2nd Build

[riche543]

Hi all
Just wanted to share a few early pics of my 2nd cnc build. Just over 2 years ago I built a mdf / skate bearing cnc which has done me very well, but think its time to upgrade to something more solid, the main table is a 10mm thick steel plate which weighs about 80kgs size is 1200x700. So my cutting area will be slightly smaller than this. I will be making as many bits for the new build with my old machine as I'm able too cut upto 12mm aluminum so motor mounts , z axis design will be cut out on old cnc. I have 3 425oz nema motors for the axis, all ball screws are 25mm . Feel free to ask any questions but I will more likely be asking all you guys for your opinions . As with a lot of us I'm sure finding time for our hobby can be hard sometimes , but will do my best too keep this updated as I slowly progress
Enjoy.

Riche

[riche543]

Very small update

Got the Ball screw installed on the Y axis & Rails on the X axis,
next will start the mounts for the X ball screw & cut some motor mounts.

[tumutbound]

Steel plate! I've never seen lifting handles on a CNC before - although it's not a bad idea, I have a 6040 machine and it's a pain to move.

Do you get much flex from the unsupported rails?

[riche543]

Hi tumatbound

Yeah thought handles would be a good idea , so when I ask my neighbor too give us a lift he can't complain, lol. Once in position will remove handles. Fingers x there's not too much flex on the Y at the moment, the ball screw is 25mm so that shouldn't flex much. I am fitting a floating Z axis head for engraving so hopefully should not be too much of a problem (pic attached). I do feel like maybe I should have got supported rails now , but will see how it goes
Cheers

Riche.


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[riche543]

Another small update
Shows nema motor mounts , would have liked too have made them out of a whole block but I can only cut max 12mm deep with my old cnc , but these seem too work ok. Also back plate of X/Z axis engraved face was just playing around, don't think it will be too visible once the rest is attached
Cheers
Riche




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[craigjh]

Nice work Riche.

I too have built an MDF version CNC (JOES), but now half toying with the idea of constructing a second one using some alloy like yourself.

I haven't actually tried cutting Al yet. I'd be interested in what cutter/rpm/feedrates you're using, as it looks like you're getting a reasonable result!

Keep the posts up, we'll be following along mate...

[riche543]

Hi craig

Thanks for the nice words,
I do struggle a bit cutting ali as the mdf machine isn't really rigid enough, normally just cut plastic, I'm using 3 mm end mills for Ali & the speed/feed rates are far from normal machining . Some times it will cut at 240mm per min with 21000 rpm & 1.5mm passes other times that will snap the bit ( have gone though a few already) but I have found that 60 or 120 mm per min with same rpm & passes works better. Most days. It's the chatter that snaps the bits, one day you think you have found a nice speed , next it doesn't work , normally snaps on last pass , oh also using air too blow away chips.
The guy I buy the end mills from in the US is properly wondering what I'm doing with all these 3 mm end mills lol.
Cheers
Riche.



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[craigjh]

Ok, sweet, thanks for those stats. I'll see how I go. My other hesitation is blowing those Al chips everywhere...! What a pain.

Hey I also noticed it looks like you have a vacuum table yes...? How's it go? Very handy for holding down the thinner sheets of mdf/plastic I imagine.

[riche543]

Hi craig
Good luck with it but I do go though lots of end mills with chatter, have found sometimes not cutting all the way though , leaving 0.5mm may help ?. I could not find the post that talks about blowing chips out, but I bought the pump that was recommended , it's a large pond air rater , wasn't expensive but works well, eBay sell them ,
Cheers
Riche


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[riche543]

Craig
Just looked at my air pump , it's a hailea aco-009d , works great.
Also I know might look like vacuum table on my old build , but it's just hundreds of holes that I thought I might have used for holding stuff down , but didn't work as expected, so there just for show, lol. Ended up using double sided tape.

Riche.


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[riche543]

Only got a small amount done this week, but moving forward not backwards is good .
So cut all X ball screw mounts & installed X motor , Tested once installed & running smooth

Cheers
Riche.

[riche543]

Ok things are just about finished few add ons I would still like too add like superpid & x360 control.
Very happy with results so far, Here's some more pics.




Heres a close up of the hall sensors used for home/limit switches.



Dust shoe which also shows the 2 small air pipes which cools the tool while cutting






Pump for air cooling with heat sink & fans as the air leaving pump gets warm.


G540 driver , I used some scrap 12mm aluminum for heat sink with thermal paste. Glued on with epoxy.




Built an enclosure for electrics with extra 12v & 5v on front & back if needed
Also ins & outs on g540 are connected to terminal block on back for easier connection.








Cheers

Riche.


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