Mid-range first CNC

[iXô]

Hello !

I am quite new here, and very happy that a forum like this exists.

I am a french CNC newbie.

I have done a sktechup plan of my project, and would like to know what you can give me for advise. Do you think that I must know something really important before starting ?



My first problem : I saw that I have to build power driver for the steppers, and a "breakout board", where can I find any good informations for all these boards ?


Thanks for all.

[ger21]

Stepper drives:
www.hobbycnc.com
www.geckodrive.com
www.xylotex.com
www.pminmo.com

in the UK,
http://www.motioncontrolproducts.com/

Breakout boards:
www.cnc4pc.com
www.candcnc.com
www.pmdx.com
www.campbelldesigns.com

[iXô]

Thanks !

do you have any preference ? or feedback ?

[ger21]

Make the base of the gantry wider, so the bearings are spread apart farther. And you're spindle mount shouldn't hang down so far, it will flex.

[iXô]

Thanks for your help.

Because I am french, there are some terms that I don't understand, so for the gantry do you mean this sort of modification ?




For the sindle mount, I not sure what to do : I would like to have the necessary space for using big (not huge) peace of wood : something that can handle more than 1cm thickness (not sure if it is well formulated).

Thanks anyway. Maybe I can post the sketchup file for better explanations.

[ger21]

Yes, correct.

Maybe some type of reinforcement to make the panel more rigid. Also, the Z axis should have 2 bearings like the X to spread the load, or you mind find it will bind up.

[iXô]

Oh, but after reading (some) posts here, it is what I want to do : maybe my schema isn't very good : but for the Z axis, there is 3 tube : 2 for bearing (outside) and 1 for the endless screw (middle)


Thanks a lot for your help.

[Coogrrr]

I think what Ger21 meant was that like the X rails the bearings for the Z rails/axis should have 4 total 2 top and 2 bottom. I built a similar machine and used 4 bearings per axis. As he said this will spread the load out more evenly.

Welcome to the zone and good luck on the build! Have fun with the whole thing and it will be rewarding!

Coog

[iXô]

Ok, thanks a will take the notes into consideration.

I have find this kind of rail guide here, what do you think of that ?

[Coogrrr]

I like those rails and would only say to remember to keep them clean of debri as you run your machine. I am going to use paint brush bristeles clamped between strips of aluminum then bolted ino place for the rails as well as a larger version for the chip sweep on the router.

Coog

[iXô]

On this catalog (of the www.csr.fr website) I found this, there is a option for those rails : "bellows of protection" (don't know is this automatic translation is good : "soufflets de protection") on page 31.

I will ask for the price.

[cosyne]

iXô,

I'm a french too
Did you ask at www.csr.fr ?
Do they sell to private persons or only to firms.
Do you have some prices already?

Thank's