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OpenBuilds OX 48x48 Aluminum

Discussion in 'CNC Mills/Routers' started by Giuliano M, Apr 3, 2014.

  1. Giuliano M

    Giuliano M Well-Known
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    Giuliano M published a new build:

    Read more about this build...
     
  2. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Looking forward to this super OX build! :thumbsup:
     
  3. Giuliano M

    Giuliano M Well-Known
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    Thanks!

    I'm working on making the spoilboard area modular, with a central 48x48" piece that you can replace easily with a half-sheet (48x48) of MDF.

    The areas in the sides and back will be for hold-downs.

    I'll post the model in a bit, after I make some further mods..
     
  4. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    Sounds like an interesting build Giuliano M :thumbsup:
    I am looking forward to following your progress.

    Tweakie.
     
  5. Giuliano M

    Giuliano M Well-Known
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    Modified the gantry to add the 3rd 20x60 beam, and squeezed in a third set of wheels, both on top and bottom.

    Sketchup's dimensioning is saying there's about 0.3 - 0.45mm of play in the set up, but I'm sure it will be fine.

    It's a very weird thing to have this mix of Imperial and Metric involved...

    The extra thick gantry requires the axle bolts to be longer - an 85mm M5 socket head cap screw from McMaster-Carr is just about the perfect length.

    I'm probably going to incorporate drilling holes through the sides of the 20x60's to bolt the 3 beams together horizontally for rigidity.

    OpenBuilds_OX_CNC_Router - 48x48 Upper Bearings.png

    OpenBuilds_OX_CNC_Router - 48x48 Lower Bearings.png
     
  6. Seul Kee

    Seul Kee New
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    I am also planning to build a 4' x 4' CNC which is very similar to what you just showed us.
    Your build will help me a lot! I also wanted to strengthen the gantry part like you did.

    There will be some differences but, overall, your build and mine will be viewed almost like twins.
    I will post my build when ready.

    Good luck and thanks, Guiliano!
     
  7. Gvardo

    Gvardo New
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    Since I have discovered the Openbuilds community I have learned that building a cnc is very similar to shopping for a new TV, if you see a bigger one that fits in your living room you want it :)
    I had a 1000mmx1500mm build in mind but looking at your model I think I want a bigger screen:)
    Looking forward to your progress
     
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  8. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    Excellent comparison Gvardo. :D

    Tweakie.
     
  9. Giuliano M

    Giuliano M Well-Known
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    Probably won't be until March when I can start ordering parts - starting with the rails.

    In the mean time I'll work on designing a 2x4 stand for this beast, since it won't fit on a table.

    Also, about the motors - think the 175oz steppers will be enough to get started?
     
  10. Daryl

    Daryl New
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    Adam Eldeen and Giuliano M like this.
  11. Giuliano M

    Giuliano M Well-Known
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    Much better!

    :)
     
  12. Giuliano M

    Giuliano M Well-Known
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    Massive vacuum table?

    Sure, why not!

    48"x48" 3-sheet MDF box, 2" border, 10" squares of 1/4" holes spaced 3/8" apart, with 1" in between the squares.

    Just laid out the top layer - going to carve out the middle layer and cut a hole in the bottom for the hose attachment.

    OpenBuilds_OX_CNC_Router - 48x48 Vacuum Table.jpg
     
  13. Seul Kee

    Seul Kee New
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    Wow! Getting more and more interesting!

    Cheers!!!
     
  14. Giuliano M

    Giuliano M Well-Known
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    Middle layer of the vacuum table.

    I'm trying to design it so that you can cut it in-place with the router, and then glue the layers together.

    I have no idea how much vacuum pressure will be required to hold anything of size down, but it's an interesting task nonetheless.


    OpenBuilds_OX_CNC_Router - 48x48 Vacuum Table 2.jpg
     
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  15. Giuliano M

    Giuliano M Well-Known
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    Trying out another hole layout for the top layer:

    That's a 48"x48" sheet with 12" square sections, each with a 32x32 hole grid (1024 holes), 1/4" holes spaced 3/8" apart.

    That's 16,384 holes!

    Sketchup **** near crashed...


    I may instead try a recessed slot grid arrangement with a single larger hole in the centers of each square... not sure yet.
    48x48 Vacuum Table Layer 1.jpg
     
  16. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    That’s an awful lot of holes but I suppose that as they would be CNC drilled, on the machine, then it’s just another can of beer while you wait. ;)


    This is an old video and the vac table is not as grand as your design but it may be of interest.


    Tweakie.
     
  17. Giuliano M

    Giuliano M Well-Known
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    Yeah, I saw that video - may do something similar.

    It's entirely a work of progress, so who knows...
     
  18. Kass

    Kass New
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    I can't wait for your next update on the build...
     
  19. GrayUK

    GrayUK Openbuilds Team Elder
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    Thoughts and Suggestions. :rolleyes:
    Vacuum Base.

    It's not so much, the area that you want to (excuse the phrase) "suck on", it's more the area, that you don't want to suck on. i.e. If you put a work piece of only 12" x 12" in the middle of the 48"x48" bed, think how much suction you will be losing in the surrounding area. :confused:

    As a suggestion, and I haven't really thought it through, I might add:-


    Sliding slats. What about making it up out of 2 or 3 sheets of 6mm ply, or thinner, sitting on top of a slim vacuum base.

    The idea being that each of the 12"x12", or smaller zones, be an independent, sliding, slatted, area. So if not covered by the work piece, it can be slid shut, (I don't know how, I'm just the "ideas man" here), allowing for maximum suction in the required areas. It would also allow for, a reduced rate of suction required, as not so much would be wasted in the surrounding area.
    I know this is fraught with potential problems, but it's an idea to knock around I think. :)

    Thought: If the bed is sucking all the time, where does the swarf and cutting dust go? Need one of those cyclone thingies there I think. :cool:


    Opportunity: In fact, if someone could come up with a cheap and easy'ish solution to this problem they would have it made. He, or she, could produce, cheap, suction beds, complete with a suitable pump, of varying size, for the likes of us to just drop onto our work-beds. :thumbsup:


    Other Thought: What you really need, is a method of moving a, "smaller area of high suction, but, all the suction", around and beneath the bed to selected areas. Now that would really utilise the vacuum to it's full potential. :thumbsup:

    Counter Thought:
    You could always just have a selection of 6mm squares of various sizes, on one side, and use them to cover the unused areas. "Occam's Razor". :banghead:

    So maybe this thread was a waste of time after all. :zipit:

    Then again: "Constructive thoughts are never a waste of time."

    I wonder who said that? Oh yeah. It was me. :ROFL:

    Cheers

    Gray
     
  20. GrayUK

    GrayUK Openbuilds Team Elder
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    Just noticed the date on the above threads. Should have started a new thread.

    Gray
     
  21. Giuliano M

    Giuliano M Well-Known
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    Regrettably, this project isn't on my priority list any longer, so I'm not sure if/when it may happen.
     
  22. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    Hi Gray,

    This design of vacuum table enables you to select just the area you need to use by placing the silicon tubing in the appropriate channels. :)

    My vacuum table is just full of holes - I jig place the work then use 4 (or more) pieces of Mylar sheet to cover the exposed holes - pretty much the same result.

    Tweakie.

    vac1.jpg
     
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  23. GrayUK

    GrayUK Openbuilds Team Elder
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    Did you buy it or make it? Knowing you, I can guess. I get the idea, what sort of pump do you use?

    Gray
     
  24. GrayUK

    GrayUK Openbuilds Team Elder
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    I was thinking today, :rolleyes: as I drove to Westbury in the sun with the top down:cool:. If my baseboard was marked off into 6" squares, and full of holes, I could glue a half inch wide metal framework on the underside, in the 6" square pattern. Then, using a 6" square fitment, made by my fair hand, :) or a square tumble dryer vent connector reducing down to a vac pipe size, which had a magnetic strip along its top edge and then connected to my shop vac. So, after placing the workpiece on the table, I slide the amazing suction bit under the table, and beneath the workpiece, where it magnetically adheres to the metal strip square. Voila, the suction is allocated to the area required. :thumbsup:

    I really don't know where I get these marvelous ideas! :ROFL: Sometimes I amaze myself. :jawdrop:

    I still like Tweakie's though. :thumbsup:

    Gray
     
  25. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    Hi Gray,

    My apologies for not making it clear - the perspex vac. table was made by a friend of mine and the pic was just to show the idea.

    Although the shop vac. could be used it may be a very noisy solution - I prefer to use a Gast Roc-R pump which is quiet in comparison. ;)

    Excellent idea about the magnetic fitment of a vacuum attachment. :thumbsup:

    Tweakie.
     
  26. Rick 2.0

    Rick 2.0 OpenBuilds Team
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    Shop vacs and vacuum pumps are not exactly interchangeable. You'll burn up a shop vac trying to hold suction like this unless you allow a fair amount of bypass which in turn will greatly reduce suction.

    Tweakie: That acrylic suction jig is pretty ingenious. :thumbsup:
     
  27. GrayUK

    GrayUK Openbuilds Team Elder
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    I see Ebay have got a couple of Roc-R vac pumps for around £50. Not bad if that is the type you're talking about. Would they be able to suck away without burning themselves out? I guess they would have settings and by-passes.

    Gray
     
  28. Tweakie

    Tweakie OpenBuilds Team
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    Hi Gray,

    I think it would be wise to check the manufacturer's data sheet for that information. Certainly my Gast Roc-R pumps are continuously rated.

    Tweakie.
     
  29. Wes123

    Wes123 New
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    I am wondering how the triple 20mm x 6omm extrusion gantry is working out. I am looking to do something similar for a build I am starting. Thanks!
     
  30. Steve123

    Steve123 New
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