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21-08-2015 #21
Okay, allow me to state it again:
Using unsupported shaft in this machine will be a waste of money and effort!
Building this thing in steel allows it to be a good performer, using unsupported shafts will allow flex, making the results no better then the same thing built of plywood.
Then two general remarks on the design:
1: It seems to me that you will not be able to assemble this thing, as the nuts will be falling out all the time.
2: If you add tabs+rectangular holes here and there to position parts, you can probably glue the thing together, if you choose the right kind of epoxy.
If not using epoxy you can still use an occasional spot weld to fix a tab in its hole.
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21-08-2015 #22
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23-08-2015 #23
Thanks ! I apreciate the compliment :D !
I know, I have the same feeling, but I made sure that all parts were assigned non allied steel... so.. I don't really know what to think :/ Only the shafts are set to allied stainless steel.
What do you mean ? I know what a rubber hammer is (at least I believe so ^^), but do you think that'll be enough to straighten it ?
Actually, the spacing between the nut and the part is .1mm on each side. The reason for that is that I want to compensate cutting accuracy, plus tolerance for bolts (I've checked a sample and they're not always the exact same diameter, weirdly).
I do ! Good old tape ! That will hold the nut while inserting the bolt :)
I hear you :) Look at the end of this post for an answer ;)
Thanks a lot !
True, it does matter for me, but as you said, I can always buy over length and then re-cut to fit my needs.
That sounds like a good idea. I'll think about it, but I am worried about the moment my SBR blocks will roll on that junction... that might cause a cut "hick up", couldn't it ?
Who said shafts were unsupported ? They're supported every 220mm. Go ahead and try to bind/bend a 220mm long 20mm thick plain stainless steel shaft. Yeah, probably with a 200kg Z axis, still... As currently designed, the Z will probably not exceed 15kg. Add cutting forces, let's say you go up to 40kgs (and I'm being generous ^^), considering the Z is supported in 4 points on 2 shafts, I honestly don't think binding will be an issue. But go to the end of this post for a proper answer on that :)
The solution is to assembly it smartly. Actually, two solutions exist: 1. use tape to hold the nuts in place while inserting the bolts. 2. assemble parts in an order that will allow nuts to fall on the ground instead of inside a closed space.
I like that advice very much :) I see this as a big Mechano (if you guys know that toy brand). What kind of epoxy are you thinking about ?
Good idea if laser/plasma cutting. Water jet cutting might be a solution.
General answer for the four main concerns:
1. Shafts aren't the way to go, they're bad, bad, extremely bad, up to the point that you'd be willing to whip me if I use them :D
People, I hear you ! But plear hear me too :) I know most of you like the HWIN rails / blocks, and I know for a fact that they are far better than SBR/TBR blocks with round rails. However, my original idea was to integrate the supports in the design, and I don't want to change it. BUT, I am going to compromise with you all: I will keep the integrated shaft supports, go with shafts and SBR blocks (I have already bought them a month ago, plus I'm interested to see how it turns out). HOWEVER, I will add to the model holes for HWIN rails and blocks. IF shafts turn out to be a bad decision or if I'm just not happy with the result, I will cut off the supports, buy the HWIN rails / blocks and just mount them on like nothing happened. I think that will make you all happy ! This is not a waste of money since I've already bought the SBR blocks, and shafts will be and additional cost of $50. This way, I git it a shot, and if it works, it's a $600 minimum savings for me. Otherwise, it's a $0 loss as I will happily sell those blocks to someone here on the forum, and if no one wants them I will keep them for whichever exotic project I decide to work on :)
Now, considering this, can anyone tell me what size HWIN rails/blocks I would need for this machine, so I can get a quote from my favorite AliExpress seller Kevin Ho ?
2. Nuts will fall when assembling.
Tape will hold them from falling.
3. Welding shafts on the supports will make them bind.
Sure, I trust your experience. I will ask the welder shop to make a test with two fake supports and one short shaft. We will then measure the binding. However, I think that you're worrying too much on this. Binding will happen if the shaft gets too hot, which can be avoided by doing very short runs (few seconds long). If all else fails, I will get the shafts and parts drilled and tapped by a profesionnal turner and let him mount them. And if that doesn't work, I'll go with option 2 proposed in point 1 (cut off supports and go with HWIN).
4. Plasma cutting and laser cutting will cause parts to move / bind / shrink, in other words change and cause misalignment.
Sure. I contacted the cutter on Friday and they said they're going to use a water jet cutter. I asked about accuracy and they said they can go up to .01mm accuracy. I also asked about cut straightness, because I've heard that water jet cutting looses accuracy on the bottom of the cut. For example, if you want to cut a 10x10mm square out of 10mm steel, the machine will cut 10.01mm x 10.01mm on top but 10.02 x 10.02 on the bottom. The cutter I called said that it is true but that effect can be overcome if you sonfigure the machine correctly. When cutting the parts, they (and I'll be there to check !) will do some test cuts until they have the right setup.
Alright, so here are my takes on what you guys have said in the past few days. Modeling is going great, gantry is almost done. I've had to stop modeling for two days because I traveled a bit :) Renders of the model will come soon :)
I am very thankful to all of you that are commenting the design and giving advice ! I surely will read you, and try to find the best (function and cost wise) solutions to the issues you raise.
Cheers from a warm sunny Belgium !Last edited by eurikain; 24-08-2015 at 04:33 PM.
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23-08-2015 #24
Why not just tap the holes?!!
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23-08-2015 #25
If money is a concern on this - how are you affording waterjet/ laser cutting of parts?! I would trade this for better rails and bearings...
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23-08-2015 #26
Which one ?
I know, sounds like a crazy idea ^^. Laser cutting won't be so expensive as I have industrial prices because I am working with a contact of mine that works for a company that make thousands of orders at the cutting shop. But I do agree with you.. I honestly don't know if the effort I put into modeling this thing would be worth the money gained on welding, but I think so.
When you say "trade this for rails and bearings", are you suggesting to use weldments instead of nuts and bolts ?
EDIT: for your information, I just asked for a HIWIN 20 quote from my AliExpress seller. We'll see what comes out.Last edited by eurikain; 23-08-2015 at 06:47 PM.
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23-08-2015 #27
All of the holes where you have the flat-pack IKEA type fixings - why not take the stronger and more conventional engineering approach of tapping? Personally I would invest some time in learning to weld as the cost of hundreds of fasteners will be excessive?
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23-08-2015 #28
Hi !
I actually already know how to weld, and have access to a free welders shop, but I haven't learned enough I think... But I would still need to get the parts laser cut, though I would not need such a tight tolerance, right ?
PS: rail length needs to be 2400mm. I doubt anyone will ship those lengths to me :s When working with HIWIN rails, can you combine shorter rails to make one ?Last edited by eurikain; 23-08-2015 at 08:17 PM.
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23-08-2015 #29
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23-08-2015 #30
Thanks ! BTW, bolts and nuts won't be such a cost worry ! I have them at bulk price from a company I know that makes railway supports. They have millions of bolts of all sizes in their stock :D
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