Well, sorry for not keeping things up to date. New semester at work and not much progress to talk about doesn't make for that interesting of posts. I will see about posting pictures later but for now, I will have to just tell you what I have done lately.
The most interesting thing I have done towards my CNC router is fabricating the lead screw for the z-axis. I picked up some 1/2-10 Acme rod for the screw. I made two of them for practice. Then, I turned down and threaded one end for for bearings and the other for the motor coupling. After spending a lot of time looking at anti-backlash solutions, I decided to make my own. They are actually pretty low tech and easy to make. I should be receiving my tap in a few days I figured I would go ahead and buy one since I will be experimenting and I would need enough of them to justify the purchase. I have some UHMW-PE, Delrin, and Aluminum to work with. I have not decided which I will try first.
I have figured out the final arrangement of the drive for the x-axis and am debating for the gantry. I have chain and I have enough acme rod. I see advantages both ways. Most likely, I will go with the chain on the y-axis as well just to make it easier to calibrate having the same mechanism.
I have also been spending time working with manual machines to figure more out on how I want to have things work. Whenever I have some spare time and materials, I have been making more tooling for my machines. Most recently, I got some stock roughed out for some more tool holders for quick change tool post on my lathe and starting to design a dividing head for my mill. Hopefully the weather will change soon so I can spend more time in the garage working on things. When it is over 100F, I really don't feel like spending too much time out there.
