Sprags published a new build:

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Last weekend I completed the frame. Previously I built the wheel/plate assemblies.
This weekend I started bolting the gantries the the frame and thinking since everything is square and all of the beams were carefully measured at least twice and then cut and then measured again to verify I cut them to the correct lengths figured I should just be able to bolt everything together and it should all be good. Well..my X-axis is supposed to be 600mm and that's what I measured the frame parts to be. And according to plan the c-beam is supposed to be 603mm which it does measure to. However, upon bolting everything together I found the distance between the y-axis beams measures around 602mm. So it looks like I'll be tweaking and adjusting everything before attaching the X-axis beam to the risers.

 

Hey Mike!
I got sidetracked with home repairs and working 55 hours a week for the past month..but I did get the mechanical assembly complete...only to realize I forgot to install the shims between the collars and bearings while installing the lead screws. I'm going to fix that this weekend. I'm ordering a Bud Industries enclosure as well as an e-stop buttons and a fan to assemble all my electronics. I'm still trying to decide on either a raspberry pi for the controller software or a Windows laptop.

 

my iPad is on its way out...it's an iPad 3 I got in 2011 so I am considering a new laptop rather than a tablet. I'm thinking I should get it running with a laptop to make that phase easier and once that's done the raspberry pi would be permanent...hopefully

 

My old desktop is a huge tower with 32 gigs of ram and dual monitor setup. And I do not have a laptop. My iPad is going on 7 years old so I thought it was time for a new laptop. I figure i can use the laptop to get the machine running and then try a R Pi.....but maybe a cheap 200 dollar laptop would be better? What do you think?

 

So you have your machine controller and a desktop PC board to run the controller software along with the stepper drivers in your tower case?

 

Mike...that's all right. Hog away...I appreciate all the help your giving me.. I was about to spend money on an empty metal box which I would then need to cutout openings for a fan, mounting holes, switch and connector openings. I kinda had this idea that a computer case was kinda cheesy but this kinda makes more sense...especially when you have the PC and the machine controller in one box. Only thing is I'm trying to justify a new laptop ...something I can run Fusion 360 on as well the machine controller software. And I like the idea of the software being windows based since I haven't played with Linux in a long time and to install bCNC and get communications setup on a R-Pi, though would be cool is getting away from the main objective.

 

I agree how about creating another thread for setting up the controller...but please leave the photos here too.

 

I bought a case from Automation Technologies, the place a few miles from my house. The case was kind of expensive for what it is but it looks good. It is large enough you contain the Phoenix controller board, the servo motor drivers, the power supply and the VFD...even though I am reading that to prevent and electronic signal issues it would be better to not put the VFD is the same case.

In all my years of being a computer geek I've thrown away more cases and boards and cables than most can believe and unfortunately I do not have any cases or motherboards to use for this project.

I have a feeling this project may take off and when that happens I will probably re-do the electronics part.

Thanks for keeping this thread going during my hiatus.