New XYZ Gantry Kit

[dfmiller]

Thanks for the encouragement. I have half the motors bolted on, Ran into a minor hitch as the kits was missing a couple of SHCS. Picked up a box of 100 so I can drop a few. :-)
I have Mach3 loaded on the touch screen PC so I plan on finishing up the motor attachment and getting it moving on the weekend.

Dave

[dfmiller]

I have my machine up and moving around. Have cables to adjust for length on and figure out how to tidy-up the wiring.
Mach 3 with MSM screens and my touch screen PC went well. once spindle is mounted need to crank up the Velocity and Accel numbers but it nice and safe for now.
Ran roadrunnner file and seems to work cutting air.
I have limits switches on order and now trying to find suitable table material. Pricing out some T-slot table extrusion.
Any suggestions on options other than 80/20 and XZerocnc are appreciated.
Thanks
Dave

[dfmiller]

Table tops.
After looking around there don't seem to be many options.
In aluminum extrusions I have found the 80/20 40-8020 and the 5013 profiles the Techno Isel (nice but too expensive) and the xzerocnc stuff. http://www.cnczone.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=92
I guess you could also use a 25x50 extrusion but that starts to eat up z axis room
Thanks Dave

[brtech]

How about just using MDF?

Two 3/4" layers. One is full width. Mount T-Track on that. Fill in between the T track with 3/4" MDF strips. On yours, you might want to throw an extrusion across the middle so you only have 1' unsupported span.

[dfmiller]

Brtech,
Good idea, I am planing on using a MDF spoil board.
I think I have an extrusion solution worked out and once I see the material quote make a decision.
I agree I need a extra cross piece if I go wit just MDF
Thanks
Dave

[boblon]

Dave,
Watching this with great interest. The machine looks just great. I hope it performs like it looks.
I have a request for a quote in with XYZGantry and am hoping I can sqeeze the budget some and get together with them.
I've got a homebuilt MDF machine now, so I have all the motors and electronics, would be fun to move them to something like this.

Good Luck can't wait to hear more.

BobL.

[boblon]

Dave,

Well, I just heard back from XYZ and I'm on the verge of taking the plunge.


I know you're not complete yet, but can you give me your impressions of this product so far? It looks like it should be solid, with very little flexing or racking, is this your impression?

Any other thoughts you care to share to someone ready to take the plunge?

Edit: Oh, one more thing. Any idea what cut/rapid speeds your anticipating with the motors you using?

Thanks,
BobL.

[WillsCNC]

Bob,
I know Dave is gone this week but have had many talks with him. I also have a machine on order from XYZ Gantry. I do think it will be stronger but will find out. I don't know about speed or feed rates, for me I don't need it. I'm not a production shop but an artist that wants quality over quanity. I know the lead time is long but it's going to get longer. So if you like what you see so far go for it.
Will

[boblon]

Thanks for the update Will.

Waiting on a call from them now to work out the details.

BobL.

[dfmiller]

BobL,
Thanks for your interest.
Will, thanks for stepping in.
I am back now. I survived a week on no internet. :-) Well almost non. Had a 4 hour drive for data coverage on phone. I did find some WiFi.

My impression is that in the size of mine racking etc will not be a problem. For my little machine its way overbuilt. I expect Gantry size of over 5 foot would not be a problem. I have not run the calculations yet.



As for speed, I have not started tuning up the motor to determine max speed. Fro my size tables I dont think there are any issues.
Getting my limit switches mounted are the next step. I have the prox switches. I have figured out locations for X and Y , still working on Z. I have some holes to drill and tap and some T nuts to fabricate for the adjustable limits.

A area to consider when ordering is how you are going to mount the unit and what you are going to use for a table top. If you are going to use MDF remember you may have to add at least one more cross piece to support the MDF. If you are going to use extrusion make sure you get the Y axis dimension to fit the desired extrusion. I ended up going with with 40-8020 extrusion and will have some gaps to fill in with spacers.
Hindsight is wonderful.

A suggestion is to have patience when dealing with XYZ. They are in the early stages any sometimes they take longer than you would expect for answers. The end result is worth it.


I hope to get some pictures posted this weekend
Dave

[boblon]

Hey Dave,
Welcome back

And thanks for the additional info. You're right about things taking time when dealing with XYZ, but glad to hear that is 'normal' if you will, for now.

I've decided to order one, am waiting on the e-mail with the order form, but like you say, the wheels turn slow.

I'm going with a 24"x48" cutting area.

So I will be following your build closely. It sounds like your well pleased with what you got from XYZ and that is good news to me also.

Good luck with the rest of the build.

BobL.

[dfmiller]

BoB,
24"x48" is a nice size. Thinking about things now I should have probably gone for that size myself. I imagine it will be identical to mine but with longer rails. I guess I could probably upgrade mine later.
Are you going for mechanical only kit or all the electronics also?
If you want any particular pictures etc drop me a note and I would be pleased to oblige.
Dave