Axminster RF40 - CNC and other modifications

[BASMOTRONIC]

Hi - Actually I'm in Paris as I write this - but for one day only ! The milling machine is located in a converted 20ft Shipping container in Abu Dhabi at the moment.
I have finished the project now - and it works well - I'll upload some photos on the thread. I modeled the column in Solidworks before I started - so if you have that software - then I can send you the files.

[BASMOTRONIC]

Here's an update on the completed project:

Machining the Z Axis Carriage - This is the part where the milling head mounts onto.

The completed carriage.

Trial assembly of the carriage onto the column with the stepper motor on top


Lifting the column onto the mill.

The completed column mounted on the mill - with the milling head installed.

I found that this installation is much more rigid than the round column. The stepper motor moves the milling head up and down smoothly using the ballscrew concealed inside the column (I was slightly worried that the motor would not be strong enough - but this works fine). I can now take bigger cuts at higher speed and with less vibration. It is so much easier to step drill a hole - because you can just keep raising the head as the drills get longer, with no fear of losing your position.

I will send some more photos later of the machine working in full 3 axis CNC mode.

[salloune]

amazing work! and I guess you didn't use a other milling machine to make the job?
I don't use solidwork, I use Catia, maybe you can send me a compatible file :)
The big difference between our machines is that in mine I can't rotate the head around the Y axe
but I really want to try such a modification. I'm also interested in converting to CNC.
thanks for sharing your work

[LooyvilleLarry]

First, thanks for doing this, it gives me some different views.
So, if I'm following, you completely discarded the round column, built a new square column, and mounted the head to that. Is that correct ?

What did you use for the main Z drive ? Guessing a pretty massive ballscrew..

[LooyvilleLarry]

Also, if you happen to know the dimensions, it would be greatly appreciated. I have been trying to figure out this issue for some time !