Aluminium CNC log.

[Jonathan]

Looks good, except for one thing. You have put the rails for the Z-axis on the Y carriage. It's much stronger if you have the bearing blocks for the Z-axis on that carriage (in addition to the bearings for Y). I mentioned it in post #23 and #60. Although having said that with the way you've orientated it it wont make too much difference.

If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost to get those bits cut?

Also, What kind of wiring do I need? This will be used for my Steppers, Spindle to VFD, and generally all the wiring.

Erm, post #53. Same wire for steppers and spindle to VFD.

[jcb121]

Looks good, except for one thing. You have put the rails for the Z-axis on the Y carriage. It's much stronger if you have the bearing blocks for the Z-axis on that carriage (in addition to the bearings for Y). I mentioned it in post #23 and #60. Although having said that with the way you've orientated it it wont make too much difference.

If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost to get those bits cut?



Erm, post #53. Same wire for steppers and spindle to VFD.

Cost around £325 for the Aluminium and to get it cut perfectly, there are cheaper places but I was inpatient.

Mounting the rails behind the spindle plate in my Eyes isn't correct.
I don't know why it would be stronger and on our scale machines it may make no difference at all but I just prefer it that way.



I know this drawing is unfair but I'm provin a point here.

Also, Once apon a time, my college used to be the place people went for engineering apprentiships, While all the CNCs and most of the lathes are gone now. I managed to find about 40 brand new end mill bits in the sizes 6mm and 4mm. These fit perfectly into my Spindle and my tutors said i could have them :)

And I'm going to buy a reel of single core wire between 1mm^2 and just use it for everything. I would go multicore for the steppers and drivers but I don't need a reel of it costing nearly £100 from Farnell and don't know where else to get cable.

[Jonathan]

Mounting the rails behind the spindle plate in my Eyes isn't correct.
I don't know why it would be stronger and on our scale machines it may make no difference at all but I just prefer it that way.



I know this drawing is unfair but I'm provin a point here.

The scale doesn't mean it makes no difference, just a little less. With profile rails it would make a lot less difference as they are so much more rigid. Unless the Z-axis travel is very short it will make a difference.
The reason why is most people start by mounting them like this:

So clearly there there is a large overhang = weak.

However you've mounted it like this:



Which is better than the previous, as at the bottom of the travel (where you'll use it most for thin materials i.e. cutting aluminium for which it is the most rigid). However further up you're relying on er... the spindle for rigidity instead of with the configuration I suggest the aluminium plate and rails.

EDIT: Actually the second diagram is just the same as the first except instead of using aluminium plate to hold the spindle you're relying on the strength of the spindle itself.

Chip did it like in the first drawing and unfortunately found out the hard way when he tried to cut aluminium. I started by drawing the same on my Z-axis (400mm travel), but fortunately someone pointed it out so I changed it.

[Jonathan]

Cost around £325 for the Aluminium and to get it cut perfectly, there are cheaper places but I was inpatient.

Rather you than me...I'd have cut it for less on my router but it would have taken longer.

And I'm going to buy a reel of single core wire between 1mm^2 and just use it for everything. I would go multicore for the steppers and drivers but I don't need a reel of it costing nearly £100 from Farnell and don't know where else to get cable.

What length do you need for all the motors and the VFD to spindle?

[JAZZCNC]

And I'm going to buy a reel of single core wire between 1mm^2 and just use it for everything. I would go multicore for the steppers and drivers but I don't need a reel of it costing nearly £100 from Farnell and don't know where else to get cable.

Here you go http://www.csecables.com/control-cab...trol-cable.asp buy just what you need.

Edit: Better link http://www.csecables.com/acatalog/Fl...rol-Cable.html

Mounting the rails behind the spindle plate in my Eyes isn't correct.

Well you need to go to Spec savers then. .:lol: . . Look closer and you'll figure out why.!! . . . It's quite obvious if you think about levers and lever length's.:question:

The rails mounted on the front plate make a big difference when it come to reducing chatter.!

[Jonathan]

Here you go http://www.csecables.com/control-cab...trol-cable.asp buy just what you need.

Edit: Better link http://www.csecables.com/acatalog/Fl...rol-Cable.html

I just thought 'it's gone down in price since I bought the 100m reel', then I tried pretending to buy 10m of 1.5mm^2 and they want £9.50+vat for postage...extortionate!! That makes it £2.21 per meter for 10m.

Let me know how much you need as I'm happy to sell some of mine.

[m.marino]

What Steepers are you using? Shielded CY or SY wire is my best suggestion, as it really helps with reducing signal noise along the wiring.

Michael

[Jonathan]

What Steepers are you using?

3 Nm, Nema 24 according to post #46 (well, the picture).

Since it's quite a small machine the cable length wont be too great, so 1mm^2 should be fine. Same is fine for the VFD-spindle.

[motoxy]

Jonathan. quite often good courier deals on ebay. Not been let down yet.

[jcb121]

So, Even though I have steppers, I'm going to upgrade them to something a bit more powerful. 4.2Amp Steppers

But, How do I power this? I could get a 600watt power supply or I could get a transformer from Farnell and risk blowing myself up.

Just wondering the best way to power it, I'm guessing a few of you guys have them.

so how have you guys done it?