Proposed T-Slot 8020 Build in Oz

[uspl]

Evening all

My JGRO build is due for an upgrade with ballscrew rather than ACME, 450oz rather than 250 etc etc. So it is more of a new new build than a rebuild.

What I am planning is:

• 1200mm x 600mm footprint
• Fixed gantry with X table moving +/- 400mm to give me an 800mm cut
• 120x40 TSlot (8020, Maytec, Rexroth) as the main structural elements
• 40x40 where required for gantry bracing etc

I am thinking along the lines of 20mm fully supported rails running pillow block style bearings for the X-axis table movement, 20mm for the Y-axis and 12-16mm for the Z. Rolled ballscrew for the drives.

Any advice / comments from others who have done a T-Slot build much appreciated, also your thoughts on the idea of a fixed gantry / moving X as opposed to the current setup of JGRO everything moves. Any traps with Mach 3 in that sort of setup ?

Finally, T-Slot in Australia seems to run at about $40 per metre for the 40x40 light section. Tips on a supplier that sells offcuts / surplus would also be great.

Cheers

[port_huon]

You might want to check out AME as an alternative to 80/20.
Just click on profile systems to see the two different profiles they offer. Price list there too.

[uspl]

You might want to check out AME .

Nice one thanks. $24lm is a lot better than $40 at eBay or even the $30 I got quoted from Maytec in Braeside. Much appreciated.

David

[Bear5k]

You may find Bosch Rexroth profiles cheaper than 80/20. Many companies make the stuff, beyond the popular ones here, and there may even be a native supplier there down under who is more competitive.

[port_huon]

On a local woodworking forum under the topic of CNC, is this posting about locally available profiles. The post is 12 months old but given the strength of the $A, prices may well be current. At least the contact info will be of use.

[uspl]

Thanks Geoff
I went down to AME in Clayton this morning, spoke to Richard there.
Very helpful guy and he is putting together a quote for me. They offer exact cut to length, drill & tap and supply all the fixings I need so I am thinking that for the few extra dollars I might as well get them to do all the frame machining for me.
Cheers
David

BTW, any thoughts on the merits of moving gantry vs moving table in a build ?

[cjjonesarmory]

We built a 4x4 router using primarily 80/20 extrusion and some additional plate material. You can see the router in action here:

YouTube - cjamasterworks's Channel

[uspl]

Something that has come to mind as this idea progresses is the weight of the X table. I am looking at 430oZ motors and my table is going to be 900 x 560 (36" x 20" roughly)

I am using supported rails with pillow block bearings

If I build the whole table from 8020 T slot, am i going to be using too much motor torque just moving the table let alone having anything left for cutting force ?

[uspl]

Using FrameDesigner from Framexpert (free and easy to learn) I mocked up my 8020 design.

The whole thing is 40x80 excepting a few brace pieces so it should weigh in at about 100kg before adding ball screws, rails and motors, hopefully heavy enough to handle any vibration issues.

Cheers

[port_huon]

David,
Any update on your build?
How did you go with the AME stuff? Care to share pricing for what you got?

I've been pricing ballscrews, linear rails etc. from linearmotionbearings2008 and motors from Homann Design, the aluminium profile is the last item to price.
I've just relocated and have a couple of months free and need something to do.

[uspl]

Hi

Sorry for not updating this for a while, work has been interfering in life.

I don't like to publish full quotes from vendors because generally they are custom based on specific designs etc. I can say that I got a quote from AME and one from Tim at lineartechnik.com.au and that the one from Lineartechnik was 40% higher than AME based on the same drawings.

I am trying to find a Rexroth supplier in Melbourne but haven't had the time to track one down yet.

As to motors and controllers, I have been using Ocean Controls in Seaford but the prices from Homann look very competitive for the Gecko stuff. I will say that the power supplies from Ocean Controls are very gutsy and have proven reliable.

I looked at linearmotionbearings but found Naomi at CNC Cupcake world on eBay is also sharp on price and better still I can collect ex stock in Melbourne and see exactly what i am getting.

I wont get a chance to start on this project now for another month as end of financial year means full time at work, but I hope to get to it further through winter.

[port_huon]

Thanks for the pointer to CNC and Cupcake. Their ballscrew prices are not bad but their aluminium profile is a bit on the expensive side, certainly compared to AME.