Surface Plate Tech.
Been working on using surface plate technology to save money and machining costs.This relates to the Y carriage and Z plate.Typically aluminum plate is used for this purpose.One sq/ft 1" 6061 is $212.00 and the weight is 14lbs and thickness tolerance bad.
I propose to use A36 hot rolled steel channel,C12X25 which is 12" wide and 3" legs,3/8 thick weighing in at 25lbs/ft.The cost per ft is $39.00.The thickness tolerance is very bad also.
Place the channel web down and use tape as a dam.Pour table top epoxy and let cure.Now the backside is perfectly level.Next turn over and tape the ends of the channel as a dam,level and pour epoxy.Now we have two precision surfaces to mount rails and blocks and ballscrew support bearings.Repeat the process for the Z plate.Any comments?
Larry
L GALILEO THE EPOXY SURFACE PLATE IS FLAT