Steel Gantry CNC Milling Machine

[Sam_Delahaye]

Hi everyone, new here and just wanted to post some photos of my on going milling machine project.

I'm about 3 months into the build mainly weekends or any moment I can spare a few seconds. The main parts of the milling machine are done.







just finishing its base off, which after nearly completing the project, realized it should have been the first thing to do!

Thoughts for the next project! Hope you like the pictures!

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[manofmanyhats]

That looks beastly. Nice work. Kind of hard for me to get a sense of scale. What is the cutting envelope on it?

[Sam_Delahaye]

Thanks, table is 700mm x 700mm I might have a better photo to show scale

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[Sam_Delahaye]

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[bhurts]

That machine looks awesome so far. Great job. The only thing I don't like is the round linear rails in the drawing. They do not do the structure any justice. If you haven't already purchased them I'd seriously consider square rails instead. If you go with round rails they'll be the weakest link in the machine and not take advantage of the strength of the structure.

Ben

[Sam_Delahaye]

Thanks Ben, I've already got the round rails from the wooden prototype for this one. However listening to what you're saying it might be well worth changing my idea. Do you think they would really make that much difference?
Sam

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[bhurts]

If your goal is just to cut wood then you will probably be ok. If you plan to cut aluminum or steel the difference would be night and day. Profile rails add many orders of magnitude more rigidity when mounted to a suitable structure. Your base looks rigid enough to support them properly. The profile rails and blocks should be 5-10 times more rigid.

Ben

[pippin88]

After all that work you absolutely must use profile linear bearings. I've used new hiwin ones bought on aliexpress. Found them very good.

There are different preload and precision grades available. For this sort of machine I would recommend medium preload and the better precision grade.

Are you getting it stress relieved and ground?

[Sam_Delahaye]

My aim is to be able to cut anything and everything, within the limits of the machine. steel would definitely be on the list. With the amount of time I've put into it I definitely want to make it as good as I can, looks like I'm shopping for HIWIN then! ;-) 5-10 times more rigid would definitely be worth it! Thanks

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[Sam_Delahaye]

I will have a look for HIWIN rails on aliexpress now, thanks for that! Does the pre load have anything to do with table weight?

The aim is that it will be ground and scrapped. Considered stress relieving it but not sure where in France I could take it.

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[Sam_Delahaye]

Just working on the feet for the stand at the moment, really wish I had posted on here at the beginning. Better late than never I guess!

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[ger21]

With round rails, you'll have a collection of very rigid components held together with sloppy linear rails - not good.

You probably want 20-25mm rails with a medium preload on them.

[hanermo]

Fabulous work.
The best build I have ever seen, for steel.

Agree on linear rails.
Bigger is better.
Go for 25 mm.

Higher preload is better, especially for milling, and usually very low cost difference.

[Sam_Delahaye]

Thanks for the advice ger21 I'm planning on building a second machine with what I have at the moment and save up to get this just right. ;-)

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[Sam_Delahaye]

Thank you hanermo!!! Your comment certainly put a smile on my face! ;-) 25mm is on the list!!

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[Sam_Delahaye]

Got the plates welded on and all ligned up, took a while but I'm happy with how it turned out.



Next on to the feet!



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[Sam_Delahaye]

Used the lathe to make sure all the feet ended up the same height, I know the floor certainly isnt!

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[Sam_Delahaye]

I couldn't resist just putting everything together to see what it looks like!!! And I'm well happy!!!!




Prototype and its successor!!
The garage isn't always that messy (maybe sometimes!) Just needed to move some stuff to get the mill in its resting place!



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[Eddard_Stark]

Nice build. Posting to subscribe.

+1 on profile linear rails; it would be a crime to save a few bucks considering the amount of work you have put into that beautiful frame.

[Sam_Delahaye]

Thank you Eddard Stark! ;-)

I was thinking the same thing, only have to buy them once and hope it will out last me!

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