[grahamms]

Hi. I am about 70% through a personal CNC build. The goal is a machine that cuts steel and has a capacity of 12" x 12" x 12". My question is, is anyone interested in the design? Should I bother sharing what I've done and where should I share it?

[handlewanker]

Hi, at 70% finished build all you want is some admiration of the design.....it's too late now for advice or criticism on the practicality of the design......perhaps for the record you could post a few pics of the build if you have them and discuss the merits of why you did it that way etc etc.

Just for openers.......12" X 12" X 12"....that's a CNC gantry router configuration.....routers are not generally ideal designs for cutting steel..... the 12" Z axis height makes the proportions of the rest out of wack.......a 12" height under the gantry means with an X and Y area of 12" X 12" your side supports will be a bit "leggy".

If you go to a moving table design you can make the side supports massive to stop deflection, but that still means the Z axis hang down below the beam will be prone to deflection.

For a table area of 12" X 12" you "should" have a Z axis clearance under the crossbeam of 8" approx......just my opinion.

A column milling machine with 12" X and Z axes would be way out of proportion with the Y axis at 12" due to the massive overhang that the head needs to cover this dimension.
Ian.

[grahamms]

Hi, I am not looking for admiration. At 70% complete, there's no proof the design works yet. At this point, I am more concerned about public interest. I haven't seen anything close to 12" of Z travel in a small X Y package. It's useful for my line of work (machining castings), but does anybody else care about Z travel?

I have some non-machinist friends who are intrigued and think I should go open source and start collaborating. I am not sure how to start down that path or if it is even worthwhile. Any thoughts?
- Matthew

[dharmic]

Also Iain, don't forget that by the time you throw a trunnion 4/5th axis table in there, that 12" of Z will become more like 8" anyway...

[hanermo]

I am very interested.
(sceptical, a bit).

Lets see you machine steel for that cost.
If it works, you have something.

Open-source means showing stuff.

Pics might be a good way to get feedback.

[handlewanker]

Hi.....sigh....if we at least had an inkling of what it is that is being costed at under $2,000,........ a CNC router or a mill.......then perhaps we could get an idea of the practicality of the build............I assume it's already in the build stage and not 70% finished on the drawing board.

With proportions as stated in post #1, I doubt it is in the build stage yet......pics or it hasn't happened.
Ian.

[handlewanker]

Also Iain, don't forget that by the time you throw a trunnion 4/5th axis table in there, that 12" of Z will become more like 8" anyway...

LOL.......a 4th axis and tailstock on a table 300mm (12") long????....that is something I just have to see.
Ian.