Big Brands Downsizing to 3m x 2m build

[BigBrand]

Quickly skipping through trying not to bore you too much We built the machine back up and sorted some of the glaring issues.

Encoders were hanging off the layers of stacked mdf so fabricated some new mounts in metal. A new controller was needed. We put all new wiring throughout and tidied it into an electrical cabinet. Shortly after getting it running the spindle died so I had to buy a new spindle and vfd for it.











After a year of use and learning the ropes I have discovered the limitations of the machine. The old DC servos are very slow. Im lucky to cut between 1-2m per min and rapid at 4. I dare say the drives could tune up a bit better however i doubt there is much more performance to be found.

Despite the machine being very heavy made from big sections the sheer size of it is causing its own problems. The 3 main rails that run front to back that hold the bed up are bowed like a banana. Also I think the construction is causing a nasty vibration on certain movements which is showing in the cut finish.

At this point i think its the best call to cut our losses with this machine and build a new chassis of a better compact size. New motors are a must. I also like the look of the UCNC software.

The current machine is blessed with a lot of thick walled steel section. Plus the gantry including the end plates etc seems very solid. My plan was to use what i can off the old machine and rebirth it on a new chassis with steel reclaimed off the machine reusing the gantry at a chopped down length plus some other bits like the carriage.