New 4x4 XYZ Gantry Build

[WillsCNC]

First off I want to say thanks to Dave Miller for all of his time, hard work and trouble shooting he did on his build. I for one have learned by just reading and watching his build.... and the talks we have had. I know he has more to do but maybe I'll be able to add some ideas not that my machine is here.

Now on to the new 4x4. After waiting 3 days short of 12 weeks I drove to the factory in IL which was only 54 miles from my studio and picked up my machine. The shipping department made a custom crate that would fit into my truck.

[IMG][/IMG]

The crate was heavy and was able to use my tractor with loader to push it in.

[IMG][/IMG]

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[WillsCNC]

The machine was protected well.....


View showing the gantry



Unpacking

[WillsCNC]

Lower support



Cutting Baltic Birch plywood



Glueing up plywood to make extra 8020 beams for under the table. I don't feel the 3 are going to strong enough with a wood top



More details later, waiting for motors and 8020 for base,

Will

[boblon]

Great Will !

Was sure hoping you would post a build log and am happy to see it.

I'm nearing the 8 week point on my wait but am still concocting plans in my head.

Hope everything goes smooth for you now.

BobL.

[WillsCNC]

Details on machine.....

4' x 4' with approx 8" of Z travel from XYZ Gantry

Motors NEMA 34 for the two X axis and Y axis and NEMA 23 for the Z

Complete Electrical kit with smooth stepper (hope it works) was order from Soigeneris (thanks Jeff for your help and understanding)

Base to be made from 8020 with help from local rep Price Engineering with level casters from another source.

Asus ET1611PUT-B001E all in one PC with touch screen

[WillsCNC]

Missing when order was picked up

Instruction book
Dust covers for the Z bearings and not sure what else

Made wrong..... Router mount

[boblon]

Hope everything goes smooth for you now.

BobL.

Ok, well so much for that

BobL.

[WillsCNC]

Bob,

I can deal with that. I do think they have fixed the backlash issue. I don't feel any play when I move the Z on the Y. Won't know for sure until the unit is together but so far so good.

Will

[boblon]

Glad to hear that
BobL.

[dfmiller]

Will,
Thanks for posting the pictures. I am so happy your machine has arrived. I am really looking forward to seeing your cut.
Bob,
It will be interesting to see your machine when it arrives. Sometimes being first is not a good thing.
Its a good feeling when you are making sawdust.
I was able to butcher some pine on the weekend. Identified a few things I have to get better at. Like setting Z heights. I think I am going to move my Y and Z limits together as a OR function so I can free up a input pin for a Z height probe. I thknk that is better than hoping I can get my SS to work.

Dave

[boblon]

Dave, I used to use some thin paper to set my Z 0 but now use a simple touchplate that sets the Z 0 position to the top of the workpiece. Simple and works great.

BobL.

[dfmiller]

Bob not wanting to hijack Will thread.

I am working on a touch plate.
I have been using up some pine scraps.
Paper is OK but hard to set V carve bits. Especially if you go down too far and forget to move X and Y. You compress the pine. ;-)
Thanks
Dave

[boblon]

Will,
I would like to use 8020 but am not sure yet (budget will decide). I've started to draw it up a few times but could never reach a final decision on what specific sizes I could get a way with. I've never used any 8020 type extrusions and in fact have never even really examined any.

Can you tell me what cross section dimensions you chose for your extrusions for the major components, main rails and legs?

I don't want to scrimp but I tend to overbuild and in this case that could press the budget.

Thanks.

Oh, glad to find out that the Z axis takes a Nema23.

From the looks of your studio this should be a first rate build and I am looking forward to seeing how it comes together.

BobL.

[dfmiller]

Bob,
40 Series
Dave

[boblon]

Thanks Dave, but there are lots of flavors

I was guessing 40-4080 or 40-4012s.

I didn't know if the 'Lites' would suffice or not.

BobL.

[dfmiller]

Bob,
If I recall the cross pieces are 40x120 and the X rails are 40x160.
The cross rails don't go all the way to the bottom.
I built my table with the 40 lite series.
Once you get a rough plan call 80/20. They are very helpful and they will do things like check for deflection etc.
Dave

[boblon]

Hmm, I don't see any 40x160 on their website.

I do have their catalog and will look.

Thanks,
BobL.

[dfmiller]

Bob,
You are right.
I checked my drawings and my base was made of 4040 Lite and 4080 lite.
The X rails must be made out of a section equivalent size of 40-120
Sorry for the confusion. That was such a long time ago. ;-)
Dave

[WillsCNC]

Bob,

It is made out of 40 series like Dave said to match up with the machine. My base will be 52.5" wide 48" deep and 32" high. The machine will then sit on the top of that.

The legs are 4080 lite
The top supports 4080
The bottom supports 4040 lite

Hope to get it this week and start building.....I'm kind of at a stand still now

This is the first time using 8020 for me also. I had the rep out last week with the demo van. It's a free service and if you can I would highly recommend doing so. After seeing all the parts I changed my design, made it stronger and legs bigger to fit the casters I went with. Don't know if can scan my plans but will try and then post them.

Will

[boblon]

Thanks Will.

I was really curious what the rep recommended and I really appreciate the info.

I was able to get XYZ to mail me a set of plans (edit: actually a single drawing) for a 24"x24" design and with your length dimensions I should be ok (as mine is also 48" on the X axis).


BobL.