc

[crocky]

Very good, gives you some satisfaction when it starts moving on it's own

Mine is here and uses the ITEM frame, very similar to 8020 http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35996