Dear Zeeflyboy,
I hope for a miracle by epoxy
First one needs a zero reference for horizontal level.
I think it was Boyan who explained on the forum he made a reference level surface for this on a concrete floor by pouring epoxy.
I will try this way.
I will spirit level and anker bolt my frame to the concrete floor before pourings so nothing can move and use the x poured epoxy rail mounting surface for this.
Pouring the rail mounting surface for X will be done like the example from a forum member see picture.
like the X axis the 4 mounting surfaces on the gantry will be epoxy levelled.
In 2 steps...
Step 1 I will do the 2 gantry X rail carriage mounting surfaces, and bottom Y rail mounting surface pouring, in 1 go. ( gantry upside down )
There will be an epoxy levelling bridge between the 2 carriage mounting surfaces
Similar to x rail pouring setup
So now those 3 surfaces will be in the same plain.
After curing..
Step 2 The gantry can now be flipped to normal position and top Y axis rail mounting surface can be poured..
Placing the gantry in the normal position on the mounting surface of the x rail should give the best possible reference for a level plain.
After pouring Y bottom and top should be in the same plain..
In theory
this should work.
I know this will be a critical process.
When this method fails i will redesign and have the gantry (rail) mounting surfaces milled. nothing much changes only a few pounds of steel added.
When milling is needed i will upgrade the gantry box section to 80x120x8 or 10 to have some meat to mill
I do want to avoid **bolting** the gantry sides to the gantry Y-axis.
I prefer welded solid for best rigidity.
But welding solid must be avoided going that route, because of warping.
I have no friends with a mill capable of box section 1200X120x80.
Would a surface grinder work for this purpose?
Any other thoughts?
Bookmarks