AndyUK's Build - 1.2x1.0m Gantry

[AndyUK]

Time for the Sunday night update!

Electronics have been relocated to their cabinet - everything in there is wired up and done (... I think...). I'm waiting on a couple more bits for the gland plate which are delaying things somewhat (I can't really solder the connectors on until the gland plate has all the right holes in). Thinking a 300mm deep cabinet may have been slightly overkill, but initially I was very concerned about how far the VFD was sticking out.

I've also sorted out the water coolant tank - rather a nice skip find! I've put my water pump in that bottle, just needs wiring up and re-sealing.



Next up - the home/limit switches. I've 3D printed holders for them, and mounted two of the three X switches. I plan to silicon that hole to prevent the cable rubbing with vibration once I'm happy with their locations.



And last but not least, I've been working on keeping the wiring on the machine tidy. I 3D printed a set of clips to route the wires from the X Right side across to the wall side of the machine, and plan to use this technique all around. This is one of the clip prototypes:



And here they are in action:



In order from bottom to top, this is the Motor wire, then the water cooling for the motor, then two limit switches. Quite fond of these :)

In other news, I've managed to find some cable chain for Z and Y from another skip, and will order the X axis cable chain tomorrow. You might also spot that I've added in the holder for the Y axis cable chain.

I'm having trouble finding some U section perspex to act as a finger guard on the X right hand side over the ballscrew - if anyone knows a company or person that might be able to help with a custom extrusion or who can bend this, it would be ace. I'd really like to keep it transparent, but keep little fingers out...