[davida1234]

Thanks Arjay

[davida1234]

Main machine frame is finished. Time to move on to the Z-axis.



Z-AXIS ASSEMBLY:

Please note that some of the details are from earlier iterations.
The design and concept is the same.

It is easiest to assemble the Z-axis separately. These are the components for the Z-axis:
Attachment 412992

The two linear shafts:
Attachment 412994



You can utilize any parts of the design for your personal use.
Please contact me if you are interested for commercial application.

[davida1234]

Please note that some of the details are from earlier iterations.
The design and concept is the same.

Place the square nuts into the slots of the spindle mount frames:
Attachment 412996

Nuts installed and mount frames aligned. Middle nut acts only as a spacer:
Attachment 412998



You can utilize any parts of the design for your personal use.
Please contact me if you are interested for commercial application.

[davida1234]

The four spindle frames with the nuts are stacked and ready for loose assembly:
Attachment 413010

[davida1234]

The four spindle mount frames are loosely assembled and each of the two SS shafts is attached to the spindle mount with four 1/4 screws.

That's how it looks from the front:
Attachment 413042

And from the back:
Attachment 413044



You can utilize any parts of the design for your personal use.
Please contact me for commercial applications.

[davida1234]

The completed Z-axis/slide/extension plate/spindle mount:
Attachment 413046



You can utilize any parts of the design for your personal use.
Please contact me for commercial applications.

[davida1234]

With the Z-axis assembled, I'm moving on to the spindle.

SPINDLE CONNECTIONS

Electrical wire (IGUS) uses the spindle's original connector.
I found a fitting rubber booth on Amazon that fits over it and protects it bit more:
Attachment 413088

I am using McMaster Carr's 1/4ID-3/8OD PVC hose for cooling.
I found it to be better than the one I got from HD.
More pliable yet somewhat keeping its shape better.
It will fit into the inlet/outlet clamp with some persuasion:
Attachment 413090

Then the flow indicator is installed on one of the tubing:
Attachment 413092

[davida1234]

Cut the ends of tubing flush with the clamp:
Attachment 413094

And attach the tubes to the spindle:
Attachment 413096

Orient the flow indicator flat with the front of spindle:
Attachment 413098

Install the electrical connector. Slip on the rubber booth:

[davida1234]

Spindle is ready to be installed into the Z-axis assembly.
Position the bottom of the SS body about 1/8" below the bottom of the mount.
Make sure that the inlet/out side of the spindle is inline with the front of the mount:
Attachment 413102

Tighten down the clamp screws, four of them:

[davida1234]

On the back of the mount, there are two interior passages for tubing. Push a 1/4-3/8 tubing through that:
Attachment 413106

Bottom view of the mount:
Attachment 413108

Cut the end of tubing square. Heat up tubing and squeeze the tubing into
the threaded cup end of the 1/4" LocLine hose:
Attachment 413110

Push the tubing/LocLine assembly back up the channel:




You can utilize any parts of the design for your personal use.
Please contact me for commercial applications.

[davida1234]

The bottom of the mount channel has a 1/4" pipe thread on it.
Screw on the LocLine into it:
Attachment 413114

LocLine installed on one channel:
Attachment 413116

Spindle mount has two channels for LocLine installation in the back.
You can use any of them for air or coolant and you can add them at a later time if you wish.
I will be using just one at this time:
Attachment 413118

The Z-axis / spindle assembly is finished and ready to be installed onto the X-carriage.

[davida1234]

I don't remember anymore how many times I changed the design, recut the parts and modified the details.
This is a prototype test mule which can and hopefully will be changed to improve many more times.


Any comments, suggestions or critique is very welcome.

[davida1234]

Moving on to the X-Carriage.

X-CARRIAGE ASSEMBLY:

All parts for the X-Carriage:
Attachment 413170

Attachment 413172



You can utilize any parts of the design for your personal use.
Please contact me for commercial applications.

[davida1234]

I will start the assembly with the lower plate:

Pillow block pairs consist of a top and a bottom part.
Align and slide a ball bushing into the bottom part of the pillow block:
Attachment 413174

Then place the bushing and the block through the opening of the lower plate:
Attachment 413176

And slide the top part of the pillow block onto the bushing:
Attachment 413178

One ball bushing and pillow block set placed:
Attachment 413180



You can utilize any parts of the design for your personal use.
Please contact me for commercial applications.

[davida1234]

Install the other ball bushing and pillow block set.

That's it for the lower plate assembly:
Attachment 413182



You can utilize any parts of the design for your personal use.
Please contact me for commercial applications.

[davida1234]

Preparation of the upper plate:

Top view of the upper plate with elongated holes for tramming:
Attachment 413208

And the bottom of the upper plate:
Attachment 413210

Install shoulder screw:
Attachment 413212

And the 37MM angular ball bearing:

[davida1234]

Install the remaining two pairs of ball bushings and pillow blocks as on the lower plate:
Attachment 413216

Attachment 413218

All installed:
Attachment 413220

Front view:
Attachment 413222

Back view:

[wmgeorge]

It sure looks nice but the side rails are very high and not very wide. I think your going to have flexing and twist when your cutting. Most builders use 3 inch or 4 inch square extrusions or metal for the side rails or Y axis. Look at some of the commercial builds you will see what I mean. Maybe all your going to use is a small hand router for spindle, if so you will be ok.

[davida1234]

Just for demonstration, this is where the servo spacer will be installed:
Attachment 413226

And the servo, a lower power Teknic CPM-SDSK-2321P-RQN:

[davida1234]

side rails are very high and not very wide. I think your going to have flexing and twist when your cutting.

Hi wmgeorge, do you mean the machine frame's side rails or the x-carriage side plates?

The spindle is the standard Chinese 80MM 2.2kW spindle.