Comments sought on new build: A CNC Router for RC Gliders and Planes

[Jonathan]

What's special about the Z-axis ballnut mount that causes you to need a custom one?

The PSUs you've got for the spindle sound good. Do you have a source for them for a reasonable price?

[njhussey]

What's special about the Z-axis ballnut mount that causes you to need a custom one?

These are what I've drawn...

I wanted them low profile to cut down on the machining required, i.e. so I don't have to get the Z axis plates machined for clearance and so I can get the rails nearer together which I know is not ideal but as I'm mostly going to be machining balsa, ply and carbon fibre will be fine!

[Wobblycogs]

They look very similar to these (which I'm planning to buy): Aliexpress.com Ball Nut Housing.

If anything I'd say they are lower profile than the one you've drawn up. The bottom bolt holes are in slightly different places but I'd be surprised if that was critical.

[njhussey]

They look very similar to these (which I'm planning to buy): Aliexpress.com Ball Nut Housing.

If anything I'd say they are lower profile than the one you've drawn up. The bottom bolt holes are in slightly different places but I'd be surprised if that was critical.

I've asked for a price for 4 off (I can't see anything apart from a 3 off listing) so will see what they, well the 1610 ones, come back with as they look exactly what I'm after!

Just received some spiral flute taps from China so once I've welded up the frame (should have all the parts cut by the end of today as I did all the 50x50x4 box this morning and just have the 50x25 bed supports and bracing angles to cut at lunch!) and got some Ali cut for the gantry I can start drilling and tapping to my hearts content

Edit.....yep all steel for the router frame (not support frame) is now cut. Welding starts tomorrow

[njhussey]

Managed to spend 1/2hr in the works at lunch tacking the frame up, well most of the time was spent clearing the bench and putting it back after anyhooo....result is below:

Tomorrow I'll add in the rest of the cross members and if I've got time (I doubt it in the 1/2hr I have available) the braces

[njhussey]

Todays tacking up....

When putting the first angle brace on an upright I found out that in my haste to cut them I set the angle to 40° not 45°
I would really like a couple of hours in one stint to go at it, I could then get it all tacked up and squared up ready for welding properly.

[firetrappe]

That's looking really nice so far Neil. Not bad for a couple of 30min lunch breaks!

Slightly off topic, but I found a video that I thought you might like. A neat way of cutting FR4 or CF without the nasty hazardous dust : CNC Fräsen GFK Ruderhörner - YouTube (make sure you watch the last 30 secs for neat bit of automation).

Si.

[Jonathan]

Looks like that's for a RM1605 ballnut, but your mounting holes for the nut don't match? The RM1605 holes are on 45 degree spacing and they're 5.5mm diameter holes so you'll struggle to get M6 through them!

[JAZZCNC]

Looks like that's for a RM1605 ballnut, but your mounting holes for the nut don't match? The RM1605 holes are on 45 degree spacing and they're 5.5mm diameter holes so you'll struggle to get M6 through them!

And this is why I always insist the measurements on the drawings are taken from actual parts rather than Spec sheets taken from the Net.!!
So easy to assume they will be like the drawings only for something completely different to turn up.!! . . . .Thou in this case I reckon it's an Err has most ballnuts of this size use 45 Deg spacing & M5 bolts.?

[njhussey]

Was wondering what to do with the left over steel I've got so had a play at lunchtime with Sketchup...