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I have started my cnc build and will start a build log soon.
I am in the steel work fase :-)
For leveling i want to use the epoxy solution.
I have troubles sourcing Westsystem 105 / 209 where i live (NL).
Now i found this epoxy :
https://www.carbonwinkel.nl/nl/attac...attachment=812
will it do?
viscosity +/- 1000
hardness 12mpa
12 hr potlife
48hr curing time
price seems nice too
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Looks like it would be ok but I'm saying that with a huge caveat as I've no experience of it. I also used a different epoxy to the West systems one (Reactive Resins SYNTAC EPAFD with the SYNAMIN 200 series hardener) and that was fine.
:-) on its way :-)
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I have passed from the same stage some month ago. I also couldnt have the west system slow hardener here in Greece so i had to deal with another resign.
The only thing i would like to mention is that the data sheet of your epoxy says 15 hours pot life but it doesnt says at what temperature and and what amount of resign.
It is very possible that this resign will do the job, but the data sheet doesnt give me the impression that we are talking about a quality product.
oh that is cool "not a quality product" ... my confidence just dropt to the floor :-)
i will report back with result so we all know
any special testing to do after curing?!
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I wish you good luck with your try. Don’t hurry. Double check the dome
Here we go, this is the resin i bought.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...18825888f6.jpg
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What I can say is give the epoxy enough time to set 7-10 days is good. If you can make a test moat as well when it is cured the epoxy should snap ie brittle and not bend like plastic. If you see air bubbles in the serfave after you have poured the epoxy flashing a blowtorch flame quickly over it they will disappear.Quote:
Originally Posted by driftspin
Make sure that you have sealed the moat so as not to have any leaks.
I found it useful to run a small bead of epoxy around the edge of the moat to seal it (just used a small disposable brush) and let it cure (doesn't have to be really hard - a few hours is probably enough). This seals the unavoidable gaps as the epoxy will run through the tiniest hole and once it has started to run, it will continue and you cannot stop it. That initial bead does not have enough pressure behind it to go right through but will set in the gap instead. I used this the second time I poured epoxy - the leaks were one reason why I had to remove the first attempt and start again.
Thanks guys for your intrest in my project.
Ok i really have to start a build log.. but maybe make one later and keep that clean..
I guess starting a build log is ok after basic bed frame is done.. current progress state is clean up after welding.
I am not sure about epoxy leveling the bed before or after making the legs.
I would bold the legs to the floor, spirit level the bed , and then pour the epoxy on bed and x axis and 1 side of the gantry y axis. flip the gantry pour the other side.
Bed frame is 1850mm x 1160mm
z will be +/- 200mm depending on expoxy thickness on gantry
Box section is 80x80x4 and 120x80x4
so.. 1000mm x 1500mm x 200mm
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...72937f8930.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4173e8ca38.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...452a5b8116.jpg
I am not sure you are understanding the correct purpose of the epoxy. You have to epoxy both rails at the same time so that they end up on the same plain.Quote:
I am not sure about epoxy leveling the bed before or after making the legs.
I would bold the legs to the floor, spirit level the bed , and then pour the epoxy on bed and x axis and 1 side of the gantry y axis. flip the gantry pour the other side.
What do you mean by this:- then pour the epoxy on bed?
Hi Clive... the bed...x axis.. is uh... the shape in the picture...
Yes i will poor the both x axis beams at the same time.. and one side off the gantry...
let it cure. flip the gantry and pour the other side..
ill post the design in a minute..
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Attachment 21861
Attachment 21862
Ok this is the design...
The bed and raised X Axis is 1 solid welded up part (heavy, easy over 100Kg with no legs attached)
Did any of you put concrete in box section?
Heavy is good :-)
Legs and diagonals (50x50X4) are welded together, leg assembly will be a bolt on to the bed.
Should be plenty stiff.
I know a raised gantry is less rigid.
There will be reenforcing braces inside the raised box section of the gantry to
counter flexing forces in the Y directions, one disadvantage of a raised gantry...
The welding heat warped the boxsection a bit.
For what i can messure now, overall horizontal accuracy = +/- 1.5 mm (2Mtr Spirit level)
No flat surface to be found on any side of the box sections, no really, none of them....
Ok so the epoxy will be poured on all horizontal linear rail and bearingblock mounting surfaces (X and Y).
The aim is a +/- 60 mm wide epoxy mounting surface, for rail and bearingblocks
(80*120*4 box section has round corners 60 mm is about the max flat surface to be poured on)
2.5 liters epoxy will be more than enough.
Aiming for 5mm+ thickness.
I will mount a temporary leveling bridge (or maybe 2, More? X boxsection 1850mm long ) for the epoxy to flow between the 2 X rail mounting surfaces.
So now the X rail mounting surfaces will end up in the same horizontal plane.
The gantry will be poured simultanious, but upside down first (bearingblock X, and bottom Y rail, mounting surfaces)
I will also mount a temporary leveling bridge for the epoxy to flow between the X linearbearing mounting surfaces
After curing, the gantry will be flipped in normal position and placed in its natural position but no linear rail mounted.
Since gantry bottom X/Y surfaces are now in the same parallel horizontal plane,
it can be placed on the level X-rail mounting surface,
the top Y rail surface can now be poured in the same parallel horizontal plain.
I hope this discription is kinda readable...
Sorry for the English, i am not a native speaker...
Capillary action.
So did you guys experience capillary action on the channel walls off the poured on areas?
I have done a quick test to see what the epoxy is like.. viscosity wise its really ok on a hot day 25+ C like today.
A gust of wind made ripples in the surface @ 45 min.
@ 4 hours .. the fluid will still flow and close gaps when disturbed.
For my quick test i de-greased some flat metal and worked it partially with the angle grinder to get scaling of... I want to know difference in strenght...
I made some wobbly channel using adhesive glue/kit..
Now on all edges there is capillary action visible... about 5 to 8 mm wide.. in corners it is more.
so a square of 40mm X 40mm gives about 25x25 mm usable flat surface.
Any opinions?
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0332698075.jpg
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In a word yes! You can file it down but better to make it wider than you need in the first place.Quote:
Originally Posted by driftspin
Ok guys...Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeHarris
Results of the test pour are:
- Surface is orange skin like.
so no mirror finish.
- Plexiglas like properties.
- Simple seperation from scaled steel surface.
- Simple seperation from grinded steel surface.
So ... I need to be carefull when removing unwanted material.
Did any of you prime the steel with a coating to prevent easy seperation?
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Did you make sure that the surfaces were clean and free of any oil deposits. I have used the West system with no issues and the epoxy bonds well to the steel.Quote:
- Simple seperation from scaled steel surface.
- Simple seperation from grinded steel surface.
So ... I need to be carefull when removing unwanted material.
Did any of you prime the steel with a coating to prevent easy seperation?
I also used West System, ground back the surface a little and it was fine. Make sure you have the ratio correct and mix mix mix!Quote:
Originally Posted by Clive S
well made sure... degreased with brake cleaner.. wipedown and brake cleaner 2 times before grinding...Quote:
Originally Posted by Clive S
maybe use paint thinner or amonia or something else...
the test was done with 20gr resin + 8 gr hardner.... bigger volume will give me better resolution (1gr precision scale )
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To be honest I never tried it with such small quants just went straight for the big pour! But it worked fine.Quote:
Originally Posted by driftspin
http://www.mycncuk.com/threads/4513-...9752#post79752