Build Thread- moving along

[Drools]

I'm working slowly on my machine, look here for pictures when I first started.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81174

I now have all the axis moving under stepper power. Everything feels tight, no slop from what I can tell. I just purchased some THK slides for my Z axis SHS15VISS 13" long, so I will ne redoing the Z Axis.
The X Axis Lead screw had a slight warp in it when I got it and now I can not spin it very fast before it vibrates which is a bummer. I hope the people I purchased it from will give me a new one; I have asked them now I have to wait for their reply.
It has been a long road and I can really appreciate all the work Ahren and Nate over at Fineline Automations have done. My design is somewhat loosely based upon their design. All the electronics are mounted in the unit under the monitor.
The cost has been somewhat more than I really wanted to spend but the final product is worth it. I probably spent over 100.00 at the hardware store alone on misc nuts and bolts! I just ordered a Wolfgang spindle which should be here this week or early next.
I'm not done yet, I have the Home/Limit switched to purchase and mount and wire the controls for Mach3 to turn the spindle on/off, and you can see the relay in one of the pictures. The top needs to be installed and some sort of slide protection from debris needs to be thought of.

[Northboy]

Great work there sir, your machine is looking great!


Makes me feel a little guilty that I started mine a couple months before you and I am not done yet.I haven't even touched it in two months..... Life is that thing that always gets in the way when you are trying to do six things at once.


Northboy

[Drools]

I know the feeling but I'm motivated by people bugging me for some PCBs, I wish there were less work hours and more tinkering hours.
I want to get the switches and MDF top mounted this week and just maybe my Wolfgang spindle will be here by weeks end. I may end up building a second Z axis using the THK slides I just purchased, I think they were a good deal (4 x 13" THK SHS15V1SS+340 for 32.00US inc shipping). My current Z-Axis just uses bushings but I think the bushing one will be fine for the Porter Cable and wood. There is no slop in it now, is this a safe assumption?

Questions:
1. I want to make a Auto Tool Zero Setter but correct me here, is it just a small piece of PCB which is wired to a pin on your BOB or Parallel port, along with software (macro)?
2. I also want to make a manual jog from a joystick or similar, I should search before I ask this one but maybe someone will post a link, saving me a couple hours of searching.
3. Are there Pros/Cons in using Optical vs. Mechanical Home/Limit switches?
4. Does anyone know how to straighten a slight warp in a lead screw?

Thanks for help.

[FandZ]

Originally Posted by Drools Questions: 2. I also want to make a manual jog from a joystick or similar, I should search before I ask this one but maybe someone will post a link, saving me a couple hours of searching. Thanks for help.

I used an old logitech controller and configured the logitech application based off of the keyboard function keys within mach 3. ( I got the idea from someone else on the forum) Basically keyboard up arrow become up on my thumb pad, down arrow down on my thumb pad, left, right, you get the point. I set X as All Home and the list goes on. Really, any input device that has software and accepts macros can be done.

I even contemplated useing my wireless mouse scroll wheel since it has left and right functions and other programmable buttons. Anyways that's easy and nothing more that a free to 20 dollar investment. Sorry I cant help you on the rest.

[FandZ]

Congrats on your progress man! Looking good . Looks like you have some nice hardware on there.

I also have a question. Can you tell me about the coupler you are useing on your lead screw? I'm attaching a picture of it with a circle. Looks like it has good dampening and alignment qualities. Also how much did it cost?

[Drools]

Thanks FandZ, it has been a blast building it.
I just kept searching eBay and I seen these ones @ 24.00 for 3 of them, plus 4 dollars for shipping. Sorry I can not give you any more details...

[FandZ]

Originally Posted by Drools Thanks FandZ, it has been a blast building it. I just kept searching eBay and I seen these ones @ 24.00 for 3 of them, plus 4 dollars for shipping. Sorry I can not give you any more details...

Shoot, I need that deal! lol

Looking through your pictures, Ebay came to mind with the assortment of different hardware. Looks like you have a knack for finding the deals. BTW, what will your Z axis clearance be?

[Drools]

I have been actively searching eBay for the parts that I might find useful. As for clearance , I'm not exactly sure how to measure it. If measured from the bottom of the Z-axis to the table top I would say 6 inches but that is adjustable, I have about an inch play moving the whole Y axis up and what ever I need adjusting it down. I love the 8020 1530 series, it has been wonderful stuff to work with.

[FandZ]

Originally Posted by Drools I have been actively searching eBay for the parts that I might find useful. As for clearance , I'm not exactly sure how to measure it. If measured from the bottom of the Z-axis to the table top I would say 6 inches but that is adjustable, I have about an inch play moving the whole Y axis up and what ever I need adjusting it down. I love the 8020 1530 series, it has been wonderful stuff to work with.

On my first machine I figured out I would have 5 inches of cutting length. Then once I was done and put a bit I said crap, now I only have 3 inches lol. I'm still working out how my next z axis will be. I'm contemplating 2 different mounting plates to allow me to get down close for small bits and one for longer bits.

[Drools]

I have been making a few things. I have yet to add the T-Track and some plastic chain link to hide the wires. You can see I added two 2 x 1/4 L brackets on the inside of the gantry. I have more of the brackets that I can drill and install if I need more support. I'm really thinking about purchasing more 8020 but not the 1530 that I used for the frame but the thinner wall stuff and use it for the table top.
I so far made a couple of signs and tested routing a PCB.
I'm working on my Eagle and pcb-gcode skills as I have a need to get some real PCBs of a prototype I did using perf board. I'm getting the feeling this thing is never going to be FINISHED!
In one of the pictures you can see my new Z-axis sitting on the table top. It is a 1" thick piece of Aluminum with THK rails, I need to get a lead screw from Fineline and some bearing blocks and motor mount from Precision Machining to finish it off. The original is working fine so far and I have worked the kinks out of the spindle now it is smooth and quiet.

[FandZ]

Originally Posted by Drools I have been making a few things. I have yet to add the T-Track and some plastic chain link to hide the wires. You can see I added two 2 x 1/4 L brackets on the inside of the gantry. I have more of the brackets that I can drill and install if I need more support. I'm really thinking about purchasing more 8020 but not the 1530 that I used for the frame but the thinner wall stuff and use it for the table top. I so far made a couple of signs and tested routing a PCB. I'm working on my Eagle and pcb-gcode skills as I have a need to get some real PCBs of a prototype I did using perf board. I'm getting the feeling this thing is never going to be FINISHED! In one of the pictures you can see my new Z-axis sitting on the table top. It is a 1" thick piece of Aluminum with THK rails, I need to get a lead screw from Fineline and some bearing blocks and motor mount from Precision Machining to finish it off. The original is working fine so far and I have worked the kinks out of the spindle now it is smooth and quiet.

Look at you, mister smarty pants with the slick little spindle setup. Nice job. You progressed pretty fast, I'm sure you'll get it all finished and then start a new thread for your next build ;P

[Drools]

Ongoing project, here is what it looks like now. Temporarily disassembled for an upgrade. It took me about an hour to bring it to what you see.