What' the basis of a new CNC design ? ............ ACME lead screw length ?

That's a nice build that one Rick, I had already saved some images of that format but I hadn't found the SketchUp files ............. so, many thanks for that mate From rotating that around I can see that it's infinitely adjustable, I like that. More height can be had just by installing the support pillars from the Z axis higher up on the main column. In the image that pillar seems to be at least 3" further down than where I would need it. The idea of the 'Out-Riggers' is also on one of my drawings, as I can see how that would stabilise it, and to further stabilise it you can obviously bolt the entire thing down onto a workbench ....... as I'm going to do.

I got an email from Ryan Lock this evening, the good news is, they do supply the 'MiniMill', it's just not on their website yet, so that idea isn't dead in the water just yet !

Yes, those custom made support plates are going to be an issue, but I guess I can make some of my own once I get my standard 'MiniMill' ! Or could somebody on here make some for me ?

There's one more thing I need to look into, both tracks X and Y are facing up ( as are most CNC builds I've seen ), I need those underneath as those will just fill up with bits of plastic in no time ! It must be possible to hide the lead screws underneath the assembly somehow ........ or is there a particular reason why they're always on top ?



TURK

 

Hi Rick

You guys must be thinking that I'm quite a pain in the neck with my constant questions ................... and indeed I can be But I really like to do my homework before hand, by nature I have a very inquisitive mind, so I like know what to expect. I don't like surprises ......... specially if the error could lead to you being out of pocket by a few hundred quid ! ( or bucks ! )

I've seen many off the shelf kits and member builds, and for me to find the ideal solution that will fill my needs is to find the flaws in the builds I've already seen. The biggest flaw ( or setback ) that I've seen so far is, the visible lead screw ! I know you'll say that most machines have spoil boards on the drive mechanism to hide the screws, but some don't. That would be a disaster for me,as I'm working with plastics and shaping PU foam, both those materials produce static electricity which will cling to metal surfaces, and for bits of plastic to stick to the drive screw, I don't think that's such a good idea. I've seen the paper bellows thing you mention on some industrial machines, so that would work, but there may be a simpler solution.

I'm currently looking at two different machines, both very different in styles. At this point could I just mention something that had me questioning the dual linear actuators for the Y axis. As I don't know a great deal about CNC machines ( all too obvious from my ramblings I know ), I thought that if you had two separate stepper motors one for the left runner and one for the right runner, that there maybe the potential of one of the stepper motors running out of sync !!! So my reasoning was to stay away from a potential hazard.

I've since then watched Scotty's video that he mentioned earlier in this thread, and in there he mentioned he had ordered an 'Abus' ( I think it was Abus ) controller board. He also mentioned that on that particular controller board that two of the stepper motor inputs were 'twinned', are all controller boards like that ?


Apologies for all the dumb questions guys, but wait til we get round to the software stuff !


Forget to mention ..............

I most certainly will mate




TURK