How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?


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Thread: How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

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    Default How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

    Trying to upgrade this 3040 router with a higher torque BLDC spindle for cutting steel. Besides having a higher 1.3 Nm torque vs 0.3 Nm for the stock spindle, more importantly, the full torque is available at 0 speed unlike induction motors. I made a plate with a bunch of screw holes to allow height adjustment, but even so, it's now a lot harder to adjust the height because I have to (un)screw 4 bolts, instead of just (un)tightening 2 bolts and sliding a cylindrical spindle in its collar. Also, it will cause the aluminum threads to wear out quicker.

    What can I do? I was thinking something like a plate that slides on rails. Or would it be better to adjust the gantry height https://www.cnczone.com/forums/comme...ry-height.html or just raise the work?

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    Default Re: How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

    I am not sure what the issue is, I never adjust the height of my spindle on my cnc router, that is what the z-axis is for. Could you explain why you are wanting to adjust the height?



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    Default Re: How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

    I need to adjust it because the Z travel is only 80mm. The Z clearance from the T slots to the bottom of the Z axis is 125mm, so I can only use a portion of it. Some times I want the spindle to reach all the way to the T slots but this would be used rarely like for wood relief carvings since that will make the Z easy to flex. For cutting metal, I will have to raise the work.



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    Default Re: How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

    You could mount a dovetail to the back of the spindle that slides into a dovetail mount on the Z axis that locks when it's in the right position.

    [FONT=Verdana]Andrew Werby[/FONT]
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    Default Re: How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

    I just don't think that machine has anywhere near the required build to attempt to cut steel. I wish you all the luck in the world if you make it work, please share your progress and post some photos of your results. Wood and maybe aluminum but you need a mill for steel



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    Default Re: How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

    ...just use a Sub plate riser



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    Default Re: How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

    Quote Originally Posted by machinehop5 View Post
    ...just use a Sub plate riser
    He is already using one

    Mactec54


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    Default Re: How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

    You could mount a dovetail to the back of the spindle that slides into a dovetail mount
    Very clever, but I don't think I'll be able to cut a deep enough dovetail channel without severe runout, unless I go very slowly. How would the locking/clamping work? I was thinking you would add 1 or more extra slots parallel to the dovetails. A screw would slide in that slot that could be tightened to clamp the 2 plates.

    This was the design I was thinking before dovetailing. I would use wing nuts to easily tighten. Also, it won't wear out the aluminum threads.
    How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?-spindle_adapter_plate2-png



    just use a Sub plate riser
    You mean like this? Is the height adjustable? I don't want to get it for several heights.
    How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?-riser_subplate-jpg

    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?-riser_subplate-jpg   How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?-spindle_adapter_plate2-png  


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    Default Re: How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

    Wait, I can get most of the benefits of dovetailing with just 2 rectangular rails. Much easier to cut ! I'm going to do that. Thanks for the dovetailing suggestion. I guess that's the ideal solution



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    Default Re: How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

    Quote Originally Posted by spacesaver View Post
    Wait, I can get most of the benefits of dovetailing with just 2 rectangular rails. Much easier to cut ! I'm going to do that. Thanks for the dovetailing suggestion. I guess that's the ideal solution
    Yes that is the way to do it, your motor plate would have the male dovetail on it and just a rail each side one fixed the other to clamp this does not have to be a dovetail, it can be just be a step which is easier to make in your case like sketch

    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?-slide-gif  
    Mactec54


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    Default Re: How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

    Quote Originally Posted by coherent View Post
    I just don't think that machine has anywhere near the required build to attempt to cut steel. I wish you all the luck in the world if you make it work, please share your progress and post some photos of your results. Wood and maybe aluminum but you need a mill for steel
    x2 coherent ..good advice



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    Default Re: How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

    Quote Originally Posted by machinehop5 View Post
    x2 coherent ..good advice
    You can cut steel with a dremel, and very well, anything can cut steel, it's just how well and how efficient, most routers like this can cut steel but very poorly due to lack of rigidity and clearance in the slide bearing, backlash and a spindle not suitable to cut steel, correct those things and you can cut steel without any problems

    On large fab work all steel, I use a Bosch hand trim router to cut corner radius and chamfer the edges, so anything is posable if you have an imagination and a want and need

    Mactec54


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    Default Re: How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

    I made the sliding rail. Much easier to adjust now. I haven't done any test cut yet.
    How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?-dsc02110-jpgHow to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?-dsc02111-jpg
    How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?-dsc02100-jpgHow to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?-dsc02105-jpgHow to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?-dsc02108-jpg

    I just don't think that machine has anywhere near the required build to attempt to cut steel.
    I'm very aware and did succeed in cutting steel https://www.cnczone.com/forums/chine...el-router.html. You just have to go very slowly and cut near the XY corners where the rigidity is strongest. The biggest weakness is the twist about the x axis due to the 2 unsupported X rails. Replacing them with supported rails would be the next improvement. The spindle getting stuck was the biggest problem and snapped lots of end mills.

    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?-dsc02102-jpg   How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?-dsc02100-jpg   How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?-dsc02105-jpg   How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?-dsc02108-jpg  

    How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?-dsc02110-jpg   How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?-dsc02111-jpg  


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    Default Re: How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

    Quote Originally Posted by spacesaver View Post
    I made the sliding rail. Much easier to adjust now. I haven't done any test cut yet.
    The wing nuts are not going to do a very good job, you need a plate washer to cover the slot, stud to stud, at least 5mm or 6mm thick, then a regular washer and Nut, you need a solid mounting what you have only has 4 small contact points for clamping it, which will be able to flex when cutting

    Mactec54


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    Default Re: How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

    Quote Originally Posted by mactec54 View Post
    The wing nuts are not going to do a very good job, you need a plate washer to cover the slot, stud to stud, at least 5mm or 6mm thick, then a regular washer and Nut, you need a solid mounting what you have only has 4 small contact points for clamping it, which will be able to flex when cutting
    And your tramming might be off a bit every time you adjust the plate.

    BryggaCNC.com


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    Default Re: How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

    you need a plate washer to cover the slot
    That makes sense, but I don't recall in simplified physics, friction depending on the area. If the total clamping force is the same, then so should friction. Unless the ground is mud. This isn't a car stuck in mud is it? I tried finding square washers on McMaster, but almost all the sizes are way too big and not rectangular. I guess I'll have to make my own.

    And your tramming might be off a bit every time you adjust the plate.
    True, but that should only matter if you're cutting a very deep pocket right? I don't think I will do that.

    Last edited by spacesaver; 09-08-2020 at 03:03 PM. Reason: clarify


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    Default Re: How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

    Quote Originally Posted by spacesaver View Post
    That makes sense, but I don't recall in simplified physics, friction depending on the area. If the total clamping force is the same, then so should friction. Unless the ground is mud. This isn't a car stuck in mud is it? I tried finding square washers on McMaster, but almost all the sizes are way too big and not rectangular. I guess I'll have to make my own.


    True, but that should only matter if you're cutting a very deep pocket right? I don't think I will do that.
    If you think this has anything to do with physics or friction you are mistaken, you don't want a square washer, just a piece of flat bar with 2 holes in it would be the correct way to do it

    And yes traming is important if you want to mill a flat surface, not for how deep you go it's more about the surface flatness, pockets will be correct if you have it right for milling a flat surface

    Mactec54


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How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?

How to adjust spindle height for non-cylindrical spindle?