My first machine build

[Sendo]

Hello this is my first post here! i have started designing my first machine.

It will be an MDF build and i think i will be using Hiwin linear guides (anybody know a european online distributor?) and i ordered a stepper kit from probotix with the dollar being so cheap now it looked like a good deal. My spindle will be a dremel. And the software will be EMC² i have experience with HAL programming and its free so obvious choice there.

The X-axis will rest on the supports and will be moved with 2 threads. the rest is the same for a normal style gantry.

I´m hoping to be able to mill mostly wood and some aluminium. I have just designed the base of my machine. (i dont know how this type of mahine is called, is this kind still called gantry?) I hope to get enough stifness and hope to avoid rocking motion as it sometimes seem to happen with gantry types. The size of the machine should allow me to mill A3 size materials.

I´m using new CAD software so o still have to figure some things out such as giving blocks different collors and getting better quality pictures.

As said before this is my first build and iff you dont agree with my ideas pls tell me i´m doing this project as a learning experience. I will update this post as i get on with my project.

[apache405]

its called a gantry machine. I would get a different spindle the run out on the dremel is crazy, especially if you are making heavy cuts, i would use a porter cable 890 series router or similar. there is a Hitachi model that a lot of people have had success with as well and if memory serves me it less than the porter cable router.

which cad program are you using?

[Sendo]

Well i learned Inventor in school and now i´m using VX 12.70.
As i already have a dremel i´m going to stick to that. I´m going to use this build to learn then i´m going to build on my experiences. I might even start something completely new. I´ll keep your suggestion on the spindle in mind.

[Sendo]

hmm i just did a search on the porter cable 890 series router and found it at 189$ it might be worth considering
edit:
also found the hitachi at a good deal is this the one?
Hitachi M12VC

2-1/4 HP Variable Speed Fixed Base Router

List Price: $234.60
Your Price: $124.00

[Sendo]

the hitachi seems to be only available in 120V version

[apache405]

hmm. i looked on Hitachi Europe site and they had some 230V units, but the site had some issues so i could only view like one or two models.

do you know anything about your country distributes electricity? here in the US we get 240V single phase supply (rail to rail, and 120 to ground). if you ended up with any 120V stuff and your power comes in the same way ours does, you could drive a grounding rod and establish a pair of power rails that are 120 to ground and 240 between each other. (hope i explained that clearly...) my understanding is that most of Europe has 3 phase residential service that runs like 230-240V (rail to ground).

my school teaches in inventor, but i find it clumsy and generally annoying compared to solidworks.

[apache405]

the link to the Hitachi site i was looking at:
http://www.hitachi-powertools.co.uk/products.html

[Sendo]

after some searching i found this:
http://www.hitachi-powertools.be/nl/...list.php?cat=7
i dont think you speak dutch but just looking at the pictures it seems that mounting accecories are not detachable and that the wide shape of the (european) routers doesnt allow easy clamping and needs a wide mount.
they are also alot more expensive
for now i will stick to the dremel and i might look for alternatives iff it seems inadequate.

and yes in most of belgium you get 240V phase to ground but in some areas its 240V phase to phase.

ow yeah i live in an apparment building my neigbours gonna love me when i start testing and milling

[apache405]

yes they will. just like my neighbors (i live in a single family house but machines make a lot of noise nonetheless) love me for my for my strange projects that i work on when ever i please (usually at night). honestly though, how many times have you had to put with the people above you do it loudly? you could call this revenge/pay back.

the trim router hitachi sells might be good. i did some looking and the model i am thinking of is like mv12 or something like that, but its pretty darn close to what the 892 looks like and performs like.

i would buy a second dremel though, once its mounted up and calibrated, you won't wanna pull it out to say cut a bolt to length or whatever. like i hate changing vices or table height on my drill press because then i have to realign everything (never buying a floor model again).

in your design, you have a lot of ribs going across the short axis of your bed, but what are you planning on doing for the long axis? and have taken a look at the joe's 2006 threads?

[gemstonesetc]

Hi,

>>i would buy a second dremel though, once its mounted up and calibrated, you won't wanna pull it out to say cut a bolt to length or whatever. like i hate changing vices or table height on my drill press because then i have to realign everything (never buying a floor model again).<<

Before you buy another Dremel, you might want to take a look at the Proxxon brand of motor tools. It's a German brand & has full power at all speeds. It uses a DC motor so there's no brushes to wear out. The tool comes in 2 models the FBS 115 for the US & the 240 FBS for Europe & other countries that use that power system. There also a heavy duty model the 115 & 240 IB/E that has a metal head so the accuracy is much improved over those using plastic heads. Both units have speeds of 5,000 - 20,000. There are both collets & chucks avaialble for either model. Anything that'll fit in a Dremel collet or chuck will fit in the Proxxon.

You can see them at proxxon.com. Select Handheld Motor Tools. Then select MicroMot. Then select the model to look at from the right side of the page.

I've been using Proxxon tools for about 8 years & can say they've all given me great service.

Just a satisfied user.

Dave

[Sendo]

in your design, you have a lot of ribs going across the short axis of your bed, but what are you planning on doing for the long axis? and have taken a look at the joe's 2006 threads?

I´m not sure iff i understand your question. but iff you think the ribs are big U shapes running from one side of the machine to the other parallel to Y-axis then you are mistaking. They are 3 seperate rectangular shaped ribs and the planes running parallel to the X-axis run all the way to the bottom they do not stop at the base plate so they kind of function as Huge ribs.
Its unclear on the pictures but i havent found yet how to change colour of certain parts i might redraw it in inventor and get you guys a clearer image.

Thanks for your input so far, much appreciated

[Sendo]

i have found a 240V router that is comparable to those you mentioned
http://www.cnc-plus.de/index.php?cat...ml&language=en

redrawing the schematics to get different collors