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Tested the rapids on the Y axis - apparently 20 meters a minute was possible but started losing steps and stalling. 12 meters a minute ran like a charm, so in imperial it ran at 472 ipm. The final...

First movements on the machine - yay!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMKcDfxIMCM

Some picturses for you all

Things are moving along slowly. grr

Did you expect more? or less? I want to know why you find it interesting :)

ErikJGreen and Eldon - i have an update just for you. I did the unthinkable and stress relieved the frame and re-re-re-machined the surfaces(as it's the third time machining the surfaces). I read...

Things are moving along nicely - the frames are painted, base frame is painted, I'm starting the re-assembly on tuesday or wednesday and hope to have the machine axis working by the end of the week!...

More pictures - added some additional braces to the lathe base frame, made the chip pan/ coolant sump for the lathe. Do you think it would be a bad idea in addition to the computer and coolant...

Still working on the machine - no end in sight as it seems :). I'm making the frame and everything else, to prepare it for operation. The headstock situation is still troubling, but i'm sure I'll get...

A quick update video for you good people - do you think it's a bad idea to make the bed stationary and move the Y-axis to the top as well, just above the X-axis? how will the overhang affect it?

...

And here is the very long overdue video on the progress so far with some exciting footage at the end.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZQ6zY_Buco

Hey Epis, just noticed your reply. Sorry for the delay... I found that aligning the linear rails was actually pretty easy - but I took care to make sure the frame was prepared before machining and...

and some more

Hey Guys, a few more pictures for you all. it's coming along nicely and by the end of the week I should have it motorized. I still have to do the motor reduction/gear plates (and drill/tap about 50...

Thanks man - the pinion rack will be mounted using bolts, its going inbetween the two X-axis rails and will be mounted on the surface of the aluminium profile. Heres why i added the aluminium pieces:...

I'm back with a few updates - after moving with the workshop, waiting for linear rails and gear racks and other distractions I resumed work on the cnc router. Took about 8 hours to add some weld,...

Made an update video on the progress so far. Should be up and working next week, either thursday or friday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW0fv9UgeFE

A quick video and a few pictures aswell!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUz6i83pnms

I went for the 12 mm screws, since I already had them... Next time i'll certainly go for 16mm ones :).

I also checked your channel - thats a pretty sweet machine you got there :) I'm assuming you...

Sometimes it feels like I'm a masochist - after doing all the machining on the frame a few months ago, I decided to add some bracing and other pieces, so I could have stronger frame and had to...

Small update - made some changes and added a lot of metal to the base frame. Pictures below

Ugh - I changed the rails accidentally and forgot to change them back - they will not stick over the edge of the Z-axis mounting plate. 7500 RPM seems plenty enough for my application, no point in...

Hello people,

I am embarking on a quest to build a very small VMC (vertical machining center), that can handle my aluminium and plastics machining needs. Since I make very small parts and the...

Fijo,

absolutely inspirational build and very very well done! Love the video of the machine operation. What software did you use to control the machine?

More pictures - prepare your enthusiasm! I assembled the frame and linear rails and such and it seems to be very very strong. After most of the parts were on the frame, I could not lift the machine...

Very nice thread so far, keep us updated please :). Btw - what control software were you planning on using? Linuxcnc?

Clmenz - many good points and I'll try to answer them here:

1) I'll try to get access to the studies again, but I don't have a Solidworks licence so I have access at my local technical college...

Eldon, I have chosen not to stress relieve it, because I built it specifically in a way that I would not have to do it. Also, after welding, the frame has weathered for almost 6 months now (time...

Thanks man.

I am not planning on using an ATC on this machine (not initially at least).

I am planning on making it a gang-tool lathe (2 turning tools, 1-2 drill tools).

Alright, another update. As mentioned before, I decided to completely re-work the base frame to make sure I minimize the amount of deflection. I did some testing with the 3D model and the new version...