New Machine Build- mini-router build

[tmbg]

Hi folks,

I've started building a mini-router of my own design, somewhat inspired from some other machines I've seen on here (ok, very heavily inspired by).

I have the Z axis mostly built. Only thing I'm lacking so far is having the linear rails screwed down to the supports. They're a MAJOR pain to drill and tap! I got a carbide spotting drill in the mail today, and I can successfully drill them, but I've only managed to tap one hole, but broken four taps. Not a good ratio so far.


Here's a video of my Z axis, driven by a cordless drill:

YouTube - Cnc mini router z axis test

YouTube - Cnc mini router z axis test

[FandZ]

Originally Posted by tmbg Hi folks, I've started building a mini-router of my own design, somewhat inspired from some other machines I've seen on here (ok, very heavily inspired by). I have the Z axis mostly built. Only thing I'm lacking so far is having the linear rails screwed down to the supports. They're a MAJOR pain to drill and tap! I got a carbide spotting drill in the mail today, and I can successfully drill them, but I've only managed to tap one hole, but broken four taps. Not a good ratio so far. Here's a video of my Z axis, driven by a cordless drill: YouTube - Cnc mini router z axis test

I'm looking forward to this build. Everyone goes bigger and better, would be nice to see a mini cnc machine.

I'm guessing that was about 3 inches of travel on your Z. What will be your tables working area? Also what do you plan to use for a spindle?

[tmbg]

It's 3.5" travel for Z. I happen to have a piece of 1/2" 6061 which is 12x11-3/4", so I'm designing the table around that. Travel will probably be a couple inches shy; if I can get 9x9 out of it I'll be happy. The gantry is already machined, and it's 12" long. The Z Axis body is 2.25", so Y travel ought to be about 9.75". X may be a bit shorter, depending on how big the X slide block ends up.

I have one of the cheap ebay 56,000rpm air spindles that I'll probably use right away, but down the road I am thinking about making a simple little spindle similar to what's on buildyouridea.com, and maybe using an RC brushless motor to drive it. They're small, light, POWERFUL, and easy to speed-control.


I intend to build bigger machines when this one is done. I am acquiring ballscrews and linear slides/bearings for a maybe 2'x3' machine, and I'd really like to build myself a plasma table.

[tmbg]

since I've been having problems with the stupid rails, I decided to go ahead and finalize the design on the table and base and start machining.

Also, I got my hobbycnc kit, got the driver built, and have mach3 setup and running the motors. Now I just need to get something that I can attach a motor to and watch the happy.


Here's some pics of building the base and table. The table has 9 1/4" T-slots. They were a big pain to machine; I had to run around 1.2ipm or the cutter teeth would just load up solid with galled aluminum. The table's counterbored for 5 10-32 cap screws per side, and the bearing blocks are tapped accordingly.

Edit: Hah, I have no idea how one of those pictures ended up upside down. Crane your neck and use your imagination

[FandZ]

Robust.. Looks great. 1.2inches per minute must have felt like an eternity but it came out great. Can't wait till I have a machine I can mill some metal with.

[tmbg]

got the rails cut, leadscrew turned down and installed.


I managed to break a tap off in one of the holes, and break a screw in another. I'm on a roll today. I'll probably have to remake one of the bearing blocks

[tmbg]

Here's my approach to motor standoffs.

I hate turning very small diameters in the lathe, I always manage to screw it up. This was what I came up with to avoid buying standoffs.

I may end up rotating them 90 degrees so that it acts as something of a swarf shield.

[tmbg]

Y and Z axes are coupled and driven by Mach3. I don't have a Y slide block yet, but Z is traveling nicely!

YouTube - Z axis first g code test

YouTube - Z axis first g code test

I'm having some issues with my hobbycnc board; one axis doesn't seem to work at all, and another doesn't give any torque at all. It's a four axis board. Not sure what's going on there

[tmbg]

Z car mounted on the Gantry. It's tighter than I'd like... I hope the motor can move it :P

[jalessi]

Tmbg,

Awesome work, looks very professional!

Jeff...

[FandZ]

Originally Posted by tmbg Z car mounted on the Gantry. It's tighter than I'd like... I hope the motor can move it :P

I can see your rails clear enough but what kind of roller assemblies are you useing? Everything looks great btw.

[tmbg]

they're just oilite bushings.