David A's Benchtop CNC Version 2

[davida1234]

Hello all,

Some of you might remember, I had posted a thread called "David A's New 2x3 Benchtop CNC" about two years ago.

https://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-c...h-top-cnc.html

The machine has been running good and received quite a bit of changes in those two years so I thought I start a new thread showing the improvements I made since then.

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[davida1234]

First, I built a double-walled base out of Birch ply with 4x4 posts at each corner. Bottoms of these
pockets are closed in case I want to mass-load it with sand:

[davida1234]

It takes 2-1/2 sheets of 4x8 ply and about ten feet of 4x4 post.

For anybody who might want to build something similar, each image is one sheet:

[davida1234]

I plan to build these machines in 2x2, 2x3 and 2x4 sizes and make them available for purchase.

Therefore, I will progress with the thread like a customer had just received his/her order.

The sample desktop shown here is the 2x3 desktop.

[davida1234]

The machine will arrive in a reusable birch ply crate:




With panel markings for re-assembly:




The crate is disassembled/reassembled with industry standard steel clamps:

[davida1234]

The crate contains the fully assembled, bolted, bonded and watertight machine frame.
(Padding and strapping removed):

[HuguesP]

Nice Keep Up!

[davida1234]

Thank you Hugues.

The naked frame weighs about 170 lbs.:



All mounting surfaces for linear rails on the machine are machined:

[davida1234]

All other assemblies of the machine are mounted on the bottom plate of the crate, underneath of the machine frame.
(Padding, strapping and small parts boxes removed):



Major assemblies:

[davida1234]

I wanted to fill the base with sand as it would be difficult to access the pockets after the top and the machine is put on the base. Couldn't find any sand which was dry. All the bags were somewhat moist. So I filled the base with 400 pounds of moist sand.

Letting the sand dry in the pockets before proceeding:

[davida1234]

Amazing how long it takes to dry out the sand all the way to the bottom, even with a large fan blowing over it.

While I wait for that, I will start with the assembly of some components.

[davida1234]

X-Carriage and Z-Slide assembly:

Main components of the X-Carriage and the Z-slide:

[davida1234]

[davida1234]

Z-slide by itself:

[davida1234]

If you are planning on using a water cooled spindle, now is a good time to install the cooling hoses.

I use 1/4"ID-3/8OD hoses from McMaster. Quite a bit sturdier and pliable compared to big box store
material and stays better on most nipples without additional clamps.

Attach two 3' hoses to the spindle. It is a bit tight but it will fit:

[davida1234]

Place the spindle into the spindle mount.

Make sure that the nipples are inline with the shafts:



The transition of the bottom bearing holder to the spindle body should just daylight from the mount:

[davida1234]

To start assembling the X-carriage, slide the 30mm ball bushings of
the bottom plate from the bottom over the Z-slide shafts.
Make sure that the pockets on the plate are at the bottom:



Remove the top clamp of the Z-slide and push from the top the
upper plate ball bushings onto the Z-slide shafts.

Make sure that the four aluminum spacers are on top:



It should look like this:

[davida1234]

Now take off the 8mm screws on the 30mm ball bushings
on both the upper and lower plates:



And install the side plates on sides.
Leave everything just hand tight for now:



The rough assembly of the X-carriage and the Z-slide is
finished and ready to be mounted onto the gantry:

[davida1234]

A short demonstration of the Z-slide:

[davida1234]

.
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Comments, suggestions, dislikes/likes very welcome.....