To make the milling attachment work, I added a milling table which is from an old Incra jig right angle fixture.
To mount it to the milling attachment, I just added a solid block of 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" aluminum to both clamp it into the attachment and also to provide a backing for the extrusion.
Next, I will also make a vise and then a tooling plate for attaching other things like my rotary table.
In other news, I got a large bag of 8mm hex head cap screws for mounting 608 bearings. Of course I forgot to order some washers but that is life. I will pick a few up at the hardware store while I wait for an order of them to come from online.
I keep rethinking my bearing rail ideas and am considering going to a steel tubing rather than the aluminum angle for the bearings to run on. I just hate the idea of running the hardened steel bearings on something as soft as aluminum. It would be easy to make but I don't want to have to keep adjusting and replacing rails. I could go with a steel angle but it leaves me with the same problems and none of the advantages of using the aluminum rails.
I also got a shipping notification for my grblShield for my Arduino. If you are not familiar with it, it is a 3 axis controller board that attaches to an Arduino microcontroller. I have a parallel port breakout and stepper controller but I really want to try running it from the Arduino instead of the host computer. It is a trade off but I think it really is a better way to go. I can use my parallel breakout on a CNC lathe I have at work to play with and have all the electronics for another system using the arduino and 4 easy stepper drivers. My ultimate goal is to get to the point of being able to do 4 and 5 axis routing but I am going to build the first machine to use to make further experiments.
I have a very similar idea for CNC machine as Yours: http://www.hightechdiy.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=83
ReplyDeleteHi Ragnar,
ReplyDeleteGlad you came by. I just checked out your sketches. I see we are going to similar ideas in some ways.
That forum is new to me. It has a lot for me to go through. Thanks.
How far along are you? Just planning, gathering components, or already building?
I also follow this forum http://www.buildyourtools.com/forums/index.php
ReplyDeletethe first one grew out of this one. Nice advanced ideas and basic stuff also.
Currently Im at planning stadium. I have looked up a place where to buy steppers and drivers (Zapp automation) and still searching for cheapest way for linear system eg. chain or belt or RP. Actually RP and belt for my configuration would have a similar price tag, but im still searching place where to get chain and sprocets. Last specialist store where i went to ask pricelist, the guy rolled his eyes and offered me belt instead - chain would wear more in high dust environment - but at first as You I would like to go with the cheapest solution.
I don't know where you are but even with shipping, the electronics from China are cheap. If I were going to depend on my machine for a living, I would get something nicer but for experimentation, I am happy.
ReplyDeleteI understand about the eye rolling "expert." Everywhere you talk about CNC is filled with experts that are certain of everything with no data except what they heard or read somewhere. All drive systems have problems and advantages.
The best bargain I have found was chain. I picked up a 100 foot roll (about 30 meters) for $60 US. surpluscenter.com
Im from Estonia. Do You have any suggestions for where to order from china.
ReplyDeleteI ordered from chengfang2134 on ebay and was happy with the transaction. He was very prompt and professional.The motors I bought were only 1NM but that was what I was looking for. I bought a 4 axis kit.
ReplyDeleteI will likely use only part of the kit on my first project because I am going to try out an Arduino for the controller. If it doesn't work well, I will have the parallel port controller to use as a backup plan.