[JCvdW]

The design of my first T-slot CNC router. Just received the laser cut parts. Expecting the rest of the machined parts next week. Cannot wait to start assembly! Comments welcome!

[RFB]

JCvdW,

Nice CAD drawings. I would suggest that you use a single motor in place of the two on what I assume to be Y axis. If one motor fails or looses steps then the surviving motor is going to put your framework in a potentially damaging bind.

RFB

[Tweakie]

Excellent, looks like you will be having fun and making great things with your new machine.

Tweakie.

[traxxxto]

Great design!. As RFB suggested, instead of two motors for the Y axis use only one, either in the center of the frame to equilibrate the force applied, or on one side the motor and put a belt to the other nut.

Sorry for my english.

[JCvdW]

Great design!. As RFB suggested, instead of two motors for the Y axis use only one, either in the center of the frame to equilibrate the force applied, or on one side the motor and put a belt to the other nut.

Thanks for the comments!

I took my idea for two stepper motors from a commercial German design: CNC Fräsmaschinen und Graviermaschinen, CNC fräsen für Profis und Hobby Fräse CNC Technik. I would appreciate feedback of experience with these machines...

[robe_uk]

I'd stick with two motors, loads of builds here using two with no problems and it will ensure no racking during normal operation, sure you can tied then will belts and pulleys if you wanted but i'd run it as is.
Loading forward to watching your build.

[JCvdW]

Just received the squared T-slot extrusions and rail supports from the machine shop. Attached some pictures of the first partial assembly to check that everything fits. Surprisingly rail alignment was spot on first time. The frame is solid and sturdy. Still waiting for motor mounts and ball nut blocks to arrive from machine shop.

[JCvdW]

Had to straighten one of the Chinese ball screws that was bent during shipping. Still have to deal with two small dents on the 20mm ball screws that got damaged during shipping. Have to decide on where to mount the limit switches and then re-assemble the whole machine will lock-tite on all the bolts. Should have it up and running within a week. Must also still design and build a proper base on wheels.

[JCvdW]

First time with all three axes being controlled by LinuxCnc. Fortunately no need to use the emergency stop (yet!). Disappointed that one of the Chinese flexible couplers have been drilled skew! Still have to connect limit switches and fire up the spindle. Finally ready to reassemble with thread lock on all the bolts and measure the accuracy and repeatability of the machine.

[JCvdW]

Chai from items in linearmotionbearings store on eBay! kindly offered to replace the skew flexible coupler free of charge!

First routing of a piece of foam - using the default demo g-code that comes with LinuxCnc. Very pleased with the result!

Now to find suitable CAM software and learn how to generate G-code. The aim is to do some 3d modeling of chess pieces.

[r00t4rd3d]

Now to find suitable CAM software and learn how to generate G-code.

Vectric makes some of the best CAM programs there is. In the downloads section you can get trials of their software. Try Cut3D and Cut2D and do the tutorials.


If you use irc, irc.freenode.net #linuxcnc is where a large group of us LinuxCNC users hang out.

[JCvdW]

Vectric makes some of the best CAM programs there is. In the downloads section you can get trials of their software. Try Cut3D and Cut2D and do the tutorials.

Thanks for the suggestion. I am also considering DeskProto. Their pricing for hobbyists is quite reasonable.

[JerryBurks]

...........I am also considering DeskProto............

Deskproto has excellent features and if you want to do rotary machining or use waterline path strategies there is not much else out there for a reasonable price.

However....it is a bit difficult to use, has a zillion parameters and even more opportunities to screw up. Complex surfaces may take a VERY long time to process. I use it when I have to but for most simple jobs I prefer Vectric Cut3D. I can get from a 3-D model to g-code in a fraction of the time compared to DeskProto.

[JCvdW]

I use it when I have to but for most simple jobs I prefer Vectric Cut3D.

Thanks for the good feedback. The picture shows a first attempt at a Blender model of a chess knight that I want to machine out of hard wood. Would Cut3D be suitable for something like this, or would I need Deskproto?

[Gr6Burns]

The aim is to do some 3d modeling of chess pieces.

[Ronal2dduff]

To machine this properly I believe a rotary axis would work best in continuous rotary mode.

[JCvdW]

First complete model of Chess Knight milled from MDF. Took about 3 hours to complete. First a rough cut with a 3mm Dremel bit, followed by a finishing cut with a 1.4mm bit. Quite satisfied with the result. A fourth axis will nicely take care of the region between the ears. Any feedback on the quality of the Chinese fourth axis units available on Ebay will be appreciated.

Also need to figure out feed and spindle speeds when cutting with real ball nose cutters in hard wood like Madagascar Ebony.

[JCvdW]

Just received my 4th axis drive and tail stock ordered from China. Seems solid and sturdy enough and should be perfect to cut the chess knight using indexed cutting with DeskProto, and also to cut the rest of the chess pieces. Should have it fully integrated by the end of the weekend.

[JCvdW]

Quite satisfying to use the CNC machine to accurately drill the mounting holes in the 8mm aluminum mounting plate for the 4th axis!

[JCvdW]

Attachment 189002