Newbie new build

[Desertboy]

Cad models aren't so bad, you can download dxf's from KJN aluminium if using aluminium profile, Hiwin cad models are available from their website make sure you get the right model (It's the carriages you have to watch mostly) I never cad the ballscrews out I just did the maths using the datasheets but you could cad them if needed the thread is irrelevant. I certainly never picked up a pair of verneirs during my build lol

The information you need on the ballscrews are on the datasheets for BK12/BF12 and dsg16 if using 16mm ballscrews.

Further to what clive said about 15mm being harder to mount you need spacers see below.



also greasing 15mm rails is also a PITA.

If you have trouble finding cad models grabcad is good but I always grab the models directly from manufacturer or reseller if I can as accuracy is important.

Lots of people makes their frames from welded steel box section and then use epoxy resin to level the box section where you fit the linear slides. Steel is a lot cheaper than aluminium extrusion, it's also popular to mix steel everything with an aluminium extrusion gantry which is my plan for my next build.

There's £600+ in aluminium and fittings in my router if I'd paid retail for it and I have 120cm * 70cm travel. You could certainly do something in steel a lot cheaper than that and of course it's stronger.


Accuracy with a steel a frame is nowhere as important as you think depending on how you fit the hiwin's the most important thing is they are level and parallel to each other. I'm going to weld mine together myself but have the steel cut by someone else (Who will be super accurate and square) to make things easier then you need a level working space and so decent magnetic clamps should be fine.

This is a quick mockup I did in fusion 360 for my next router, see how I'm planning to mix steel with extrusion. The cost of those 2 pieces of 9090 extrusion is £240 alone! My design is a nightmare because I want the Hiwin's sideways on so the frame does have to be very accurate and epoxy levelling for the Hiwin's will be difficult as I'll have to turn the router 90° to level each side. Mount the Hiwin's on top and you can don't need the frame to nearly as accurate.



That's not a ballscrew it's a cylinder I extruded with BK fitting's I downloaded the important bit is the DSG ballnut housing as this is your mounting point.

Prices add up quickly I've spent over £80 just on T nuts to fit the Hiwin's to the extrusion and M4, M5, M6, M8 & M12 bolts. If you use corners it becomes even more expensive.