Just For Fun, Momus Wish List

[groswald]

The Momus is a great platform, but I haven't even got mine in full production mode yet, and already I'm thinking of things I would like to see in future versions. And, I am absolutely sure Bob has nothing better in the world to do than read the mindless ramblings of armchair CNC router designers.

Still, I would love to hear what other folks think about the subject.

Before we begin, here are some ground rules I would like to maintain:

1. All suggestions should be in keeping with the original Momus design goals. If you haven't read the introductory material in the plan document you do not know what they are. Please do not post.
   
   
2. Bob selected his materials and methods carefully. If you have a truly unique idea please post it, but, "make it all from welded 8020" is neither unique nor in keeping with the original design goals.
   
   
3. We'd all like it to be a bit bigger. Where have I heard that before? Let's leave that conversation for late night infomercials.

Other than that, let's hear your ideas! Mine follow in the next post.

Regards,

Randy

[groswald]

Here are some of the things I would like to see in future revisions of the Momus. Yes, some probably are mutually exclusive. I'll let Bob decide.

• Make both sides the same height, and use the same size rails on both.
  
  
• Use all of that lovely open space in the case bottom as a vacuum hold-down plenum. (I'm working on a retro-fit for this now. Think PVC plumbing a-la the Blue Man Group!)
  
  
• Duplicate the electronics bays on the left hand-side.
  
  • Use one side for AC and one for DC.
  • Plan for routing DC through the case bottom from one side to the other.
  
  I want to add a Super PID and I don't have room for it or the required 5vDC power supply!
  
  
• Include more information on wire-management. It would be nice if the case-part designs included recommendations for wiring openings.
  
  
• Incorporate AC distribution. I would like an On/Off switch for the main power supply as well as a separate switched outlet for the router built into the case.
  
  
• Add thrust bearings on the Z axis. My solution works, but are not as elegant as the rest of the machine.

That's about it for me. The shortness of the list kind of speaks to the overall completeness of the design!

Regards,

Randy

[momus_cnc]

Randy, great thread. And well timed, as I'm contemplating changes to make for the next big revision to the plans. Maybe I should mention what I'm currently thinking about changing. My own wish list is included in here.

- Same size rails on both sides/ equal heights.

- I'm contemplating redesigning the base so it is built entirely of 3/4" plywood.

- Altering the construction of the base to eliminate the need to cut the rabbet on the inner skins.

- I need to study your Z axis thrust bearing setup more closely. I'd like to integrate something like this if I can come up with an easy, cheap, and compact design.

- Increase the size of those 4 carriage studs to 5/16" to add some additional clamping force.

- There are some tight clearances on some of the studs/nuts of the Z axis. Some very minor adjusting of stud locations will make assembly a lot easier.

- Some additional Z height. At the moment, by the time a spoilboard is added, and especially with a long router bit, you often can't get full use of the Z travel. If the X rails were a little higher up it would help. This would give more clearance under the gantry as well.

- I've never been fully pleased with the cover design. I'm thinking about redesigning this to use more wood and less plastic. Perhaps just a plastic front door within a mostly wood cover. It would look more like a commercial machining center, it would still give decent access through the opening plastic door, and the entire wood top assembly could still tilt back if more access were required. The wood would also provide more sound attenuation than the entirely plastic cover.

- Better integration and mounting of limit/home switches.

It is great to hear your thoughts on additional space for electronics and more integrated planning for routing of wiring. The big question is how to find the best compromise between some additional space and keeping the machine nice and compact. And also providing the maximum flexibility for the many types of electronics setups that people will be using.

The vacuum table is something I had thought about before I built the machine. I think it is still a good idea, but will take some serious development and testing to get this working well. Any suggestions on potential sources of vacuum?

Keep the suggestions coming.

-Bob

[bjesson]

Something I am going to do anyway but also something I'm sure other people have thought of....X and Y screw drive systems. Have a seperate section in the plans for people wanting to use screw drive instead of belt drive. Wouldn't take many parts to convert the current machine.