mhackney's 1st CNC router

[mhackney]

Well, I am starting this thread to document my build, solicit ideas and help, and to keep me motivated!

After several months of scheming, planning, reading and scheming more, I finally cut my 1st piece of MDF today.

The project:

- moving gantry
- 18" x 12" x 4" working volume
- xylotex driver
- 3 80 0z NEMA 23 Japan Servo stepper motors
- igus Drylin N linear bearing for all 3 axis
(these are 800mm/~24", 600mm/~18", 400mm/~12")
- 1/4-20 all thread w/ delrin homemade bearings
- still debating on the router, i have a dremel but I am leaning toward the Porter Cable 7310 laminate trimmer that I have.

I have succeeded in resisting the temptation to spin the motors!

I cut the base and mounts for the X rails. Primed and painted as I go along. Boy that MDF soaks up the primer and paint! I'll be using 10-24 screws in to tapped MDF for construction. I'll post the first photos of the table and X axis later tonight once the paint dries. (A nice forest green. I think I'll leave some parts natural and simply use clear acrylic on them for contrast).

Wish me luck!

Oh, I plan to use this to cut balsa, aircraft ply, G-10, carbon composite and maybe a bit of foam for mold making. Primary use is for flying model building - planes, helicopters and ornithopters.

Michael

[buscht]

Sounds good, I'm very interested in how the igus bearings work out.

Good luck and keep posting your progress.

T

[High Seas]

Michael - sounds like you got it together! Mounting the Porter Cable trimmer was giving me a brain cramp. I found mounting it easier when I used the existing threaded hole (on the back) and remove the "base". (Hope that makes sense) ~ Then I used the base plate to build a "mini-router table".
I found I needed a way to adjust the speed though and got a good deal on a router speed controller through Harbor Freight.

If you used a bit of yellow (as a racing stripe) it would be a "Lotus" (not a Deer)!

[InventIt]

Originally posted by mhackney
...I have succeeded in resisting the temptation to spin the motors!...
Michael

Save that until you get so fustrated you want to give up. Hearing those steppers spin is music to the ears and motivation to get the machine working.

Look forward to watching your build. Good luck with your router.

[mhackney]

Ok, here is the base. It is 18" x 25.5" 3/4 MDF primed and painted. The igus Drylin rails are slightly less than 24" (they are 800mm) and are mounted on a 24" x 3" mdf mounting rail with #8-32 x 3/4" pan head machine screws. The bottom of the mounting rail is bored 1/2" for the washer/lockwasher/nut. The idea is the mounting rail will be fastened to the base and can be shimmed and adjusted for parallel.

[mhackney]

This is how it will look with the rails in position and the end plates on. These are temp end plates. The actuals will be a bit taller and of course have mounting holes for the stepper and screw and bearings. You can see that the gantry rails are inset from the edge - this is to protect them from sawdust falling directly in. You'll see what I mean in 2 posts.

[mhackney]

This is just a closeup of the X axis. You can see that the rail is just a bit shorter than 24".

[mhackney]

Ok, now the table is positioned on the base. Here you can see how the Drylin rails are protected.

The end plates will be tapped and the base and table attached with 10-24 bolts.

On the table are my Y and Z axis Drylin.

[mhackney]

Just a closer view from the side. Everything is just dry fit. I'll bolt it all together tomorrow.

[creative_mind]

Where did you buy the IGUS products?

[Hobbiest]

www.igus.com

[yukonho]

Good to see you are putting metal to wood.
For the spindle, I am dissapointed with the dremel Huge runout and quite loud. I am exploring other options for number 2.
Keep rolling with it, I cant wait to see
co