new CNC router table

[Med-Pac]

Hello,

We've been a member of this site for awhile now. We are a full machine/fabrication shop equipped with all CNC equipment. (brake, shear, mill, plasma, lathe) After some extensive research on this site, we've combined several of the great ideas here into our own version of a CNC router table.

In the following weeks, I will be adding to this thread as our new toy progresses. Currently we have the base of the table complete and we are waiting for our driver motors and our cp system (Mach 3) to arrive. I've been told that will be in the next 2-3 weeks.

Here are some pics of the table base. It is made out of 4x4 .187 tubing for the legs and 2.75x4 .250 flange I-beam. We may have overkilled the design of our table, but bigger is always better isn't it?

[Mr.Chips]

Really nice looking start. Can't wait to see it progress.
What is the cutting size?

[cnc metalcraft]

that is one beefy router table

[Med-Pac]

Thanks,

It's 4x8. We're planning on running this machine 6-8 hrs aday. 95% of the work will be alum. .015-1" thick hopefully.

Mike

[Med-Pac]

Here's an update on our progress. We have the gear track assembled and installed. We used the 80/20 alum. extrusion to locate and mount our gear track on. By using this material in combo with the I-beam, we have almost hidden the gear track from any chips that could cause some problems down the road.

We have also started on our monitor mount. We are using 2x2x.187 tubing for the main frame, and the fancy gusset is made out of .25 HR plate. We cut the logo with our TM 3, hyperthem 1000. I am now in the process of designing some corner covers to take care of the gaps. Should make the wiring phase go easier.

Mike

[Med-Pac]

Here's an update on our progress. We've recieved the motors and are in the process of installing them. We cut out the motor mounts for the X and Y out of .250 A-36 on our plasma. We have the gantry together and are really happy with the dual linears. Should give us a very sturdy machine.

Mike

[joecnc2006]

Machine looks real good, very nice construction.

Just a couple of questions. Are you going to have some compensation got the rack and pinion for wear or backlash? I know allot of machine have a heavy duty spring with the motor mount on a pivot to keep pressure on the pinion to the rack.

Are you going to switch to a larger router?

Joe

[Med-Pac]

The boss and I have been throwing that idea around since the beginning. Do we really need the spring tension? We looked at EZ router with the pivot and spring system, and another table that had 2 mounting bolts side by side (like ours) but they also had a spring attached. After we assembled the gantry with the motors installed (no belts attached) we ran the gantry back and forth, I think we'll need to cut a new set with a pivot and spring set-up.

Which would be the best system?

Thanks,
Mike

[Med-Pac]

Yep, eventually we'll upgrade to a bigger router. Probably use the old one to work all the bugs out. Then get a big one.

[joecnc2006]

I know this is crude, and fast paint markup. but use the same type of bracket, on the rt red circle for bolt hole, top left is a slot radius of the bolt hole, and blue represents spring.

Joe

[Med-Pac]

Thanks Joe,

That looks like the solution. I'll redraw them tonite for cutting on Monday. I'll post some pics when their done.

Mike

[joecnc2006]

cool, look forward to seeing them, its an easy mod.