Newbie- Thinking of a CNC router build, advice please

[janmclare]

Hi Guys,

New to the forum, some great designs on here. Thinking about building a homemade CNC router and looking for a bit of advice.

I'm in the UK so not really sure if a lot of the stuff available to those in the US has a equivilant here.

The plan is to build a CNC router 3' x 3'. It needs to be strong enought to mill aluminium. Speed is not that much of a concern but accuracy is (I'd be happy with 0.01"). Not going to use it all that much. I want to build telescope components for my other hobby, astroimaging. Thickest peice of aluminimum i'd want to machine would be around 1/2".

Looking at the web, youtube vids and other home made builds i came upon this design...

http://www.onel.se/all_files/images.html

It looks pretty simple, looking at the rails i would probably double up at the sides. Whats the concencous on this design? The aluminium blocks for this i could get made up by a machine shop.

Motors...

Can somebody spec me a decent set from the site below? i was thinking of a Geckodrive G540 so would prefer a decent set of motors for this controller. Around £70 max would be my budget for each motor.

UK FARNELLONE SANYO DENKI STEPPER MOTORS


I already have BOSCH GMF 1400 CE router so was thiking of using that on the machine itself.

Software i was thinking of using would be Mach3.

Not sure if i've left anything out but please feel free to add your thoughts.


thanks,

Jan

[ger21]

Unsupported rails are bad, especially if you want to cut aluminum

[Crevice Reamer]

Hi. Welcome to the Zone!

I don't see ANY decent motors for G540 on that site.

Keling has reasonable international shipping. Why not email Keling for shipping cost to UK?

These are my suggested electronics:


http://crevicereamer.com/Page__57.html
CR.

[Crevice Reamer]

Fixed the link.

CR.

[janmclare]

Hi Guys,

Would a sliding guide rail system attached to the base to support the sliding blocks be sufficient.

CR. yes buying from Keling is possible, I would have to order the G540 from the US so i could order the motors. Looking at that site i could probably buy a ready made contoller box containing the G540 and a suitable powersupply for 230v.

Any steppers that would suit my needs and budget on the kelling you could recommend?

thanks,

Jan

[Crevice Reamer]

On Stepper motor page. They ARE available for immediate delivery:

KL23H2100-35-4B (1/4” Dual shaft with a flat) 381 oz-in
Specification Price: $49 in Production (2.8 mH)
Can be used for G540, G251, G250 or any other driver

Did you see the entire list?:

http://crevicereamer.com/Page__57.html

CR.

[Crevice Reamer]

Jan: Unless you are going to be running FOUR 3.5A motors, (In which case this $107 10A PSU is what you need: http://www.antekinc.com/details.php?p=209) you won't need that expensive 12.5V PSU. The $60 7.3A one will do you fine.

Check out the $75 ABS G540 box at Camtronics:

http://s120220635.onlinehome.us/stepper-components.asp

CR.

[janmclare]

Thanks for that appreciate it

Would the sliding guiderail attached to the base and the sliding blocks be enough support.

I guess if its not i could use the first machine to machine parts for a more complicated design?


Jan

BTW nice site you've got there. I'm going to read through it tomorrow as i've been looking for a single source, reading bits here and there makes it difficult for a newbie.

[audioandy1762]

Hi Jan

For a UK supplier take a look at zapp automation I think you might find all you need here.

I have no interest in the above company just a happy customer.

Andy

[janmclare]

Andy thanks for that link, i might get my ballscrews from there and possibly the linear motion rails. Other stuff is a little bit more expensive then i can ship in from the US and i prefer to use the Gheko controllers.

I have been looking at the 80/20 frames and have found a supplier in the UK that does similar products so i might build a aluminium framed version. It would simplify what i have to get machined from a shop and would work out cheaper?

Headache if i go this route would be me having to cut the peices to lenght should i need to. Not sure i could get them absolutley square... hmmmm

http://www.aluminium-profile.co.uk/

Jan

[audioandy1762]

Hi Jan

When going down the aluminium profile route just be aware that a lot of the profiles are only very lightweight (like the ones in the link you have posted) and you say you would like to mill aluminium just be careful before you part with your hard earned cash a lot of the light weight stuff is designed for display racking etc.

Another UK supplier is Machine Building Systems who supply the Item range, just have a look and you will see the difference in the different profiles (we use this system at work and I have used it in my build).

Andy

[janmclare]

Thanks for that Andy, appreciate the feedback. I'll have a look around their site and see whats available.

I'll start to do a bit of 3d modeling in the next few weeks to see what designs i can come up with and post them here for critique.

Had a quick look, what profile would you recommend for the build.
They have options 5,6,8 and 12. thanks,


Jan