[Azalin]

Most of my time belongs to my 13 months young daughter so I'm not playing with this machine much. Only about an hour a day. I'm going slow but steady tough.

[Azalin]

Once the machine is ready to cut I'll cut a third spindle bracket for more rigidity.

[A_Camera]

Very nice. Thanks for showing the progress.

[Azalin]

Very nice. Thanks for showing the progress.

I'm happy to. Thanks.


The things for Y axis steppers are ready.

[Azalin]

OK I admit that I failed on the X ball rod end. The BK12 block is too large causing to push the stepper about 70mm out. That's too much. I had to put the BK12 inside the gantry but in vertical line because when I install it inside horizontally (as it is) it touches the Z assembly.

As I solution I will make a FK12 like block. Will post the progress here.

[Bryan Rocker]

Thank you. I'm very glad you like it.

The feets are plastic actually and they are rated 100kg each. Pretty sturdy but you're right. The machine is very heavy and it's almost impossible to move along with the iron table. I was thinking about castor wheels. They sure look nice but are not cheap.

Edit: I thing they are called "leveling casters"
Leveling Casters | eBay

I don't know if you have looked on Mcmaster Carr but they have a wide selection of level options, having said that with that much weight I would not recommend castors. Castors to move it but once its moved set it on leveling jacks or castors. McMaster-Carr On a side note I put moving dollies under my cnc to move it, it weights around 1200 lbs...

Looking Good.

Bryan

[awerby]

I agree with Bryan; you don't want to operate a machine like that when it's standing on casters, even if they do have brakes. A solution I've seen, for machines that need to move, is a combination of casters and adjustable feet that retract on heavy screws. You roll it to where it needs to be, then crank on the feet screws until it's level, and the casters are dangling in the air.

[Azalin]

OK let's continue with the FK12 build.













More pics tomorrow...

[nlancaster]

Looking good.

But isn't the z to x axis plate still mounted upside down? It is costing you several inches of z-axis clearance.

[Azalin]

Looking good.

But isn't the z to x axis plate still mounted upside down? It is costing you several inches of z-axis clearance.

No it's in the right place. The Z isn't that big as it look in the pics. I kept small just to use my old THK linear rail and blocks. They are very nice things but 12mm. Too small for the size but I'm intended to use them for a while.

[nlancaster]

I think we are not seeing the same thing.

I am looking at this where the z-axis support plate hangs down below the gantry.


Flipping that plate over should let you do this.

[Azalin]

The plate can't be flipped because the mounting holes of the lead screw block wont get aligned.

The Z is in the lower side because I only have 100mm Z axis movement (small and short old rails). When I upgrade the Z with longer and bigger linear rails the whole assembly will be moved upwards as you suggested.

Thanks for your interest.

[nlancaster]

Got it!

I didn't realize you were going to eventually upgrade to longer rails.

[Azalin]

Got it!

I didn't realize you were going to eventually upgrade to longer rails.

Because I didn't mention. My bad.

Best,
Suat

[Azalin]

Just a little more work to finish this.

[Corvus]

Nice work and wonderful thread to read and see!

Very inspiring! Thanks for posting all the pictures for us to see.

Leo

[Azalin]

Thanks Leo.

Best,
Suat

[Azalin]

OK I just finished the ball screw end support. It was a mile stone to finish the CNC. Small project but I really enjoyed it.

[Azalin]

That thing is really nice. I'm playing with it like a child.

[Azalin]

Just finished the the opposite lead screw end support. Also installed grease nipples to the lead screw ball nuts.