Here's an assortment of info related to the design and the build of my CNC machine. The pictures should be in roughly chronological order.
The video to the left shows the machine in its current state. The next addition will be a dust control system, as it is now I have to stop every once in a while and wipe off dust that builds up on the bearing surfaces.
This was the initial design, the idea was to use a combination of aluminum extrusion and MDF for the structure. Didn't end up using this configuration because the difference in build time/cost compared to just using extrusion was minimal and the extrusion is much stiffer and gives a cleaner look.
Here are some renders of the final design, spent several weeks playing around with different configurations and looking at what other people have done.
80/20 Inc. has a pretty sweet tool for calculating the extrusion deflection. This screen grab shows that a 3"x3"x10-1/8" piece of extrusions given an unspported point load of 2000lb's will flex ~.02", the stuff is very stiff. The linear bearings would fail long before the gantry flex's very much.
Decided to go with the G540 controler from GeckoDrive. I've been very happy with it thus far the only draw back is that it needs cooling, the website says that it can be used without. Found this not to be the case, to prevent the drive from overheating and missing steps I had to add cooling fans. No big deal its a good idea anyway.
Ordered all of the electronics first, besides the G540 I'm using 387 oz-in motors and power supply from Keling Technology, Inc.
Recieved the linear bearing and drive parts from cncrouterparts. Most of the thrust bearings and fasteners came from Mcmaster.
Here is the partially complete rolling assembly. Got the 1/4" steel plate from speedy metals. The only challenge with the assembly was drilling the holes in the steel plate. Looking back I should have sent the steel out to a machine shop to have the holes drilled, everything came together but a ton of adjusting was required in the end.
Got the rolling assembly complete.
And here's the first run
Cutting out a calender, this was before lights or a permenant bed were installed in the enclosure. Kinda hard to see whats going on..