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Openbuilds 4x8 cnc

Discussion in 'CNC Mills/Routers' started by Sam Keller, Aug 14, 2020.

  1. Sam Keller

    Sam Keller Well-Known
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    Sam Keller published a new build:

    Read more about this build...
     
  2. Corey Corbin

    Corey Corbin Well-Known
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    Nice machine. I like.
     
    Ryder2112 and Sam Keller like this.
  3. theSalcedo

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    Fantastic idea @Sam Keller!
    I was looking for a minimalistic 4x8 footprint and this might just be it.
    Do you have a detailed BOM you'd be willing to share?

    Cheers!
     
  4. Sam Keller

    Sam Keller Well-Known
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    Here are the parts I made this out of.
    1601250086426.jpg
    upload_2020-8-18_12-40-36.png
    upload_2020-8-18_12-41-26.png
    I didn't use the Dewalt router mounts like I originally planned, I bought a separate Hitachi router mount. I also bought more hardware from the hardware store and I made some brackets from aluminum plate and angle.

    These parts I bought from Amazon and Ebay
    upload_2020-8-18_12-48-15.png
    upload_2020-8-18_12-48-40.png
    upload_2020-8-18_12-49-15.png
    upload_2020-8-18_12-49-39.png
    upload_2020-8-18_12-50-3.png
    upload_2020-8-18_12-50-29.png
    upload_2020-8-18_12-53-42.png
    upload_2020-8-18_12-54-4.png
    upload_2020-8-18_12-54-31.png
    upload_2020-8-18_12-55-6.png
    I'm using 2 of these power supplies

    upload_2020-8-18_12-56-8.png
    upload_2020-8-18_12-56-32.png
    upload_2020-8-18_12-57-7.png
    upload_2020-8-18_12-57-36.png
    upload_2020-8-18_12-58-1.png
    I had to grind out these belt tensioners to fit a 10mm belt pulley but they work good.
    upload_2020-8-18_12-58-34.png
    upload_2020-8-18_13-0-45.png
    upload_2020-8-18_13-1-16.png
     

    Attached Files:

    #4 Sam Keller, Aug 18, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2020
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  5. theSalcedo

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    Oh boy, you are a Rock Star! Very detailed and thorough, thanks a lot!
     
  6. Sam Keller

    Sam Keller Well-Known
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    I just posted everything I bought for this. I didn't use everything but it is mostly right.
    I really like the standalone controller although I was hoping to slave the 2nd x and z axis so I could have 2 homing switches on each axis so it would auto square but the controller doesn't have the slave capability so I have to manually square the x and z axis. I would probably buy a different one if it had the slave option.
     
  7. Sam Keller

    Sam Keller Well-Known
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    Here is a step file of my layout. It is not 100% how I built it but its a good starting point.
     

    Attached Files:

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  8. KramE

    KramE New
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    Welp, color me inspired. I think I just found my next project.

    I'm a little lost on how you installed the belt drive. I see the tensioner, but how exactly did you mount the motor?

    Thanks again for the post!
     
  9. Sam Keller

    Sam Keller Well-Known
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    20200813_104320.jpg
    These are dual shaft motors which I didn't need but bought because the price seemed good. The shaft at the bottom has a 2gt 20 tooth pulley. I made the aluminium plate to mount it to the c channel.
     
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  10. KramE

    KramE New
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    Great, thank you!

    So far you haven't had any issues with rigidity? I've been looking into to the lowrider CNC as an affordable rig but I just haven't been able to pull the trigger.

    What's your footprint vs workspace? Are you happy with the double x axis? What led you to that choice over a single z actuator on the router?

    Sorry for all the questions, but this is a pretty exciting build!
     
  11. Sam Keller

    Sam Keller Well-Known
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    I got this idea from the low rider cnc. I wanted to minimize the weight on the gantry and this thing is very rigid, better than i expected. There is no deflection at all that i can see. The table i built is 6x10, the machine is about 5.5 x almost 10 and i get approx 4.5 x 9 ft cutting area.
     
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  12. theSalcedo

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    @KramE if it helps, I run a 4x8ft LR2 and rigidity is definitely questionable. The Y (long) side runs on wheels without a guide, and they tend to come out of square easily. Repeatability is definitely an issue.
    I am very interested in Sam's build, it's simple enough and I don't need much in terms of speed, I just need it to be solid and provide accurate and repeatable cuts.
     
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  13. Sam Keller

    Sam Keller Well-Known
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    I am happy to answer questions! I am Very excited about and pleased with this machine. I learned a lot building it also.
     
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  14. Sam Keller

    Sam Keller Well-Known
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    Here are a few more pictures.
    20200820_100922.jpg 20200820_100853.jpg 20200820_100835.jpg 20200820_100749.jpg 20200820_100734.jpg 20200820_100722.jpg 20200820_100655_HDR.jpg
     
  15. KramE

    KramE New
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    Those are some really helpful pictures!

    How did you get C Beam that long? Is it one continuous piece per axis or did you link more than one piece together?

    I don't need a lot of power as I just want to 2D cut plywood and acrylic, so I wonder if I could get away with nema 17 motors? Do you have any kind of feeling if your nema 23s are struggling at all?

    @theSalcedo Well that pretty much makes up my mind. I built a mpcnc and it just wasn't for me. Great community and support, but I just wasn't feeling my build.
     
  16. Sam Keller

    Sam Keller Well-Known
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    The long c beams are 2 1500mm put together. I could have bought 3000mm ones but shipping was more. I have these lined up good so i don't have a problem with them.
    20200820_122326.jpg
     
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  17. Sam Keller

    Sam Keller Well-Known
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    The nema 23's are strong. Not struggling at all. My router is big and heavy so i can make pretty deep and fast cuts. Nema 17's might work if you don't push it too hard. I had a Bob's cnc E3 with nema 17's and it struggled and got of track if i ran too deep and too fast but that was the belts slipping so i went with 9mm belts instead of 6mm.
     
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  18. KramE

    KramE New
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    That's so cool!

    I'm actually looking for something close to a 2ft by 4ft working area, but I was hesitant because I didn't want to box myself out if I wanted to expand to a full sheet.

    I have to do a version of this build!

    Edit: I think I'll give nema 17s a try since I already have them. If I need bigger then I can buy bigger.
     
  19. theSalcedo

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    So is the idea behind using the 2 Z actuators only to reduce weight on the gantry?
     
  20. Sam Keller

    Sam Keller Well-Known
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    I think it makes the z axis force stronger and my router isn't cantilevered off the gantry so far. Plus the gantry goes up so i can fit thicker material under it. I had trouble with my last gantry so i wanted to try it. It works very good so far
     
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  21. KramE

    KramE New
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    How do you like your dust evac machine?
     
  22. Sam Keller

    Sam Keller Well-Known
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    I like the dust collector a lot except I have to get a cyclone separator for it. The bigger chips clog the inlet and stop it from sucking. This is what I'm getting to put on a bucket. I'll try it out this weekend.
    Capture+_2020-08-20-14-59-25.png
     
  23. KramE

    KramE New
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    Interesting. I have a dust deputy, but I've only used it a couple times and not with the router.

    How did you parallel your Y rails?
     
  24. Sam Keller

    Sam Keller Well-Known
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    To parallel the rails screwed one side down and then pushed the gantry down the rail as I screwed the other side down. It went well, I was worried about that.
     
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  25. KramE

    KramE New
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    That's pretty much how I did it with my 3d printer when I converted to linear rails. Just a much smaller scale.
     
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  26. KramE

    KramE New
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    Ok, more questions time.

    What made you go with the XL Gantry rather than the regular gantry? Are the wheels on the outside of the profile more stable than having them inside?

    What kind of motion actuator did you use for the X axis? Belt and pinion? I don't quite understand how that works on the C-Beam. I see your picture and I see what looks like a smooth wheel, but I don't see a belt or anything toothed?
     
  27. Sam Keller

    Sam Keller Well-Known
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    I'm pretty sure with the wheels on the outside the forces are spread out more making it more stable. Plus I used 6 wheels on each gantry trying to make it as strong as possible.

    Here is a picture of the x axis motion actuator, I had to drill and tap holes to mount the idler pulleys and the motor.
    gantry belt.png
     
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  28. KramE

    KramE New
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    Oh now that's a great view. Thank you!
     
  29. chuck english

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    Hey Sam
    Im in awe.... From a quick add it seems you have a little under 2200$ in this. Does this sound right? Is this everything except cpu and dust collector? I really want to start this but its very intimidating. Will have a million questions if I grow the kuhunas to do it.. Are you located in the US?
    Thanks,
    Chuck
     
  30. Sam Keller

    Sam Keller Well-Known
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    Hey Chuck,
    Yes, I listed everything except some stuff I bought at my local hardware store and the wood for the table. It has a stand alone controller so no need for a computer to run it, just plug in my usb stick with my gcode and go. I love this machine, it's strong and fast and quieter than my small Bobs E3 cnc. I learned allot building it and I'm happy to answer questions. I live in central Illinois.
     

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