CNC Router V1.0 (For Cutting Multiple Materials)

[JoeHarris]

Too many idlers drop try to keep to a minimum you'll get away with just one. Belt will be above the profile but doesn't matter because you'll want to cover it up anyway.

Jazz, is there enough engagement on the top right pulley? What's the minimum? you could add one more like this?? I

[Jonathan]

Jazz, is there enough engagement on the top right pulley? What's the minimum? you could add one more like this?? I

The spec. for HTD belts say make sure to have 5 teeth engaged. This is based on ensuring that with a sufficiently high load, the belt will snap instead of the teeth ripping off. This hardly matters to us, as we're not using the belts at close to their load ratings, however we do want to get good stiffness from the belts (especially with such a long best) so it seems a reasonable baseline to design for at least 5 teeth engaged.

[biketrialsdave]

Thanks for the info. With a 20T pulley I should have around 5 teeth engaged with what looks like a quarter of the pulley.

On a side note, I am currently looking at my bed plate design. I have put in a recessed hole to insert a standard kitchen sink waste hole. Is this OK or is there a preferred method? Also wondering if to move it to the corner and tilt the machine towards it...

[biketrialsdave]

I've made some big progress over the past few weeks. Hopefully some photo's to come once a parcel arrives this week! :)

In the mean time, I'm starting to think about CAM software. I've looked at BobCad and CAMBAM. Not looking to spend an awful lot (for now). What would be everyone's recommendations for an easy to use package that will give me a good introduction to CAM?

[cropwell]

You could have a look at Estlcam, the demo is free, and if you like it, it is only 50 Euros or so to licence it. It has a lot of features and I have just done my first job with it. There are video tutorials on t'Interweb. There are some aspects I don't like - I found it easier to start again from the dxf file if I messed up a toolpath (rather than deleting the toolpath - which seemed impossible) Maybe I will get better at using it, but if I find foibles which need to be sorted, I will address them with the author (Christian Knuell). In my correspondance about licensing, he seems happy to help.

Cheers,

Rob

[Clive S]

I've made some big progress over the past few weeks. Hopefully some photo's to come once a parcel arrives this week! :)

In the mean time, I'm starting to think about CAM software. I've looked at BobCad and CAMBAM. Not looking to spend an awful lot (for now). What would be everyone's recommendations for an easy to use package that will give me a good introduction to CAM?

Fusion 360 has been banded abut on the forum recently it is a cad and cam package and I believe free for a year and then you only have to register for hobby use.

[biketrialsdave]

Fusion 360 has been banded abut on the forum recently it is a cad and cam package and I believe free for a year and then you only have to register for hobby use.

Ooh this looks very interesting!

http://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview

[njhussey]

I've got CamBam and EstlCam and both have their merits for me. If you've already drawn your object as a dxf and it's only simple machining then EstlCam is great as you don't have to join all the different lines that make up your shape. If you want to just draw something simple and then do the CAM on it then CamBam is good. I don't do anything complicated so can't comment for 3D shapes but for simple things (parts for RC planes, plastic thrust bearings, simple plastic parts etc.) both programs are easy to use and good.

[biketrialsdave]

I've not posted for a while but a lot has happened!

* I've received all the custom aluminium parts
* Ordered stepper motors and AM882's
* Ordered all ballscrews and linear rail for z-axis

Just need to make some more money before I can continue the spending! I'll put some photo's up soon...