Hardware store designed , all metal, Desktop wide router for review

[FandZ]

This design has influences form Glaciarwonders design, Widgetmaster’s wide router, and uses some parts and ideas from CNCRouterparts.com. It’s a combination of aluminum angle (1x1x1/4) and steel flat plates for the frame and rails. Steel angles and skate bearings would be used for the linier motion, except for the z axis, which uses 2 linier carriages from CNCRouterparts. It’s about 22 inches wide and 16 inches deep. For now , it has a y travel of around 8 inches(/to infinity) and X travel around 16 inches. Z is about 5 inches.
Once built, it’s first job will be to mill out replacements for the current gantry beams which restricts Y travel .

I’m hoping it’ll have the strength needed to work a good bit in aluminum and copper. I still need to work out the mounting for an acme screw or ballscrew etc…
The biggest draw back to this design is the amount of drilling and metal cutting to be done. I’m calculating about 150 holes before all is said and done.
I think I have enough reinforcement for a really solid build. I’m probably going to draw a design based on 80/20 and price it. My only concerns with 80/20, since it’s my first build, if I mess up on a beam I’d have to wait for the next piece. With this design, if I mess up a cut or some holes, all I need is 6 bucks and a trip to lowes.

I’m attaching the sketchup file if you’d like to review it more closely. I’m really concerned about the Z axis, since it’ll only be supported from the front. I’m contemplating about designing a Z axis that is supported on two rails that straddle the gantry from the front and back.

I’d appreciate any suggestions. I’m also looking for guidance on acme and balls screws. Where to place them and what parts go in what order. What all I need etc to really complete this design..

This is a rough draft so not all the holes have been made. Some need to be replaced.

I hope you guys like it.

Thanks, Chris

[FandZ]

Sketchup file

[FandZ]

So what's up guys? Did I design a jalopy? Any suggestions?

[jwillhite]

Awesome design idea... different then any I've seen. How much do you think the structure would set you back? Maybe this could be a more cost effective alternative to 8020.. that stuff is pretty pricey. And like you said if a piece gets messed up it's easy enough to get another one.

My machine is about the same size the 8020 for it cost me 550 not including shipping..

-Josh

[FandZ]

Originally Posted by jwillhite Awesome design idea... different then any I've seen. How much do you think the structure would set you back? Maybe this could be a more cost effective alternative to 8020.. that stuff is pretty pricey. And like you said if a piece gets messed up it's easy enough to get another one. My machine is about the same size the 8020 for it cost me 550 not including shipping.. -Josh

I haven't done and exact cost look up. But Angle aluminum runs about $7.00 per 42 or 46 inches. Hot or cold rolled steel is cheap enough. I'm guessing the structure part would be around 100.00 to 130ish(bearings and all). Once I finalize the design, then I'm going to look to fine tune it to make the most of the cuts I'll need to make.

Did you see any problem areas?

[ger21]

Originally Posted by FandZ Did you see any problem areas?

I think the gantry should be riding on two sets of bearings, but to get the same travel, you'd need to increase the length. I'd also drive the gantry from both sides, or you may get some racking.

[FandZ]

[QUOTE=ger21;536024]I think the gantry should be riding on two sets of bearings, but to get the same travel, you'd need to increase the length. I'd also drive the gantry from both sides, or you may get some racking.[/QUOTE

Anyway you could circle the trouble areas you are talking about? I'm still not fully up to speed on the cnc lingo. I'm thinking you are talking about the Y axis.

[ger21]

Something like this.

[FandZ]

Originally Posted by ger21 Something like this.

Thanks Gery. Before I build the whole thing I'm going to build one rail as a test. I also have an idea of extending a lead bearing that would be centered on the top and bottom. I'm worried about getting all my whole drill to an exact placement.

[ger21]

Instead of using two, the extended bearing would probably do the trick

[FandZ]

Originally Posted by ger21 Instead of using two, the extended bearing would probably do the trick

I hear ya. Kinda give it less leverage. I'm working on a revision now where I incorporate a longer bearing, yet keep the travel.

[FandZ]

Originally Posted by ger21 Instead of using two, the extended bearing would probably do the trick

Thanks again for your suggestion. It made me look at it a different way. It'll take me a day or two to get some time to work on it but in the revision I should gain nearly all the workable space on the x axis.

Shoot, I'm going to go buy me a drill press tomorrow. I have a cnc machine to make!