First time build - Steel Frame CNC Router

[examorph]

Hi all, this ones been on and off the back-burner too many times now but some progress had been made! Thanks again to Dean and Clive for helping me out with many things including the epoxy leveling and rail binding issues

So far, managed to do the leveling using West System Extra Slow cure epoxy:
Attachment 19428Attachment 19432

Got the aluminium cut:
Attachment 19429Attachment 19430

Z Axis assembled:
Attachment 19431

and some of the mechanical assembly done:
Attachment 19426Attachment 19427

Still got the X Axis ball-screws to sort out, some shimming to do on the Y-Axis screw and paint the frame. Will Hammerite be ok for painting the frame?

In the mean time, I guess its time to start looking into that witchcraft they call 'electrics'

[Clive S]

Nice to see it coming together keep up the good work. Let us know what you intend to buy before actually parting with hard earned dosh re the electrics. Don't forget to make adjustments in the motor mounts etc.

[JoeHarris]

Hi all, this ones been on and off the back-burner too many times now but some progress had been made! Thanks again to Dean and Clive for helping me out with many things including the epoxy leveling and rail binding issues

So far, managed to do the leveling using West System Extra Slow cure epoxy:
Attachment 19428Attachment 19432

Got the aluminium cut:
Attachment 19429Attachment 19430

Z Axis assembled:
Attachment 19431

and some of the mechanical assembly done:
Attachment 19426Attachment 19427

Still got the X Axis ball-screws to sort out, some shimming to do on the Y-Axis screw and paint the frame. Will Hammerite be ok for painting the frame?

In the mean time, I guess its time to start looking into that witchcraft they call 'electrics'

Looking good! I used Hammerite on mine - worked well.

[examorph]

Thanks Joe, did you just do the single coat or did you have to go over it a few times?

Also, thank you for all the info in your build log, it has been a great help for both me and I bet many other members on this forum! I look forward to seeing your electronics come together as I am planning on a very similar setup and your schematics have already answered many of my questions! Did you use AutoCAD for these?

[JoeHarris]

Thanks Joe, did you just do the single coat or did you have to go over it a few times?

Also, thank you for all the info in your build log, it has been a great help for both me and I bet many other members on this forum! I look forward to seeing your electronics come together as I am planning on a very similar setup and your schematics have already answered many of my questions! Did you use AutoCAD for these?

I think it needed two coats but I didn't bother taking the mill scale off - just went straight over the steel.

Be careful copying my schematic as it is yet to be proofed by the gurus!! I use Archicad...

[examorph]

After much hair pulling I think I have finally started getting my head around some of this electronics! Please could you guys cast your eyes over the attached schematic for me to ensure I don't see any of this rumored 'magic smoke' come from the electronics, or worse yet...my head?!

Most of its based on a circuit diagram Dean posted for another user a while back and connections based on various instruction manuals and confirmed against Joe's schematics. Some things I was unsure about were things like daisy chaining some of the wires (eg at the fuses/terminal blocks), if connecting shield wire earths in series on the limits was OK and if the alarm terminals on the drives only applied if using a safety relay?

Also, I know you recommended 6.1Nm NEMA 34 for the X axis but would I be OK going with the 8.7Nm instead as per Joe's build? As this would let me buy all motors from one supplier (CNC4YOU). Thanks.

Schematics

[examorph]

Forgot to mention, would the below enclosure setup be OK? I think I read somewhere that 600 x 900 was the typical recommended size for enclosure so will look for this, does anyone have any recommended suppliers please?
Schematics
Also, will this do for the drives: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-...2-5560f2d46d31
Or does anyone again have any alternative recommended supplier? Thanks!

[Lee Roberts]

Forgot to mention, would the below enclosure setup be OK? I think I read somewhere that 600 x 900 was the typical recommended size for enclosure so will look for this, does anyone have any recommended suppliers please?

That was probably from me, 6x9 isn't as common a size and so was more an approximation (and a typo), adequate airflow is important to me and I think should be considered by others, plus working in an enclosure should be a pleasure not a chore.

6x8x3 would meet the needs of most I think: http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/enclos...ng/enclosures/

Try and keep all power cables away from communication cables as best you can, use cable trunking to define 'zones' and then group components in each zone