New Machine Build- air router.in mind

[lgalla]

GOT some bearings to start,don't know what to do with them.I plan on a dual Z axis, the bearings are HRW-21 and HRW-27 the screws are THK-1605 and2005.From Ger-21 thread.Start of a new design,I wish to have a dual Z capable of supporting a 5 HP spindle in the future.I don't need much Z travel.Also I wish to use one rail and two blocks for each Z axis.I would lean towards the HRW-27 as they have huge ratings for loads of the moment.
THE outher pic's are HSR-20 44"long NIB X 3.With butt joints looks like a good Y axis. Any comments or ideas?
larry

[ger21]

Those things are massive. Either should be more than adequate.

[lgalla]

I think I will use the big HRW-27 as4"to 6" of travel is fine.First problem,the blocks are such low profile they would have to be mounted on stand offs to allow the screws and nuts to be under the Z carrage plate.I suppose some sort of side drive is in order.Does it matter if the screws are not centered under the Z carrage plate?Any design help is welcomed.I would like to keep the distance as tight as possible from the Z to the Y beam.
Larry

[ger21]

Don't use standoffs, use solid blocks as spacers. Shouldn't matter if the screws are centered, because those rails won't allow any twisting from off center forces.

[eloid]

can mach handle dual z axis? Are the z axis a independant travel ie drill and spindle?
my next build will be 9x5 set up, with dual y axis slaved motors
with removable and build in lathe option as need ... my question is what required for dual z axis for harware and can mach3 / or the future ver 4? handle it?

[ger21]

You can use the Swap Axis command to call them both the Z axis, or you can name the second A, B, or C and use that.

Mach3 v4 is supposed to add support for multiple spindles.

[lgalla]

Hi Eloid,
Yes the 2 Z are independent for 2 spindles or a spindle and a drill.Hopefully,later 2 spindles and a piggyback drill can be added.If you are planning 5'x9',the gantry beam has to be almost 8'long.Have a look at Gerry's thread...start of a new design...
I got millions of ideas from the thread.
Larry

[eloid]

Originally Posted by lgalla Hi Eloid, Yes the 2 Z are independent for 2 spindles or a spindle and a drill.Hopefully,later 2 spindles and a piggyback drill can be added.If you are planning 5'x9',the gantry beam has to be almost 8'long.Have a look at Gerry's thread...start of a new design... I got millions of ideas from the thread. Larry

what will control the dual z's mach? iv seen ganged .... 4 spindle setup
2 spindle per both sides of the x axis

[lgalla]

MACH-3 can control 6 axis.In this case 2 axis for X and one axis for Y leaving 3 axis control for Z.

[eloid]

Originally Posted by lgalla MACH-3 can control 6 axis.In this case 2 axis for X and one axis for Y leaving 3 axis control for Z.

what are you planning on using to generate the g code?, i would assume there would be some (perhapps lots) manual copy and pasting and some manual editing of the gcode to syn /redirect the two z axis seperatly....

it would be cool if mach4... could do a rought cut and finish cut at the same time with spindle offset x distance from you frist router/ spindle.
Your y axis would have to have some smarts to know to make a longer sweeps for this to occur in conjunction with the 2 z axis....

[ger21]

It's very simple to do with Mach3 right now. Just configure your post processor to output a Swapaxis() instead of an M6. Or change your M6 macro to do the swap axis. And set up an offset (like G55) for the tool offset and call it with the Swapaxis.

[eloid]

Originally Posted by ger21 It's very simple to do with Mach3 right now. Just configure your post processor to output a Swapaxis() instead of an M6. Or change your M6 macro to do the swap axis. And set up an offset (like G55) for the tool offset and call it with the Swapaxis.

im still very new to g code and have a learning curve a head of me ger21


So this is required every time you run your machine or is this one time set up
please explain.. try to understand the concept ... of the software changes that are required.

Would you be able to run 2 spindle and one time with the g55 tool offset
ie rough pass and second spindle finish pass.. not sure how complex the gcode would be as a result of that.... for the different z postions....as mentioned in the line above?