The 'Million Dollar'

[Me2]

I’ve been building this CNC Router over the past 2 years. Progress has been
very slow due to the shortage dollars and major home renovation commitments.
Work on this project had to speed up before the arrival of number 4 son, so it was now or never.
It’s almost finished with just coat of paint and a little tidying up required.
The steppers are 2A, 180 in/oz Nema 23’s. The motor mount plates can be
removed and Nema 34’s bolted straight onto the stand off’s if more power is
required.
At this stage I’m very happy with the Nema 23 motor’s although they are hamstrung with the voltage that can be put into the driver causing them to be a little on the slow side.
It’s running on a trial version of Mach 3. Great software, easy to use and understand, when I can afford it I’ll certainly be getting the full version.
The design like many others is based on the jgro concept. To increase rigidity I’ve added supports to the ‘X’ and ‘Y’ rails which are fully adjustable allowing the rails to be accurately aligned.
To minimize movement of the MDF the main support members have been laminated with fiberglass between each layer. It can be seen quite clearly in photo 2.
The main table is cut from yellow tongue flooring sheet, which is completely moisture resistant supported on 40 x 40 RHS tubes
The whole assembly is extremely rigid with no structural movement under load.
I’ve been able to adjust and clock the table in the x, y directions to within 0.005”.
This has remained stable over the past couple of weeks.
The drivers and constant current source kits are from Oatley electronics. A do it yourself Job at a very reasonable price.
The main use for this machine is as an aid to the manufacture of patters for my home foundry as well as giving me something new to learn.
The reason for the name ‘Million Dollar’. To get a leave pass to go and play in Man Land to build this thing my wife wanted to know if anything was ever going to come of it. I quipped back one day it’ll make us a million when it’s finished. It’s now got the nickname ‘The Million Dollar’. I think she’s going to be very disappointed.

Cam

[Jason Marsha]

Sturdy looking machine. All you need to do is charge the wife everytime she wants something cut on it, you will be up to a million in no time.

Jason

[WilliamD]

Congratulations! That does look like a very sturdy and well constructed machine. I'm sure it will give you many times in rewards versus what you put into it. I know it will be a glorious day when I finish mine, so I can only imgaine you elation! GOOD JOB!