Build Thread- Well, why not

[Ultralajt]

I am a member of this forum for a long time already. I mostly read forum and never make any post. But now, I have something to share with this comunity!

I finally start to build a CNC router/mill for making RC model parts out from a balsa wood and soft birch plywood. Maybe, if a machine will show better precision as expected, some molds from a dense molding foam can allso be carved, for fast prototyping of composite fuselages.

I dont expect much, as I opted for the cheap build using standard aluminum profiles. They will be mostly bolted and riveted together.

Some technical data:

Power supply and Controller: purchased from hobbycnc.
Net working area: 600 x 400 x 100mm.
Outer dimensions: ~ 860 x 710 x 530 mm
X axis guide (lenghtvise): ball bearings over an aluminum profiles
Y axis guide (crosswise): ball bearings over a steel rods
Z axis guide (vertical): brass sliding bushes over a steel rods
Stepper motors: Minbea 17 size, from a head drive of Epson Stylus 1500 (if they prove to be too weak, I will purchase stonger)

Up to this moment, I cut all necessarry profiles to proper length.

Now it is time to start bolting them together.

And a couple of photos:


Power supply and controller


Some of the profiles. Cross section 30 x 30 x 2mm.


Some of the gantry parts.


You can visit my Blog, to see more photos of this "project".

So much for now. I intend to start bolting stuff together shortly. I will report here about the progress.

If encounter some problems, I hope to find support here from you guys!

Regards!

Mitja

[Ultralajt]

This is how I suppose, my machine will look, when finished. I didnt pay much attention to properly draw details (up to technical drawings standards), as drawings serves me just to get dimensions of construction members and proper location of holes to drill.
Not shown in the drawings, there will be a support for the electrical stuff on rear end of the machine. I will bolt a large plastic casing (housing) and install controller and power supply in there.

Mitja

[FandZ]

Hey, I like your rails and rollers. They are very similar to the type I hope to make. http://www.cnczone.com/forums/attach...4&d=1229638274 Although, the holy grail of this type of motion is the ones from cncrouterparts.com http://www.cncrouterparts.com/store.html

Running the rollers on square aluminum like that, are you afraid that the rail may twist? Also why did you not op to go with steel? Do you think the aluminum will be strong enough?

[Ultralajt]

Originally Posted by FandZ Hey, I like your rails and rollers. They are very similar to the type I hope to make. http://www.cnczone.com/forums/attach...4&d=1229638274 Although, the holy grail of this type of motion is the ones from cncrouterparts.com http://www.cncrouterparts.com/store.html Running the rollers on square aluminum like that, are you afraid that the rail may twist? Also why did you not op to go with steel? Do you think the aluminum will be strong enough?

Thank you for the link! (and I was thinking it was my invention )

Regarding aluminum profiles for a rail, I assume that it will hold a while, as this machine is intend to work only balsa wood and soft white polar plywood not thicker than 3 mm. So forces should be relatively low...and stress on the machine structure allso.

If time will show fast accumulating of the freeplay due deforming the rail aluminum, I will add a steel profile instead. I think, it should not be a major problem to replace as steel profile of the same dimension is available.

Regards!

Mitja

[FandZ]

There is one problem in your design that you will have to deal with. With your roller being parallel to your spindle, you are going to end up with debree under your bearings, causing racking and what not or at the very least severyly reduced lifespan on your bearings ( With the aluminum, It may just end up warping your rails or roller carriage). Your could lay down some angle right beside it to give your Y rollers some protection.

In my design thread, I first started like you, with them on the same level, but once someone pointed it out I moved them beneath the table. Here is some pictures to give you an idea.

Since you already started your build, there's no point in mounting them beneath but I think you will have to come up with a solution to keep those square rails clean.

Anyways, looking forward to your progress.
Chris

Originally Posted by Ultralajt Thank you for the link! (and I was thinking it was my invention ) Regarding aluminum profiles for a rail, I assume that it will hold a while, as this machine is intend to work only balsa wood and soft white polar plywood not thicker than 3 mm. So forces should be relatively low...and stress on the machine structure allso. If time will show fast accumulating of the freeplay due deforming the rail aluminum, I will add a steel profile instead. I think, it should not be a major problem to replace as steel profile of the same dimension is available. Regards! Mitja

[Ultralajt]

Originally Posted by FandZ ... Since you already started your build, there's no point in mounting them beneath but I think you will have to come up with a solution to keep those square rails clean. Anyways, looking forward to your progress. Chris

Thanks Chris for your comments.

I am thinking about a brushes mounted on each side of moving rollers assembly, that will clean rails on each pass. I dont know what will be more effective..a brush or plastic plow (plough)
Also I am thinking about a vacuum cleaner with a smaller flexible hose attached near a router drill bit, to suck wooden dust. But, I am not a fan of this solution..to listen the noice of machine, router and also a vacuum cleaner.

I will certainly report my progress...

Mitja

BTW, I like your sketches!

[FandZ]

I thought about going with bristles too, but the problem with that is eventually bristles will come out and then your stuck with running over a bristle. A plow may work but I think it'll be more trouble that it is worth. And no mater what, you still will have material being flung from the spindle a few feet in all directions. I think your best option will be to mount a plexi wall on an angle right besides the rollers and rail. You'll loose a few inches X travel but you will get nearly perfect protection for your rollers and you will have a lot less cleanup to do around your shop.

If you look around, you'll see a lot of regular builds where they put up plexi just to deal with the flying swarf after the machine was built. Having hot pieces of aluminum flung at you isn't comforting..lol

The first thing my machine will be making will be a water cooled enclosure to contain the noise and mess. Unfortunately, I don't have a garage so I have to be a little inventive. Better than being a bad neighbor.

[Ultralajt]

Hmm...a plexi fence is a clever and simple solution! Thanks!

I was diligent today!
It was a first time, that gantry was attached to the machine table. Of course I didnt tight all bolts. They will be set properly and tighten when I will assemble parts for real. This was only to play a bit with todays work.

Video:

YouTube - DIY CNC -Gantry first assembly

YouTube - DIY CNC -Gantry first assembly

Regards!

Mitja

[FandZ]

Wow, you are really moving along. Looks great. Inspires me to hurry up and get started.

[Ultralajt]

Originally Posted by FandZ Wow, you are really moving along. Looks great. Inspires me to hurry up and get started.

Yes, it goes together pretty fast, but I am affraid, that things will slow down seriously, when I will start to work on electric part of the machine.
I expect troubles finding proper wiring the steppers, wiring end switches, and routing all that wires to the controller the best possible way. Allso, I expect problems with learning how to use Mach 3program... how to set proper rotation of steppers (speed and direction)...and many more.

Mitja

[flyboy1015]

Don't worry about wiring and software. There are plenty of people here who can help with that part. I've had my machine running for a little over a year now and I still run into things that I learn from. Keep up the good work. It will really pay off in the end.

[Nikonauts]

Originally Posted by Ultralajt Hmm...a plexi fence is a clever and simple solution! Thanks! I was diligent today! It was a first time, that gantry was attached to the machine table. Of course I didnt tight all bolts. They will be set properly and tighten when I will assemble parts for real. This was only to play a bit with todays work. Video: YouTube - DIY CNC -Gantry first assembly Regards! Mitja

hello Mitja,

can you please provide a close up picture of your roller assembly?

-Nik-