[ger21]

Is Mach4 ever going to be ready??

Yes, someday it will.

But I'd plan on using Mach3 when this machine is ready to start moving. Wait at least 6-12 months for Mach4, unless you want to be a beta tester.

[hacker7]

Hey I just found this thread . Whats the status of the build is it finished ? would like to see some more pics.
I'm in the process of gathering info on the same size table.

[RouteBot]

Still not finished . . . this stuff takes awhile. I have been bogged down with other projects. However, I do have a little progress to show.

Attachment 253684

Mock up of some z axis parts.


Attachment 253686

Welding the gear rack to 1/8" flat steel bar. The scrap bar is covering up the rack teeth to be sure I don't get weld spatter in the teeth. The racks come in 6 ft. lengths. They were trimmed and welded to give me a 10 ft. long gear rack with a mounting flange.

Attachment 253690

Rack gear welded assembly mounted to the side extrusion.


Attachment 253688

Test fitting the servo/gear drive. Making sure the gears line up correctly. The servo mount will get a compression spring to push the gears together.


Attachment 253696

Y axis rack gear location.

[RouteBot]

A few more pics . . .

Attachment 253702

Transferring hole locations to the z axis side using an expanding center punch. Then drill and tap each location.

Attachment 253716

Z axis mock up.

[hacker7]

AWESOME!!!!!!!! Keep up the great work!!! I'm on pins and needles waiting for this thing to ROAR!!!!

[hacker7]

Any more Update's on this build is it moving on it's own yet!!!!!

[RouteBot]

Any more Update's on this build is it moving on it's own yet!!!!!

Sorry, not much to post. Work keeps getting in the way! I hope to get back on it next month.

[jerseyguy1996]

This is a serious monster of a build! I'm a bit jealous.

[hacker7]

RouteBot where do you stand on this build??????

Just checking haven't seen any activity on the thread. Didn't want you to get discouraged on how long
it's taking to build.

[RouteBot]

Sorry for the long stretch with no progress! There was some more important things I had to deal with. So I'm back for now and moving forward again.

Here are the latest pics of the Z axis:

Attachment 286328

Attachment 286326

Attachment 286330

Attachment 286332

[RouteBot]

Installing the Z axis to the gantry.


Attachment 286340

[RouteBot]

X axis servo / gearbox installed.


Attachment 286510

Attachment 286514

[nlancaster]

I love your solution to the rack and pinion drive. Very compact where it counts.

[RouteBot]

I love your solution to the rack and pinion drive. Very compact where it counts.

Thanks, the servos with gearboxes would have been sticking way out. Hopefully, it works! You never really know how things will go until it's powered up . . .

[RouteBot]

When bolting the gearboxes to my servos I found one of the gearboxes to be defective. The machining in the connecting collar was not quite centered, causing binding when the bolts were tightened.

I called Automation Technologies Inc. and told John that I had purchased the gearbox from them and is was defective. John called me today and he is shipping a new gearbox! He also upgraded a 24V power supply to a higher amp model on a recent order. I have to give a shout-out to John at Automationtechnologiesinc.com for his unbelievable customer support.

The gearbox issue has been holding up the Z axis assembly. So I'm excited to get the new gearbox and move forward with the build.

[RouteBot]

Z axis servo with brake and AMT102-V encoder installed.

[hacker7]

Great Work Thanks for the Update!!!!!!!

More,More,More!!!!!!!!!

[RouteBot]

Here is a picture of my e-chain mock up. By using my air hose I can get an idea of length and connection point. Unfortunately, I'll have to remove the gantry and reverse it because the electrical box is on the other end of the router. I didn't model the e-chains and didn't think it would be an issue. Reversing the gantry will work. However, I think it will look strange having the back of the router towards the middle of the shop. Oh well . . .

Attachment 290296

[hacker7]

Did you do all of your machining of the parts for the gantry or did you have someone do it?
Either way it's very nice work!!!!

BTW Thanks for all pics!!!

[RouteBot]

Did you do all of your machining of the parts for the gantry or did you have someone do it?
Either way it's very nice work!!!!

BTW Thanks for all pics!!!

I have a friend with a mill. We worked together to mill the parts. I did all the CAD work. I learned a lot, as I have no experience milling parts. Working with the mill should help me if I ever get my router done!