Time to go vertical.!

[JAZZCNC]

Ok for a long time now I've had it in my mind to build a vertical CNC machine, either free standing or off the wall.!!. . . . . WHY.??

Well it occurred to me that seen has I mainly cut Aluminium and I clamp or screw every thing down to the bed, inc the waste material that it doesn’t really matter if the machine stands vertical, horizontal or even upside down on the ceiling (That was Jonathans crazy idea not mine.!)

It also occurred to me that the bennifits would be meny and the negatives few.!! . . Think about it for minute.!

Positives:
1: When cutting dry all the chips fall away from the cutter so virtually no re-cut giving much better finish with longer tool life.

2: Chips fall with gravity and collect in the bottom instead of being flung round the shop or having to be blown away again flying around the shop.

3: Easy to use coolant or air with low flow rate so less mess and spray plus it wash’s the chips and heat away quickly and neatly into a filter collection container at bottom of bed. Simply lift or slide filter tray out with chips on it when done. Could even have worm drive system into collection bin like the big boys do.!!

4: Easy access to all the bed area so easier to position material and less prone to cutting in just one area so wearing screws etc in that one spot. Also easier on my bad back because I’m not bet over machine.!!

5: Massive saving in workshop floor space, basicly taking the same space as a large wardrobe.

6: Easy to build full enclosure using simple frame with folding doors and 1 or 2 sides, less noise and mess contained. Again it's basicly a CNC machine in a wardrobe.!

Negatives: (or Negative.!)

1: Slightly more akward to hold material and clamp at same time.!! . . . Easy fix just use a temp slide to rest material against while clamping then slide away while cutting.!!

That’s the only negative I can find.!

Ever since I thought about it I’ve resisted the urge to whop off the legs of my machine and hang it off the wall. . BUT . .All the time it’s been like that bloody Precious ring from “Lord of the Rings” . . . . . calling me.!!! Anyway after over a year of resisting the sneaky bastard got me didn’t it. . .I cracked.!!

Well I didn't fully crack I more edged my bets and decided to test the water by simply unbolting my machine from floor, up ending and leaning at a 80deg angle against the wall. Whopped 2 raw bolts into wall just to hold it and give it a go.?

My original plan was to orientate it so the X Axis(twin screws) was horizontal meaning the heavy gantry would travel horizontal and the Y axis would move vertical against gravity. This would work best regards fighting gravity but it had other issues like mess falling onto bottom screw, harder to access bed, more work when chopped.
So after consultation with my partner in crime(mate) it was decided that just for test purposes it would be easiest to just stand in vertical position and try it.?
If it didn't work good then easy enough to position horizontal and try and if it didn't work like that then put it back on it's feet with nothing lost but several hours setting up.
It worked and it worked far far far better than even I expected. .:dance::dance:

I did several test's in Ali upto 3mm DOC which is the max I cut at with various cutters 6,10,12mm all done dry and the difference was amazing, all the chips just fell away, even on the horizontal cuts. Nice clean finish and lovely clean cutting sound with absolutly no re-cut.

Next I tried to find the limit but without causing too much stress. So I used a resin impregnated MDF thats very hard and abrasive, harder than most normal hard woods but not as hard as Ali. I did a 5mm deep single pass with a knackerd 6mm single flute cutter up the vertical so pulling gantry against gravity at 5mtr/min and it breezed thru. So did another at 10mm Doc 7mtr/min which is flatout on my machine. Again whistled straight thru at which my jaw dropped.

Anyway now I've proved to myself the concept works it's time to alter the frame and set up every thing up again, then build the enclosure frame etc.

Will post pics and vid when everythings as I'd like it. Just so chuffed and excited I just had to post. .