My First CNC, own design, buidling in progress

[GaryCorlew]

That is a fantastic looking machine!!, I will be watching this thead

[arie kabaalstra]

Today, i did some more "fiddling" with my Mini VMC:


A detailshot of the Y-axisguide recesses, ground level with the topsurface, the runnerblocks will sit here.( it's upside down on the picture), when all is mounted it's level within 0.01 mm
Also, on the rear beam, the Y-axis nut clamp.


also, some milling done today, the ribs for the mill-head, always a challenge to mill things like this.. but the angle precision of the 90 degree angle is well within tolerances less than 0.002 degrees off.


also some sawing going on in the workshop, the rectangular plates are still to be machined, but this will happen in a certain "procedure" which i have followed with all the other parts.. First cleaning the steel, Deburring, grinding!.. then , and only then, after grinding it's machined to size, and contours are milled, and holes drilled and tapped..

the picture gives an idea what it is going to look like, there will be a hole in the bottom plate to fit the motor.


and this is what it should look like if put together ( sorry no guides yet.. boss is on a holiday )

[matsuura]

Wow! Very nice
Good work

how much for plan?

[arie kabaalstra]

How much?.. i don't know yet.. i also think i have to "symplify the design a bit, since i designed it to build it for me only, and being a toolmaker i have a fully equipped workshop at my disposal...

how many people would have a workshop with CNC lathe's, CNC milling machines, a Wire-erosion machine (needed for my design of the Milling motor attachement ), and a table grinder with over 600 mm's of travel?

especially the tablegrinder has proved Priceless with the fabrication of the X-axis guide beams, since milling out the recesses for the y-axis runnerblocks caused them to warp, and i grind everything back to shape.

so i'd better think up something that's easier to build ( less recesses, less warp, though a slightly less compact design.. )

[higgrobot]

It's too pretty, I just want to get my scribe out and put a little scratch on it somewhere

[matsuura]

I am a machinist and programer, I also have all the machine above at my disposal, but im not a very good designer,it would be a very nice project.

[digits]

Wow - that is beautiful!

[arie kabaalstra]

Ok, that'll just make it easier..

i'll have to "redo" my drawings anyway, because i didn't specify any tolerances, or reference planes, which isn't a problem for me, since i designed the lot, but if i'm going to publish my designs, i want em to be Fool Proof..

Furthermore: the design is based upon Bosch-Rexroth Components, but there is also THK and SKF Ballrail systems.

I used Bosch-Rexroth, because they have a rail with blind holes , so no dirt can build up in the bolt-holes ( THK has the same distance between bolt holes so those can also be used, but a bellows must be fitted )

Give me some time, i will also be designing some clamping devices, i'm not sure what those are called in English, but i mean those "Thingies" rectangular shape, with a slotted hole, and a threaded hole, to bolt down parts on the machinetable ( what are those called? )

[arie kabaalstra]

It's too pretty, I just want to get my scribe out and put a little scratch on it somewhere

Don't you Dare!.. I allready "messed up, note the small recess in the top of the vertical column (forgot Radius comp... )

Just "Dreamt up" i'm gonna fit some small nozzles around the milling motor, and use compressed air as a coolant, and also to blow away Chips, since Chip buildup in pockets and holes can ruin surfacefinish.. how's that?..

Since i also want to make a casing around this machine, i might even install a vacuum cleaner, to suck out all chips small enough to fly around ( i.e. Chips from finishing, more like dust than chips )

[higgrobot]

Give me some time, i will also be designing some clamping devices, i'm not sure what those are called in English, but i mean those "Thingies" rectangular shape, with a slotted hole, and a threaded hole, to bolt down parts on the machinetable ( what are those called? )

Sometimes they're called Strap Clamps or Machinists Clamps I just call them Clamps, you can call them Toolmakers Clamps if you like

Do you mean these thingies?:

[Pres]

out West here (between OK Corral & Sam's Shoot 'em Up Bar) we call them thar thangs "toe clamps"

[higgrobot]

Pulls out a big clamp from his back pocket and says 'That's not a Toe Clamp, This is a Toe clamp'