welding steel base or just getting aluminium extrusion

[reefy86]

no just 2 sets in between and the epoxy on the top is just a reference for the gauge indicator, one some videos people sit a magnetic block onto to linear bearing blocks and the have the gauge indicator touch against the aluminium extrusion all the way down the rail until its square but aluminium extrusion is not perfectly straight but with the epoxy resin being very flat and straight then i thought doing it this way may work.

[Nr1madman]

no just 2 sets in between and the epoxy on the top is just a reference for the gauge indicator, one some videos people sit a magnetic block onto to linear bearing blocks and the have the gauge indicator touch against the aluminium extrusion all the way down the rail until its square but aluminium extrusion is not perfectly straight but with the epoxy resin being very flat and straight then i thought doing it this way may work.

Now I get it, smart! ;)

I have been using a dti alot lately.. was so hung up on aligning my rails (went fine) that I more or less forgot/neglected the ballscrews, bearings and ballnut..

If you get a dti make sure it has a good holder (if its called that) with a strong magnetic base.
Mine is utter crap and its frustrating when you hand turn the ballscrew with everything mouted from one end almost to the next and the dial tip just moves off the reference. Not worth the 5-20 you save on a cheap holder :)

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[reefy86]

I have no idea what its called i just call it a gauge indicator lol.

[mekanik]

DTI Dial Test Indicator

[Nr1madman]

I have no idea what its called i just call it a gauge indicator lol.

Haha I ment the base or mount or whatever you call it.. make sure you get a good one!

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[reefy86]

Cheers mate, still need to brace the bed frame a little more at the bottom and brace the side gantry plates but would like some feedback if anyone thinks i will run into any problems. will be extending the bed by another meter at the bottom for a 4th axis, z height is 200mm but can also do up to 400mm by making the 4th axis centre in line with the bed so with the z axis boxed in do you think this is strong enough for what i wanted it for?

[Clive S]

I have to say this, are you serious about building this cad model !! for a first build !!. because this style of gantry is going to be very difficult unless you have a lot of experience and good tooling to make it. I would take a step back and think what you are taking on.

Please don't be offended.

[reefy86]

I have to say this, are you serious about building this cad model !! for a first build !!. because this style of gantry is going to be very difficult unless you have a lot of experience and good tooling to make it. I would take a step back and think what you are taking on.

Please don't be offended.

No worries Clive if i get offended by someone being honest that easy then there is no way i can succeed lol. it is a big job but this is not something i am expecting to put together easy so i am preparing my self as i go along, i Don't have the necessary equipment like alot of you guys do so this is where i am putting alot of money into having the aluminium plates machined for me from nice guys who have the equipment to do it which i have had a few nice people offer their services :). i have not seen anyone do this but i don't see why it wont work but using the epoxy resin method that i shown will help have the 4 rails all lined up as long as i make room for adjustments on the gantry side plates and bearing plates then it should help getting the gantry square easier. Also i know there is the sandwich problem when having the z axis like i have but the way i have done it is so the 2 front rails and the front z axis support plate doesn't have to be connected to the rest of the z axis yet as long as its still on the same level as the 2 back rails hence the epoxy idea. now as long as i make room for adjustments and as long as i am careful and everything is aligned and straight as i can get it i will be relying on the aluminium plate edges to be machined flat so i can use those edges to help square up the z rails. Pretty much its going to cost me a lot of money just for these extra ideas where as you guys would get it done next to nothing because you have the skills and the equipment to do it :)