welding steel base or just getting aluminium extrusion

**reefy86** · 07-12-2017

ive tried looking mate but cant find any

**m_c** · 07-12-2017

The key to welding something well, is preparation.
All bits have to be a good fit before welding, it's then a case of tacking, and alternating where you weld to balance out any twisting.

Something you really have to appreciate, is just how much weld beads will shrink/pull when cooled, which is why you want a good fit, and do alternate welds to balance any pulling.

Alternatively, you could just bolt it all together, however you run the risk of knocking it out of square.

**reefy86** · 07-12-2017

well after watching a lot of youtube video's i am starting to come up with a method and feel a little better however after getting the materials and all necessary equipment/tools then its still going to cost me £1k+ anyway but i suppose i learn a new skill trade in the process.

**reefy86** · 07-12-2017

anything wrong with this frame and is the diagonal supports ott? i will be adding adjustable feet on aswell

cheers

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**EddyCurrent** · 08-12-2017

Originally Posted by reefy86

anything wrong with this frame and is the diagonal supports ott? i will be adding adjustable feet on aswell

cheers

You forgot diagonals when looking in the plan view, see here what I mean; http://www.mycncuk.com/threads/6565-...2425#post52425

**reefy86** · 08-12-2017

Originally Posted by EddyCurrent

You forgot diagonals when looking in the plan vew, see here what I mean; http://www.mycncuk.com/threads/6565-...2425#post52425

Thanks eddy ill add these in :)

**reefy86** · 09-12-2017

if only you could get the steel this clean lol, anyways i know i did this all before but ive done a few tweaks but i am a little concerned with the gantry side plates being so wide and because the aluminium gantry beam is pushed to the back it leaves a large space on the flange plates. this is because i was reading about not having the z axis over hanging and to have the gantry side plates in front of the z axis.

I have gone with 100x100x5mm all round for the frame
all plates are 20mm thick aluminium
linear rails 25mm
ballscrews r2010 driven on both sides with nema 23's 4nm and a rotating ball nut due to long 3000mm ballscrews

still thinking for the rest but whats your thoughts?