[InventIt]

Several years ago I built my first cnc router. It started as a plasma machine and evolved into a plasma/router/light duty mill. It never really was built to mill metals but, milling metals is mostly what I need it to do.

So, I decided it was time to build a new machine. This one will be much heavier then the first one. Hopefully it will mill aluminum and steel without too many problems.

The drive system will be AC servos run through a 1856 Galil card and Mach3. As far as speed goes, the goal is 600+ IPM on rapids.

Pictured is the raw materials for the build. 6x8 tube, 1018cr steel for mounting the linear rails. Also pictured is the gantry partially welded. 6x8" steel tubing, 1/2" thick wall, 70" long. Weighs about 300# with the flat bars welded on. Add the z axis and a spindle and the "mass in motion" will be over 500#!!

Some more specs:
travels: x 59", y 33", z about 15"
3/4" precision acme screw 2 turns per inch direct driven 1:1 by 1100w ac servos
Full flood coolant system
BT30 spindle rated 15000rpm (I know it will be grossly underpowered, but I want to try driving the spindle with a 1kw Automation direct servo through Machs spindle control)