New build - Chain table

[modnet]

So I've just started on a table -

I'm after the following features -

Cheap - sorry no ball screws
Size - about 1m x 2m work area

Stepper drives - with chains for the x and y, and leadscrew for the z
Gecko controller and Mach3 sw

To cut mdf and wood for signs.

dom @ kiwiland.downunder

[dertsap]

chain works great
I was going to use chain when I built mine , I experimented with it some and I found it performed really well but I found a great deal on screws and I dropped the chain ,
heres an inspiring setup using chain Use roller chain to move gantry.

[modnet]

So here is the start of the z axis,
I used the slides from a drop saw and added extra bearings -
Milled flats for mounting and cavity for the leadscrew -
And bearings to support the leadscrew

[mwood3]

Ya know...I never thought of using a slide section from a saw for the Z axis

interesting Im gonna look into that now... awesome idea!!

[modnet]

Here is the old router which I am going to use for the spindle -
The handles and switch have been removed for mounting.
It's pretty noisey - and no speed control - but does 23000 rpm,

[modnet]

I should have said - just about finished -

But I had a bit of help -
It is a close copy of my main router table

So here are the gantry bearing blocks - running on steel bars - mounted on a channel section

[modnet]

Here are the gantry ends,
Ali channel and mdf using inline skate bearings

- Dom

[modnet]

So for the drive electronics I decided to try the new G540 from geckodrive.com,

I have used various controllers before including the oatley-electronics and hobbycnc, but for the bigger jobs I can't fault the gecko bricks,

I remember when ... the equilvent micro step function cost $1500 an axis,

anyway I love the new g540

- Breakout board built in,
- 4 axis
- easy to wire up
- charge pump - great for safety - if computer fails the steppers shut down
- 0-10v - feed to speed controllers for spindles built in.
- I've got 2000 steps a rev - with little or no resinating

Probably saved me 3 days of wiring and countless $.

I will post some more pics when it is in its box with the 50v / 7amp switchmode supply I got for it.

Dom

[modnet]

Here are some photos of the Z axis on the gantry,
Seems to run smooth, not sure about flex yet - until I get the rest bolted up,

Z runs about 1000 steps a mm - so plenty of torque

Dom

[modnet]

So the gantry works well,
Here you can see it mounted on the ends

The chain goes from the carriage - bearing block
around a sprocket - driven by the geared down stepper,
then connects to a stranded wire cable -
which runs through a movable pulley - for adjustable tension
and back to the carriage bearing block

The numbers are close to the following - from memory
Stepper (2000 steps a rev) - 10 toothed belt - 60 toothed
15 tooth sprocket - (asa 25 1/4 inch)

Which gives me about 60 steps a mm

[domstevens]

So the tabke has been workng for a couple of weeks now -
But still sorting out a speed controller for the router - last one let the smoke out - twice -
So more photos soon