CNC Router V1.0 (For Cutting Multiple Materials)

[biketrialsdave]

Some progress. Am I going in the right direction? My only concern is I've had to mill a channel to allow the BF12 mount to not interfere with the plate holding the motor. Where the slot is the thickness of the plate is down to 10mm. However, its quite a narrow channel...

[JAZZCNC]

Split the difference by machining both sides like this.

[biketrialsdave]

I've been busy all this week so not had time to work on this. However, I've sneakily booked Monday off so I can get some more time on it! Instead of constantly asking questions, I've tried to think of all the main concerns I have at the moment. I would be very greatful if anyone can answer a few!


1. I need to work out how I am going to attach the extrusion (bed) to the aluminium tooling plate. I think I have two options: a) Either drill the tooling plate and insert bolts from the underside which screw into t-nuts in the extrusion. b) Or use aluminium corner brackets on the inside of the extrusion?


2. I think I need to assess how I am connecting the extruded pieces to eachother (for the bed frame). The X axis extrusion is actually comprised of a 45x45 piece and a 45x90 piece ontop of eachother. Unfortunately I cant seem to find a single 45x135 piece? At the moment they are only attached together by the steel end plates. Do I also need some internal corner brackets? I was also wondering if to add some plates bolted to the side of the 2 extrusion pieces?


3. How should I re-inforce the steel end plates? Would it be a case of simply increasing the plate thickness from 5mm? The end plates don't hold the ballscrew bearing houses (these are attached to the extrusion). The plates at the back of the machine do, however, hold the stepper motors.


4. Is it possible/recommended to add a vaccum to the z axis for swarf? Is this only to be used for wood? I am also going to add brackets for a coolant hose.


5. I need to consider draining the coolant. Could this simply be a hole cut into the tooling plate with a pipe which goes through the table beneath into a bucket? My only concern is I don't have a "fall" for the water.




Hopefully those all make sense!


Thanks again,


Dave

[JAZZCNC]

#1 Drill the Plate and screw from under side.

#2 Drill thru the upper extrusion and bolt into lower T-slots. Can add some Blocks into the slots to stop them sliding.

#3 If just bracing then 5mm steel will be just about ok, But personally I'd use 9.5(3/8")mm Aluminium so don't have hassle of painting etc plus steel on ali is not good mix.

#4 Can do it but it's difficult and not very effective unless high vacuum. Much better with Blown air and minimal Mist to clear/Lube chips.

#5 Simple holes at one end and angle the machine on bench using feet.

[biketrialsdave]

Hmm I may have to re-consider the steel then. The cost of getting all this aluminium machined is going to be a bit eye watering!

On a side note, what would you recommend as the minimum internal fillet radius? Or should I leave internal corners as right angles and assume it will be filleted to whatever when machined?

[biketrialsdave]

Not much progress with the machine at the moment... I've gone off on a tangent with designing an Ethernet motion controller for Mach 3 (don't ask how that happened!)

On a side note, I also have a job request up for yet another project I'm currently working on: http://www.mycncuk.com/threads/9328-...Parts-Required

[biketrialsdave]

Well the time has finally come... I THINK I'm finally finished!

I've decided to keep the steel end plates. I can get them cut for free (which is a big plus) and I'll paint them to help prevent bi-metallic corrosion.