Comments sought on new build: A CNC Router for RC Gliders and Planes

[EddyCurrent]

New development on my build is that my work has just bought my router off me (well kit of parts so far) as they want to have one for cutting Delrin rings and other bits...I'll have use of it whenever I want (as well as the lathe and milling machine) so a bit of a win win situation for me as I can use this as a learning curve for building my own (probably larger one) later. Plus I'll be able to build this one in works time now legitimately

Congratulations, great result.

[njhussey]

Congratulations, great result.

Cheers...got some more epoxy and some MDF for the weirs so just have to find some time to get the rest of the epoxy off the rails (its coming off really easily luckily) but there's other works stuff taking priority at the moment.

[njhussey]

Not done anything on this since the last update but have been specifying a Nema34 and 240V driver for the router along with the pulleys etc needed. Just bought for work an Axminster horizontal band saw http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster...utting-bandsaw which seems to work OK.



Gradually adding tools for making all sorts of stuff. I've got my small ARC welder and Pillar drill at work too so getting quite a nice little workshop together. only thing that would be better was if it was at my house instead of work but I do have access any time I like.

[EddyCurrent]

Gradually adding tools for making all sorts of stuff.

Tool collector or tool user ? that's the question.

[njhussey]

Tool collector or tool user ? that's the question.

Using them for work... making spacer rings for some of our products, making jigs and fixtures for pressing in and out bearings etc.



Soon hope to be using them on the router (and mill conversion) but it keeps getting put back as more and more "one offs" keep coming in that I need to modify/make....not complaining as I'm being paid to play with the tools which makes a change from sitting at a desk all day long!!

[Jonathan]

That's the same saw as I have - they've just changed the colour scheme. Once I got the blade adjusted properly (i.e. not prone to fall off at awkward moments) it cuts well - nice and square.

Have you bought the motor & pulleys already? If not then did you calculate the required system or take an educated guess? If you post the parameters (mass of axis, length and diameter of ballscrews, desired feedrate etc) then I can verify...

[njhussey]

That's the same saw as I have - they've just changed the colour scheme. Once I got the blade adjusted properly (i.e. not prone to fall off at awkward moments) it cuts well - nice and square.

Have you bought the motor & pulleys already? If not then did you calculate the required system or take an educated guess? If you post the parameters (mass of axis, length and diameter of ballscrews, desired feedrate etc) then I can verify...

Hi Janathan, I've only done a couple of small test cuts on some 25mm rod to test it worked...will be checking the blade and giving everything a once over before it's used in earnest.

I'll have to dig out the drawing of the gantry (estimated) to work out the mass, ballscrews are 1610's length is 1300mm, feedrate I've not calculated (or did but can't find the calculations on the spread sheet) but it will be cuttng balsa wood, plastic and aluminium.

[Jonathan]

I'll have to dig out the drawing of the gantry (estimated) to work out the mass, ballscrews are 1610's length is 1300mm, feedrate I've not calculated (or did but can't find the calculations on the spread sheet) but it will be cuttng balsa wood, plastic and aluminium.

Just to be clear that's two ballscrews at 1300mm long, not one? By feedrate I meant what feedrate do you want, not expect, so for cutting those materials I'd say around 8-10m/min would be suitable. The mass doesn't have to be that accurate - within 10% is plenty good enough.

[njhussey]

Just to be clear that's two ballscrews at 1300mm long, not one? By feedrate I meant what feedrate do you want, not expect, so for cutting those materials I'd say around 8-10m/min would be suitable. The mass doesn't have to be that accurate - within 10% is plenty good enough.

Yes twin ballscrews 1300mm long! Going to drive it with one Nema 34 8.7Nm stepper (or 4.5 if I can get away with it) and a 2M2280N High voltage digital microstepping driver and a long belt 55kg weight springs to mind but I'm at work and the details are on my laptop at home.