Small scratch build 3 axiz CNC

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Hi all,

I will document my first CNC build here. I started this to learn about CAD, CAM and CNC carving. I am not in a hurry and it can take a while between the updates.
The parts used is mainly from the scrap yard and cheap Chinese electronics.

Machine goal: A small machine that is able to cut small aluminum parts.

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Frame:
Mostly build of 80x80 heavy extruded aluminum rods. The linear bearings are mounted so that they are able to be adjusted in order to make things straight.


Electronics:
Motors: Used BoR NEMA 34 steppers, Flange size 86mm
Stepper controller: Wantai 80V 7A
Breakoutboard: Cheap serial port card
Computer: Old DELL with printer port
Powersupply: 80V scrapyard trafo (10-12A) with a small 24V built in. (edited)


Spindle:
None yet

Ball screws:
None Yet

[routercnc]

Looking good so far. You could use the machine to make reinforcement plates to brace the gantry (assume you don't have milling machine etc) as that profile is not as stiff as steel and it looks like you are using simple fasteners to hold it all together.

Once you get the weight of the y and z axis fitted and the spindle give the gantry a thump with a soft hammer and you will feel it vibrate. just something to think about as you progress.

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Thank you,

I plan to make 10mm aluminum plates on the sides to fasten the Xmotor and make it more rigid. I have some friends that are building another kind of machine and I can use the same side plates they are ordering from the vendor. A plate behind the X is also under consideration.

Then I plan to reinforce the Y rods with a pair of brackets. Hopefully it will be firm enough.
The bolts are ordinary M8 and M5 for the linear bearings. But there is allot of them.

Next up is to choose what kind of ball screw Im going to use. Ill try the hammer

Looking good so far. You could use the machine to make reinforcement plates to brace the gantry (assume you don't have milling machine etc) as that profile is not as stiff as steel and it looks like you are using simple fasteners to hold it all together.

Once you get the weight of the y and z axis fitted and the spindle give the gantry a thump with a soft hammer and you will feel it vibrate. just something to think about as you progress.

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I have started to plan how to measure and adjust the axis and I think I am able to get it fairly straight after a lot of adjustments. The frame is about 0.05 to 0.1 mm off before any adjusting. It might be different when I have all parts on the frame and tighten every thing up.

The linear bearing had a little banana shape so I straightened the first one up by clamping it to a straight surface and tightened it so it is real straight. The other side I plan to fasten after the wagon is mounted so that it will follow the one I straightened. That was a strange sentence, I'm sorry for my English..

I have also ordered three ebay 16mm diameter ball screws with bearings. Now the fun part begins

[GEOFFREY]

That looks nice and tidy. Don't worry about your English, it is pretty good and I am sure that is a thousand times better than most forum members Swedish. G.

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I've got a slotted Y axis (you call it X I think?) It looks like this from the back...

Nice picture Neil. That looks robust enough with nice machined parts. I might able to do a similar solution. Thank you.
Yes my X seems to be your Y. I'm stuck in the split axis world. But I don't really understand why gauntries call that axis Y :)