New Machine Build- CNC Design from Scratch, w/Belt Drive

[stepinator]

Hi all,

Long time member, first machine build posting. I figured I have taken enough information form the CNCzone community, it is only right to give back with a build log of my newest creation. I hope that others may find some answers in my build methods, and actually encourage feedback + or -. That's what we are all here for right

Well, first some rough design specs. The dimensions for this machine are primarily dictated by the size of the parts I was able to obtain. If you want to go cheap, you sometimes have to use what you can get right?!

machine dimensions - 75.5" x 42.5"
cutting area (est) - 36" x 60

stepper drives - Gecko Vampires
stepper motors - 425 oz.in Nema 23

x and y axis - Belt drive
z axis - screw drive

build materials - steel frame, aluminum gantry

more to come................


Let's get started....



Here is the steel frame tacked up with a few welds to finish. It's 11 ga. 1" x 1 1/2" rectangular tubing and 3 inch casters.

[stepinator]

Here is the frame now fully welded, painted and rail supports being mounted.

[stepinator]

The Gantry is made completely out of 80/20. Most parts are 2"x4" so it is extremely rigid. Bearing adapter plates were made to mate the bolt pattern of the bearing pillow blocks to the 80/20 tslot spacing. The rails are now set, the gantry is mostly together. Very square, no binding, slop or any problems so far. It takes about 2-3 lbs of force to move the gantry right now. I can push/pull from any spot, middle or corner and it glides like butter. Very happy

[austin.mn]

looks like its coming along nicely.

[stepinator]

I mocked up the short axis bearing rails to make sure everything was going to fit right (ok, I just couldn't wait to see what they would look like) I don't have any fasteners right now or they would be on there.

[austin.mn]

more pictures please.

[stepinator]

Thought it would be a good idea to chime in and at least let everyone know what direction I'm heading with this. So I grabbed a shot straight from the virtual mechanical design of the machine. I don't have the z-axis designed yet for it, but it should be fairly straight foward when I get there. Disclaimer (all things are subject to change without notice). Fasteners, belts, pulleys, steppers and power supply all ordered today. Should be a busy weekend and all with fishing the opener....

[stepinator]

Here is a shot of the long axis bearings and the adapter plate (to mate them to the 80/20. The other is a shot of an old Dahlgren control box that I gutted to use as my control box. It's already fused, has an awesome fan and a lit power switch. All of the panels on the box are replaceable so I can customize it later.

[stepinator]

Well I finally got my fasteners that i needed to get the short gantry axis bearings installed. So I installed them and wow are they one there.

[stepinator]

Well, alot of the goodies and trinkets that I've been ordering showed up today. This included:

- Power supply
- stepper motors
- some timing pulleys and belt material
- idler rollers
- and a heat sink for the geckos that a friend so graciously donated to the project

The drives and power supply will go into the controller box. Now I can start on the long axis drive train. There will be some details on that coming shortly.

The container of M.A.L. didn't come with the order. (Michelob Assembly Lube)

[austin.mn]

LOOKING GOOD

[stepinator]

OK....well been busy the last few days but I managed to get my long axis motor plate machined (with my older small CNC machine). It turned out pretty good and everything fit perfect (doesn't happen often) I bolted it to the machine temporarily so I could see if everything was on track.

As you will tell by the pictures, I decided to go back to the fixed belt drive system and a single belt at that. I'm 99% confident that it will work. I don't know how well but everything seems logical about it. It's one of those things that I just have to prove to my stubborn self, I won't learn anything if I don't try and if it doesn't work for some reason I can always recycle the parts for a recirculating belt drive.