Humble Beginnings - For Alu

[Husky]

Hello :)

I figured I best make a thread, it's good a place as any to start asking the myriad of questions and getting lots of criticism of my random ideas. This is going to be a bit of a living document (I'm going to change my mind when I feel like it ). You can click the pictures for bigger images.


Goal:

• To build a rig that can CNC aluminium designs

Must:

• Cut a 500mm x 500mm size (Ok, so I picked these sizes at random :P )
• Cut aluminium
• Cut with accuracy
• Cut with repeatability
• Take a beating

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Entry 1: (26 Feb 2013)
I have been working my way through the build threads and the huge amount of info that's around, trying to learn the basics. While I've been doing this I decided to kick off some CAD just to get back in the swing of it as it's been a few years since I last used it in anger. So I drew up some parts from data sheets as practice:

http://i.imgur.com/GImdHcxm.png

NEMA 34, 15mm Rails


And then I started doodling in CAD, I started with 30x30 mild steel box section with 3mm side wall, soon binned that deciding it wouldn't be strong enough.

I've got to here so far, it's using 50x50 mild steel box section with 5mm side wall.

• Bear in mind this is more of a concept than a design at the moment, but feel free to comment on it :)
• The idea is to have the screw in the channel between the rails.
• At the moment it looks like everything is welded, only because I haven't designed in any bolted joints yet, they will be there though.
• I am not a welder, nor do i frequently work with steel, so if it looks like I have drawn an impossible weld or cut, let me know.
• I made the bed 20mm Alu and there is another rail under it supporting.

Cheers,

Husky the noob

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Entry 2: (27th Feb 2013)

Ok, had a play with some more CAD :)

Deleted the side rails & related
Got rid of the aluminium bed
Added more bars for a new bed
changed the rails for slightly longer ones
Added bolted section to allow fine tuning of angles


Some pics:

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Entry 3: (3rd March 2013)

Shortened the rails.
Changed the bed from being welded to bolted, not quite finished yet.
Changed the angles from box section to plate.
Added bolted gantry cross beams
Added bolts to attach gantry to rails. Had to enlarge box section on top of sliders to 60mm, 5mm wall.







I need to get round to sorting the materials. I have the box section all set to mild steel, but all the fixings and rails are just set to a generic high strength steel.

Current weight of what's on the screen ~55kg

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Entry 4: (3rd March 2013)

Ok, drawings changed.

Added bolts etc
Changed gantry runners
Changed gantry sides