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Skiprat
03-08-2015, 08:57 PM
Here we go. It all started with an idea of approx 2ft x 3 ft bed and i had a nice space in my shed to put it. I watched ebay and bought a few bits and pieces and then it went all wrong in a good way:excitement:
My brothers factory was closing down and all the square tubing was FREE. and i also got two lengths of linear rail for cheap approx 2mtrs long followed by another two lengths off the same-ish length. so i had to build one to those dimensions...Honest :whistle:
The motors and gear i had was no good for that particular size so off to Zappautomation and i bought the full set of closed loop stepper motors including THC.

Hopefully the following pictures will tell a thousand words and you also get deducted points for a tidy workshop, so i will not be expecting any deductions :pride::pride:.

Cheers Tommy.

routercnc
03-08-2015, 10:08 PM
Should there be some photos attached Tommy? Or are they on the way

Fatty
03-08-2015, 11:56 PM
They are on there way.just waited for my submission to be approved and need to do some reading about sizes etc...work tomorrow , so hopefully tomorrow night...
Cheers Tommy

Fatty
03-08-2015, 11:59 PM
Just replied and my name comes up fatty...must of joined with that name and not Skiprat...need to sort that out aswell...

Skiprat
04-08-2015, 12:03 AM
Hopefully tomorrow night as i now have had the thread approved if you know what i mean....and i need to sort out sizes of images etc...cheers Tommy

Skiprat
04-08-2015, 12:13 AM
Hello
Hopefully tomorrow night as i now know thread is live and i will have to do some reading into image sizes etc.
Cheers Tommy

Skiprat
04-08-2015, 06:31 PM
Here we go...some materials sort from all corners of my contacts...pictures may come in various times...some before others could be completed so this will hopefully sort out the confusion..http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15749&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15748&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15747&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15746&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15745&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15744&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15743&stc=1

Skiprat
04-08-2015, 06:46 PM
They were then cut, bent, welded and painted...to suit my memory plan:smilet-digitalpoint
http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15759&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15758&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15757&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15756&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15755&stc=1~

Skiprat
04-08-2015, 06:49 PM
Some more...
http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15767&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15766&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15765&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15764&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15763&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15762&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15761&stc=1~

Skiprat
04-08-2015, 06:56 PM
Some morehttp://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15768&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15769&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15770&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15771&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15772&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15773&stc=1 with paint pre-fitment etc...

Skiprat
04-08-2015, 06:58 PM
http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15774&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15775&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15776&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15777&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15778&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15779&stc=1More...

Skiprat
04-08-2015, 07:10 PM
And more of the build up...

http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15786&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15787&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15788&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15789&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15790&stc=1

Skiprat
04-08-2015, 07:25 PM
And more...

http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15792&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15793&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15794&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15795&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15796&stc=1

Skiprat
04-08-2015, 07:26 PM
More...

http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15797&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15798&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15799&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15800&stc=1

Skiprat
04-08-2015, 07:28 PM
And more...

http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15801&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15802&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15803&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15804&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15805&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15806&stc=1

Skiprat
04-08-2015, 07:30 PM
More againhttp://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15807&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15808&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15809&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15810&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15811&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15812&stc=1

Skiprat
04-08-2015, 07:37 PM
some more i found....
http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15813&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15814&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15815&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15816&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15817&stc=1

Skiprat
04-08-2015, 07:41 PM
And more...

http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15818&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15819&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15820&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15821&stc=1

Skiprat
04-08-2015, 07:43 PM
More more more...

http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15822&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15823&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15824&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15825&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15826&stc=1

Skiprat
04-08-2015, 07:45 PM
http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15827&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15828&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15829&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15830&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15831&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15832&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15833&stc=1

Skiprat
04-08-2015, 07:46 PM
Hopefully the last lot for now...

http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15834&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15835&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15836&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15837&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15838&stc=1

Skiprat
04-08-2015, 07:56 PM
Well i think that's it for now...i have tried it out and it works but the top rail slightly binds or stops and occasionally shakes...if i tune the motors to different speeds/feeds it does stop but i think the linear bearings are too close together and the Z axis is too high/big for the bearing position, so i will be putting another square section between the two already there.
Hopefully this will make it have a larger surface area to run along if you know what i mean...
There is a water table going in for plasma and i have just bought a 3.3hp perske spindle for routing etc. Pictures to follow.
I also have a few videos of it working and will post them if it helps explain the problems mentioned here...
So hopefully i will have some feedback on my design whether it be praise, upgrades, alterations or criticism.
Cheers for now Tommy

kingcreaky
06-08-2015, 08:56 AM
thanks for all the pics!. keep them coming. Shame you live such a mission away, you seem to be of the same cast!.

well done looks like you have been quite busy

surely that rack and pinion drive on the x shoulders will need reducing via some kind of pulley or gearbox as 1:1 resolution on those steppers wont make a very high resolution machine?

im sure my big machine, is 12:1 drive

matt

Skiprat
09-08-2015, 03:58 PM
Hello All

I have just cut the new square section to go into the y axis to expand the surface area for the z to travel along and hopefully be putting that in this week and get rid of a few gremlins there.
I have tried it out and it works in virtual mode but doesn't seem to know where it is in real mode...have been doing a lot of research in this department on the net and think it is the relationship between homing and machine co-ordinates but will fiddle with that once the y axis is complete and i have eliminated them few problems there first.
The perske spindle is a monster and it rips through wood like butter but obviously no good if i cant control it.

Kingcreaky, thanks for the reply and you mentioned reducing the x axis....is this a solution only if my steppers and the controls havent got a good enough resolution?

It does go very slow to extremely fast depending on the settings.

This is my first build and i am learning enormous amounts which believe it or not, i am enjoying.

Pictures to follow as i will have to reduce the size.

Cheers for now Tommy

Skiprat
09-08-2015, 06:21 PM
http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15856&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15857&stc=1

kingcreaky
10-08-2015, 08:34 AM
Kingcreaky, thanks for the reply and you mentioned reducing the x axis....is this a solution only if my steppers and the controls havent got a good enough resolution?

It does go very slow to extremely fast depending on the settings.
Cheers for now Tommy

Due to a lack of response of any more concise, studious, or literate members I shall do my best to try and explain. However Id urge you to check this explanation before taking it as gospel.

assuming your gantry is being driven by 1 stepper either side, each stepper direct driving a cog running on the rack.. Il assume that one turn of the cog, will move the gantry about 1" or say 25mm. Im unsure of exactly why, and this is the basis of my argument, so Il hold my hand up if im wrong, but although the stepper drivers allow you to go to a crazy resolution (ie say 3200 steps per revolution) its not wise to be running in this setup. Ive always been advised to set them to something like 800 steps per rev. This maybe because all my machines have always ran direct off parallel port and I see you have a smooth stepper.

so, assuming one revolution of your drive cog, moves 25mm along the rack. that means, when your setting up mach and you have to tell it your steps per mm your figure is going to be

800 / 25mm = 32 steps per mm

essentially, the greater you can make the steps per unit, the greater the resolution of the machine... but of course, lower top speed etc


hence my comment, I would expect to see that pinion cog being driven by a belt. and the the belt changing the ratio of the drive from 1:1 to something like 12:1

just bear this in mind, its not necessary a show stopper.

Love the pictures though... keep them coming

matt

Skiprat
10-08-2015, 08:24 PM
Been looking in my draws and i have loads of bearings, cogs even belt driven spares. I could build some of my own reducing plates but very amateurish on the cad cam side of things yet. Unless someone has the dxf, swg files for me to use or pay for, it might be good for me to buy some premade.

I have looked all over for rack and pinion drive plates but most seem to be in the USA, does anyone know where to buy any reducing motor cog plate "thingies", in the uk as i am not sure of the right wording for them?

If i can buy some and get my machine working, then i think it gives you more incentive to build other things and probably more accurate as well.

Cheers Tommy.

This is what i am sort of looking for.

http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15869&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15870&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15871&stc=1

Skiprat
10-08-2015, 08:27 PM
Thanks for that Matt

I think i get your idea and will do some looking in my shed for the relevant bits and bobs and see what i have.

Cheers Tommy

D.C.
10-08-2015, 08:42 PM
For the gears & belt, http://www.beltingonline.com/ comes up a lot on this site as a good supplier.
For the adjustable plate, figure out what you need and post an RFQ, I'm sure someone will be willing to make some for you.

kingcreaky
10-08-2015, 10:15 PM
Thanks for that Matt

I think i get your idea and will do some looking in my shed for the relevant bits and bobs and see what i have.

Cheers Tommy

feel like ive pi$$ed on your fire now chap, sorry.

if your anything like me, you wont want to wait around getting plates cut for you...

if it were me, id buy some toothed pulleys from the place suggested above, or bearingstation or something.

get something like this say 10mm

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-12-15-20mm-Aluminium-Alloy-Flanged-Pillow-Block-Self-Aligning-Ball-Bearings-/331565767117?var=&hash=item4d32dc19cd

get some round silver steel for a shaft...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silver-Steel-Round-Bar-Rod-2mm-2-5mm-3mm-4mm-5mm-6mm-7mm-8mm-9mm-10mm-/271206017403?var=570157990012&hash=item3f2523697b

put your pinion cog on one side of the shaft

and a big ass belt pulley on the other.
http://www.bearingstation.co.uk/Products/Pulleys/HTD_Pulleys/HTD_Pulley_5mm/725M25PB


then drive the big pulley via another smaller pulley oo your stepper?
http://www.bearingstation.co.uk/Products/Pulleys/HTD_Pulleys/HTD_Pulley_5mm/125M25PB

get me?

Skiprat
11-08-2015, 09:49 AM
No way Kingcreaky far from it....should of asked these questions ages ago.

I am going to put the new bar in on the y axis so its all coming apart anyway....

I have loads of bearings so should hopefully be able to throw something up unless i stumble across some plates.

Once the machine is up and running correct, i intend to make some new bits for it to improve its appearance / accuracy if you know what i mean. I have also been looking at a load of other threads and google pages and have got a load more improvements in mind, whether they are an improvement or not will be seen.

Keep the thoughts coming please.

Cheers Tommy

Boyan Silyavski
11-08-2015, 10:05 AM
But at the end the assembly will cost exactly the same as bought in USA.

kingcreaky
14-08-2015, 07:57 AM
any update on this skiprat?

Skiprat
14-08-2015, 09:41 AM
Ive cut the square tube and it needs drilling and painting but away at the moment and not back till sunday so probablies next week for an update.....once y axispart i should be able to make somw makeshift reduction parts to allow the machine to cut out its own "permanent" ones.

Cheers Tommy

Skiprat
14-08-2015, 09:42 AM
Ive cut the square tube and it needs drilling and painting but away at the moment and not back till sunday so probablies next week for an update.....once the y axis is apart i should be able to make some makeshift reduction parts to allow the machine to cut out its own "permanent" ones.

Cheers Tommy

Skiprat
31-08-2015, 11:53 AM
Well been away to London but now i am back and cut painted and in process of adding new length into "y" axis...bought a few bits and bobs and am in process of making up reduction gear mechanism.
Then looking on eBay i came across a virtually unused 6040 cnc machine so i bid on it and won...so hopefully can use that machine to make bits for my big machine.

http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15970&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15971&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15972&stc=1

Skiprat
31-08-2015, 12:03 PM
Here is the 6040 cnc machine i won. I know all about the crap boards and drivers, but up to now i have had no problems.
I nearly sold all my loose cnc machine parts but never got around to it and fortunately i do have new good bobs and driver boards in that box so these will be kept for what i have been told will be an inevitable change out. Probably will change them out anyway as the general cnc community reckons the difference is phenomenal..

http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15973&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15974&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15975&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15976&stc=1http://www.mycncuk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15977&stc=1

Skiprat
21-10-2015, 10:46 PM
well im back...been using small cnc to learn on and have made loads of prototype gearboxes for my big cnc....got a load of 3ft x 6ft acrylic sheets to practice on and have been trying out all my crap skills on cncing them. Im over the moon what i have learnt and can relay that into my big cnc. Once photos transfer over...i will post them.
One of my driver boards blew up so had to wait for a new one (bloody £120) hence the long wait for updates.
Cheers Skiprat

kingcreaky
22-10-2015, 09:07 AM
well im back...been using small cnc to learn on and have made loads of prototype gearboxes for my big cnc....got a load of 3ft x 6ft acrylic sheets to practice on and have been trying out all my crap skills on cncing them. Im over the moon what i have learnt and can relay that into my big cnc. Once photos transfer over...i will post them.
One of my driver boards blew up so had to wait for a new one (bloody £120) hence the long wait for updates.
Cheers Skiprat

Glad your still alive skiprat. Very interested in this build, keep the updates coming. I like your style :D

Matt

Skiprat
22-10-2015, 05:10 PM
Well ive made a few acrylic plates for the pinion gears and ordered bearings etc. designed them myself and cut out on my little cnc machine. so after setting new machine up creating the files to cut and transferring them over including zeroing out the machine etc etc i feel quite self taught which is good as i now can go straight into the running of my big cnc machine.

acquired the frame for the water table but purchased the slats to go into it from a steel suppliers so need to start that build soon, but hopefully be able to use the cnc for "work" after this weekend.

Following photos are up to date barring a few still in phone. I do have a few videos but i think i need other resources to show them.

The x axis was a bit sticky but i have managed to suss that out and now every linear stage is smooth running.

Gearboxes work well and now i have to acquire or buy some metal to cut them out of to create a more secure stronger system.

All in all ive built, learnt and a very happy chappy, lets see what the weekend holds for me, hopefully loads of beer and smiles.

Cheers Skiprat

Skiprat
22-10-2015, 05:11 PM
163411634216343

Skiprat
22-10-2015, 05:13 PM
More pictures

163441634516346

JAZZCNC
22-10-2015, 06:40 PM
One of my driver boards blew up so had to wait for a new one (bloody £120) hence the long wait for updates.

Ouch.!!. . . Thats a silly amount for one drive. You should have mentioned on here because could have got you 3 much better drives for not much more.!!

Anyway nice to see your enjoying CNC good fun isn't it.

Skiprat
22-10-2015, 07:50 PM
The drives i have are for a closed loop hybrid stepper and ive looked everywhere for them and the price is about the same....cheaper from asia but rather pay extra from the uk.

Think i broke it from my inexperience with motor tuning so ive learnt to be extra careful in that department...

Its an HBS86 superseeded by the EBS86 i think. mine was with postage and packaging but if anyone knows of them cheaper, then im interested for future reference...hopefully not though..

Cheers Skiprat

JAZZCNC
22-10-2015, 08:28 PM
The drives i have are for a closed loop hybrid stepper and ive looked everywhere for them and the price is about the same....cheaper from asia but rather pay extra from the uk.

Think i broke it from my inexperience with motor tuning so ive learnt to be extra careful in that department...

Ok I see I was going on the cheap drives in the picture but your correct they can be got cheaper from asia. Also I can tell you it won't have broke thru incorrect motor tuning and at worst you would just stall the motors which won't hurt them. In correctly wired yes tuning No.

Often the drives will give some indication thru flashing fault lights. If it just died then it could be due to Voltage spikes or maybe poor or loose motor wires, often the drives will have an internal fuse you can change. Or could have just been a Friday afternoon job when built.??

Skiprat
22-10-2015, 11:27 PM
funny enough i was playing with machine for a few months before my small cnc came available and the lights kept flashing overload....the only way to reset was to switch off the supply and back on...being a cold shed and sudden changes in state for the drive..i assumed the voltage spikes...i work in the electrical industry so should of known that..my own mistake...took drive apart and it looks like a wired resistor blew so might play with that at a later date..hopefully resurrect it...the pictures show the 6040 cnc i won on ebay and the drives which up to now have been faultless, but i do have a selection of new drives available if these fail as predicted on most forums...
The motors were pre wired on my kitchen table before the move into cold shed so i do believe you are correct in the voltage spike syndrome...friday afternoon im too busy on the beer to but have been known to play in my shed under the influence...:emmersed::barbershop_quartet_:worked_ till_5am:
But as you said cnc is to much fun to be easy...love the stuff.
Cheers Skiprat

Skiprat
22-10-2015, 11:31 PM
1634716348

Skiprat
22-10-2015, 11:46 PM
Some other pictures

1634916350

JAZZCNC
23-10-2015, 12:02 AM
Whats the small gear under the large gear doing.?

Skiprat
23-10-2015, 07:54 AM
The small gear is just the center of the large gear. The gears were ripped out of a motor rotor type box which fortunately i have 3 of. The small one if removed leaves a bore of approx 12mm in the big gear so instead of machining a shaft, i just left the little gear in which has the same bore of 8mm, which is the same as the shaft, other gears in picture and the bearings i bought. Now i know it works, i can find or buy some aluminium plate and cut some permanent fixtures.

Basically the small gear is doing nothing but being the right size bore for the big gear but cost nothing since i already had them.

Might buy some other gears as one unit because the way ive designed it, i can move the plate to accommodate different size gears.

Cheers Skiprat

kingcreaky
23-10-2015, 02:42 PM
Basically the small gear is doing nothing but being the right size bore for the big gear but cost nothing since i already had them.t



like your style.

Skiprat
25-10-2015, 03:34 PM
The following photos might explain better if my explanation was'nt clear.

163611636216363

Skiprat
09-12-2015, 11:11 PM
well here is an update very well over due.
Built all the gearboxes and they worked great but i ended up with a square sided circle.
Research recommended doing some stiffening of the axis, which i did but to no avail.
I then got hold of an industrial gearbox for the stepper but it was so low geared it was not right....i.e the stepper was turning as it highest rated speed and the moment was so slow it wasn't good.
So off to drawing board and loads more research and i acquired some aluminium plate and ordered a full set of T5 16mm pulleys and belts to make a new solid style gear reducer of approx 3.2:1.
The difference was unbelievable to the stiffness of the axis. I still get a square circle but haven't completed the other 2 reducers, so at the moment i have a T5 pulley system on the x axis but geared reducers on the y axis o i think this needs eliminating first.
I have a Closed loop stepper system so wonder if this has implications with the software side.

It seems as though the x axis is stopping before reversing but the y axis is still moving , hence the straight bit.

Any thought appreciated.

Cheers Skiprat.

Pictures to follow in no particular order...(Too lazy to organise.)

Skiprat
09-12-2015, 11:14 PM
167461674716748

Skiprat
09-12-2015, 11:15 PM
Aluminium parts in the process..

167491675016751167521675316754167551675616757

Skiprat
09-12-2015, 11:17 PM
The horrible stupid looking circle that wont go away...YET..The square seems ok but circle always has flat spot easily seen in photo to the right....BUGGER

16758

Skiprat
09-02-2016, 06:48 PM
Update from last post....i done some research on the flat circle and basically it was either slack or tightness in the axis. On looking and testing machine i knew it couldn't be the slackness as the machine is built like a small tank at the moment. Basically the x axis could be pushed with your little finger but the y axis had to be pushed hard with your whole hand.
Stripped the y axis off the machine reset it etc etc but still a load of crap.
Found the x axis was smooth and by the time the y axis had enough torque to reverse, the axis was stationary for a small time whilst the x axis was still moving hence the straight line.
Put my hand in my deep pocket and decided to get rid of the drylin rails and replace them with some hiwin rails.

Completely stripped the axis down again and fortunately the holes lined up and replaced the rails. Remade the z axis plates which were bolted to 4 Hiwin carriages.

175631756417565

Finished off making the aluminium plates for the motors and bolted these to the rails .......

Test cut revealed i still had a flat spot so i was well P**** off.....loads of money but no fix....

1756617567175681756917570

Further testing and found the large aluminium T5 pulley was a second(ish) behind the smaller pulley on the motor. Stripped it down and found the grub screws loose....tightened the up, put machine together and tested....

WEEHHHHHEEEEEEEEE

Perfect circles and squares...Well worth the money.

Now i can start making the machine look more cosmetically pleasing as now i know it cuts perfect.

Well pleased. Updates to come.

Skiprat

Skiprat
09-02-2016, 06:49 PM
Circle and square...1757117572

Boyan Silyavski
10-02-2016, 08:03 PM
Great! Glad that it makes circles now.

It was my mistake on first machine also. Now i fix all screws and shafts with Locktite and where necessary with stronger Locktite cement.

Skiprat
10-02-2016, 10:49 PM
Thanks for that Boyan.

When i get back into shed to make it look nicer, i will cement the grub screws in as you mentioned.

Hopefully never have to replace the pulleys.

Cheers Tommy

Skiprat
29-11-2016, 10:42 PM
Well im back... a few pictures to show....most of them just basically the same but machine up and running now.

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Skiprat
29-11-2016, 10:46 PM
The build was slowed down with my holidays, a new Kitchen and bathroom install and also a drill bit getting stuck in my finger and taking out the nerve which had to be operated on. 4 weeks off work wasnt bad though...:smug: Had a tidy up and created a few files to drill the spoil board to do wood engraving.

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Skiprat
29-11-2016, 10:51 PM
Gave the machine a clean up and started to cut....Also bought myself a Hypertherm 45 but that has been sitting next door since march and hasnt even been opened except to check contents.

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Also had to buy 3 new driver boxes as there was a slight wiring mishap but i have also been able to repair the 3 and use them as spares.

Skiprat
29-11-2016, 10:59 PM
The spoil board is 28mm MDF cut in half and put on top off itself so the picture show it at 4ft x 4ft. The holes were plugged with 6mm threaded inserts which will be used to hold down the material to be cut. The whole lot will be fixed to the orange metal as seen in photo so as to be able to be leveled up as needed.
Once i get the Hypertherm up and running, the board will be removed to expose the water table (yet to be built). The material for the water table is underneath the MDF ready for welding.

There is still a few teething problems which i will update or change as they rear their heads. But i will be putting a few photos on to get some feed back for the connection of the Hypertherm to my THC and also to wire the VFD up to be remote controlled from Mach 3.
Hopefully gets some help from the forum....
Many thanks
Tommy

Skiprat
29-11-2016, 11:24 PM
Here is a video of it operating.....its the first one ive uploaded and i have rotated it but it still came out sideways.

Need to do some research into video editing / uploaded if anyone has any ideas please?

https://youtu.be/MgE1dAob4Fg

Skiprat
29-11-2016, 11:28 PM
And another one.

https://youtu.be/maGSxdrnzsM

Tommy

njhussey
30-11-2016, 03:13 PM
......The holes were plugged with 6mm threaded inserts which will be used to hold down the material to be cut.

Machine is looking good! Don't try to tighten whatever you're clamping down too tight, the inserts pull out of the MDF really easily or distort the bed round them so it's no longer flat!!

Skiprat
04-12-2016, 08:02 PM
Here is a picture of the real first job...

njhussey.....same thoughts as you but upto now the bolt holes held the piece no problems but that might be because its a new piece of mdf.
Not sure after a lot of spilt coffee etc....

Light not too good but its visible.

19784

Cheers Tommy