After 11hrs of work on the y-axis it's pretty much done except for the rack and pinion stuff.
After 11hrs of work on the y-axis it's pretty much done except for the rack and pinion stuff.
2 of 3: belt drive pinion assemblies now on and working on the rack for the y-axis.
The belt drive pinion assemblies are from cncrouterparts.com but they had to be modified to get the Nema 34 servo flanges to fit. I also went ahead and upgraded to the newest tension system and also the roller bearing pivot points. I also had to resize the servo pulley to fit the 14mm servo shaft.
Andrew
More progress on the y-axis. I got the rack mounted tonight and did some preliminary testing with servo tuning software.
Big servos are amazingly strong!
Andrew
Almost forgot. I did post a video on facebook of the servo tests. If interested search for Canuck Engineering Page on Facebook. Lots more info on there including the video.
Andrew
http://www.facebook.com/Canuck.Engineer
Finished 1 of the x-axis rack and pinions this weekend. Not perfect but strong and usable.
I also moved the machine out from the wall so I start work on the second x-axis mechanics. 2 floor jacks and 3 people made it a painless job. It's starting to get to be a heavy machine.
Andrew
Second x-axis rack and pinion now installed. I also painted the rest of the exposed steel to protect it from moisture now that the swamp coolers are running again.
Beautiful !
You just did so many things *right*.
Transmission. Steel frame. Rigidity. (servos). Bolt/epoxy.
Width/height/thickness of sidewall supports for Z axis-great.
I am really, really glad someone is going a *good* build.
Congrats.
Anyone know a source for water fittings for the spindle? I either can't find the ones that came with my spindle or it didn't have any to start with. I don't remember but they are probably lost.
I think the thread is a M8x1 straight thread. Any leads? I've tried all the normal websites that sell this kind of thing and tried the local stores around Denver, like Ace and Home Depot but no luck so far.
Andrew
It has been a while since I built a water cooled computer Andrew but if I remember correctly the spring loaded fittings I used were 8mm. It would be worth a look.
Rob...
One place that has just about every metric screw and fitting is Maryland Metric. MARYLAND METRICS 'HOME PAGE'
The web site is a bit difficult for me to navigate, but I have called them in the past and they had a really obscure small screw I needed - in stock. If they don't have it, you will be looking in Germany for it. Prices were very reasonable, especially compared to the prices at local stores for normal metric fasteners.
Well after 2 days of searching I found a solution. Jegs.com had adapters for M8x1 male to -AN4 male and also -AN4 to 1/4" hose barb connectors. They weren't cheap but well worth it vs the alternative of making them on the lathe.
I think the Jegs.com parts were for custom NOS setups. I guess next my machine needs a carbon wing.
Andrew
I actually thought of that this morning Andrew, and I know of a place in Arvada that should have them. Can't remember the name right now but I have to go by there so I will check on the way. I used to get parts to build custom brake lines for motorcycles from them when I worked at the bike shop. Should be resonable too.
Rob...
Z-axis cable chain is mounted. My "NOS" water connectors also arrived. I added an oring between the water connector and the spindle body which should keep any leaks to a min.
Morning progress. Y-axis cable chain mounted and looking good.![]()
More progress! X-axis cable chain now mounted. I also got my flow indicator/temp monitor mounted.
Still lots more work to do. I still haven't started on my enclosure but I do have one. It's 36" x 24" x 10" deep steel. I need to paint it before mounting it on the far end of the machine. It' already has a nice big cutouts with filters and a nice door. I got it for free which is always a good price.
Andrew
Got most of the cables through the cable chains. Still waiting on getting some longer cables for the servo encoders.
I think everything will fit. I was worried about the x-axis cable chain capacity.
Andrew
Lots more wiring work to do but made a ton of progress in 2 days of dedicated time on the machine. That doesn't happen to often with my crazy schedule.
Second x-axis rack and pinion now installed.![]()
Limit switches for all axis now mounted, wire for soldered, and switches tested.
I also ran the rest of the water lines back to where the control box will be. Now stuck waiting for parts again.
Andrew