time to gather parts for new machine

**deannos** · 17-01-2012

Hi Mike,

I have been playing with sketchup and i can just about get a square on there at the moment. I'm in no real rush for a build as my work shop is basically out side. I'm thinking its best to start with the ballscrews and then design form those, i.e use the set lengths, or is that the wrong way

**MikeyC38** · 18-01-2012

Originally Posted by deannos

Hi Mike,

I have been playing with sketchup and i can just about get a square on there at the moment. I'm in no real rush for a build as my work shop is basically out side. I'm thinking its best to start with the ballscrews and then design form those, i.e use the set lengths, or is that the wrong way

Hi deano
This is what I ended up doing, as buying the ballscrews, ball nuts, bearings and couplings from Chai's standard offerings seemed the cheapest way. I had a rough idea of the cut area I wanted - had to cut guitar bodies and guitar necks which are approx 575 - 660mm long and then estimate how much is lost from the X and Yaxis due to the gantry.

The guys on this forum were great in advising on suppliers they had used with success and on material sizes. On my x axis (longest) they are 20mm dia supported round rail and 16mm dia rails on the other axes.

BTW I've started playing with Sketchup and found a great set of tutorials here http://sketchupforwoodworkers.com/

Regards
Mike

**motoxy** · 17-01-2012

Hi Deannos
Sketchup is great. This link will take you to a thread on cnczone of a guy that started from scratch and learnt sketch up. Worth a read.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-cn...ess_tools.html

For a true autocad clone then progecad smart (free) is very good indeed for cad design although only in 2d and rudimentary 3d. There is quite a learning curve for autocad but for simple work it is not to hard. This is the best clone I have seen for free.

Keep asking questions. I do and it is beginning to get me in the right direction. Stick with it here becauce these guys are the best.

Bruce

**deannos** · 17-01-2012

Originally Posted by motoxy

Hi Deannos
Sketchup is great. This link will take you to a thread on cnczone of a guy that started from scratch and learnt sketch up. Worth a read.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-cn...ess_tools.html

For a true autocad clone then progecad smart (free) is very good indeed for cad design although only in 2d and rudimentary 3d. There is quite a learning curve for autocad but for simple work it is not to hard. This is the best clone I have seen for free.

Keep asking questions. I do and it is beginning to get me in the right direction. Stick with it here becauce these guys are the best.

Bruce

Hi Bruce,

I was reading that very thread only this morning, a very good build considering it was built in his bedroom. I have just found some tutorials on sketchup, and it doesn't look to hard.

I managed to do the chair as they show it, so getting there.

Dean

**motoxy** · 17-01-2012

Thats fine, you will need a chair to sit and build your cnc.

If you are stuck and cannot find how to do anything on sketch up then just ask.
Sometimes its good to turn of perspective (in the camera menu) and then use the standard view and you will see it like a cad drawing.

On my last post redesign 5-1 is in non perspective.

bruce

**deannos** · 18-01-2012

Hi Mike,

I have been following a set of tutorials and seem to be getting the hang of it. Started on the Y gantry and now have the basic shape etc. But I'm wondering if there are minimum dimensions that should be adhered to. The width of the " z plate" and the Y gantry for example.

Dean

**JAZZCNC** · 18-01-2012

Originally Posted by deannos

Hi Mike,
But I'm wondering if there are minimum dimensions that should be adhered to. The width of the " z plate" and the Y gantry for example.

Dean

Dean regards dimensions Gantry width, Y Axis etc then you want to get the dimensions of the actual bearings your going to use, these will dictate the minium width.
Also if you are planning on using ballscrews the chances are you will use BK/BF bearing blocks to mount the screws, these along with rail/bearing width will dictate the Z axis minimum width.
If you look around on the net there will be 3D models of BK/BF Blocks, linear rail/bearings etc these make it easier and save some work.
Try to model it close to spec of parts to be used as possible, this becomes more important in areas where it gets tight like the Z axis. It's very easy to think it will fit then find out it doesn't by a few mm's.!!!

**MikeyC38** · 20-01-2012

Hi Dean

Sorry - I just saw your post. The advice Jazzcnc is given you is right. I had the parts to hand when doing by drawing so I could measure them and draw them reasonably accurately. I've put up a drawing of the latest Z axis design. Unfortunately I don't know what files the free version of SketchUp can import - the dwg and dxf exports from TurboCad 15 Platinum Pro are ok-ish. Surprisingly, the STEP format (Industry standard 3D format) is spot on and I can exchange drawings / objects with my cousin who uses CATIA at work!