Need Help!- How much 80/20 will I need roughly

[Drools]

I'm leanuing towards using 80/20 for my X and Y axis and I'm looking for a rough idea on the lengh required for a 3' by 2' mill. Well actually my lead screws have 24" threads with machined ends (Y) and 36" threads with machined ends (X). I will end up with X travel some what shorter than 36" and a Y travel just short of 24".
I'm leaning towards 20' of 80/20 1530 does this sound reasonable?
2 pieces ~38" long.
3 pieces ~24" long X axis cross braces.
4 pieces ~24-28" gantry.
I was looking for some free plans using 80/20 but not found any yet.

Thanks for the help.

[jalessi]

You must have missed this thread then!

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73670

Jeff...

[jalessi]

Link to the Free Plans.

http://www.cncrouterparts.com/cad.html

[Drools]

Yes I have downloaded and looked at the e-drawings but I did not find any dimensions and probably rightly so as the author is selling the products. These give me a good idea and I have looked at them many times.

[JeLC]

I downloaded plans for the JPGO(?) router, but had to make some changes because of differences in the length of lead screws I bought, etc. I basically ended up redrawing the plans from scratch. That served two purposes. (1) I ended up with extremely close dimensions on everything and (2) I was totally familiar with every part I made and put together. I know AutoCAD pretty well, but ended up using Google SketchUP. It's one of the easiest 3D drawing programs I've ever used and it's free, and it's pretty robust as far as features.

Just a suggestion!!!!

[Drools]

I played with SolidWorks today and all the tools are there to measure and do everything I need. It looks to be about 18' of 1530 with some 2' of 1545 and 3 ft of 3030 in the free plans mentioned above.
That is a good start.

[ahren]

Drools,
I don't mind at all if you buy the extrusion yourself. While the plans do not allow for taking dimensions, this is due to an error in edrawings 2009, not because I don't want you measuring them. Check out this page for a cut list (with costs!) for extrusion to build the machine in the plans:

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...t=73670&page=5

Good luck with your build, and let me know if I can help!

Ahren
www.cncrouterparts.com

[plcamp]

Originally Posted by ahren Drools, I don't mind at all if you buy the extrusion yourself. While the plans do not allow for taking dimensions, this is due to an error in edrawings 2009, not because I don't want you measuring them. Check out this page for a cut list (with costs!) for extrusion to build the machine in the plans: http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...t=73670&page=5 Good luck with your build, and let me know if I can help! Ahren www.cncrouterparts.com

Good work with your router and the associated plans..

SolidWorks 2009 will create measureable eDrawings and these steps always work for me:
1. From within the SolidWorks environment select the 'Save As' option
2. Change the 'Type of File' to be saved as eDrawings (*.eprt)
3. Do Not Save just yet and select the 'Options' button makeing sure the 'Okay to Measure' feature is selected. This enables the measure feature within the eDrawing program when the file is opened.
4. Select the OK button to return to the previous screen
5. SAVE the file

The resulting *.eprt file can now be opened with the eDrawings viewer and all of the geometry is measurable.

Going one step farther if you decide to send eDrawing files via email to a recipiant without the viewer, a *.exe file can be created enabling viewing without the actual eDrawings viewer.

Hope this helps...Paul

[ahren]

Paul,

Thanks for your input. All of these steps were executed exactly as you describe, including the "OK to measure" checkbox. I am not on Solidworks 2009 yet, so perhaps the issue is with Solidworks 2008 edrawings export. However, I know that I can take measurements with edrawings 2008, and not edrawings 2009 on the same set of plans. Unfortunately, edrawings 2008 does not appear to be available for download any longer.

Regardless, we're working on putting the plans in a better format (3D pdf), along with exploded views and more instructions. For now, if you just want an extrusion cut list, the lengths of extrusion are available within the BOM spreadsheet in the current plans.

Ahren
www.cncrouterparts.com

[dxhale]

Drools,

I not sure if you have fully looked through the plans yet. There is a file located in the downloaded zip file under documents folder that has a bill of materials (BOM). The BOM is pretty accurate on what is needed for 8020 and also other parts of the machine. I purchesed all my 8020 off ebay from 8020 garage sale for about $270 shipped

Just a little shout out - From my experince with Ahren (only purchased the anti-backlash nuts), he produces quality products and ships quickly! I'm a machinest by trade and had access to a machine shop so I was able to make the other parts. Ahren's prices are pretty compettive.

[Drools]

I purchased some 80/20 1530 series from the same place this week. Since the frame (X/Y) is the only piece of my build I have left to complete I cannot use the designs exactly as shown and I would not feel right if I did as these are something someone worked hard to make. My buddy loaned me his laptop with AutoCAD on it along with a plug-in that has all the 80/20 pieces as complete blocks. I have played a bit and I think things will work out.
I have to thank everyone here as I had not a clue of what I was doing prior to setting out on this adventure but now I'm very confident that I will have a working mill maybe by the end of the month.
I will take some pictures and post somewhat of a build blog when I have a design that looks promising.