Giant 20' x 3' x 2' router build

**charlieuk** · 08-10-2014

Well after a lot of fine tuning it's all levelled up and the main part of the build complete just the final wiring to be done this weekend and we should have some movement. I ended up adding some extra plates to aid setting it up and stiffening and also bolted it to the wall which made a huge difference

one thing I am still looking for are the caps to fill the bolt holes on the rails if anyone knows we're to get them or what I could use.

Many thanks

**charlieuk** · 08-10-2014

I have also got a full length switch to use as the e stop so you can grab it were ever you are along the length.

**gavztheouch** · 09-10-2014

Very neat, looks great.

**charlieuk** · 09-10-2014

I'm looking for some advise on we're to put all the electrics. My work space is generally quite dusty so I obviously need to protect against that. I also have the issue that all the cables will be fairly long by the time they make it any where. It's aprox 5meters from the centre of the machine and start of cable Chain to the spindle or about 8 if you take the cables to one end of the table. I have a metal cupboard I have been wondering about utilising to house some of the stuff to protect from dust but just not to sure how far I need to go with it, do I need a clean air source from out side? I was thinking of having the actual computer in a separate room to avoid dust but not sure if this would be practical? If any one can give any suggestions that would be great as I'm sure there is more to it than first meets the eye and as it's my first machine I'm not sure how closely things need to be together. Many thanks

**gavztheouch** · 09-10-2014

You prob want a cabinet similersomething like this.

http://www.rittal.com/uk-en/product/...ductID=PRO0023

Most proffesional cnc machines will have a fan to cool with a filter to stop the majourity of crap getting inside. I guess you might have some long running times so you might want to add some sort of fan on your stepper drivers or at least bolt them to a heatsink or something. If you really want to push the boat out you could bolt them to a hunk of aluminium and water cool the block. My thermwood machine has a airconditioning unit attached to cool the insides of the cabinet.

**charlieuk** · 09-10-2014

any suggestions to what sort of filters to use, i guess it will need to be fairly large to prevent the chances of it geting blocked up to quickly? how about the vfd? originally i had it mounted to the gantry but then realised it was probably better some were else. Is it something i need access to the hole time so needs to be some were accessible and if so then how would i protect that from dust all so? put it in a separate box?

cheers

**JAZZCNC** · 09-10-2014

Big Steel box with 2 fans pulling air in thru good paper filters and one pulling it out. Filters like this. http://www.apc.com/products/family/?id=414

Car air filters also make good filters but you'll need to make an housing similair to whats in the picture. Which is easy made from thin ali sheet if you have a working machine and a good little test.