Hello all. New peron here with dreams in his head.
Probably fairly simple questions:
I don't need the size, and an X and Y of around 12" or less will suite me fine (and ~3" or 4" of z travel). I really like the simplicity and compactness of the Sable 2015, but it needs to be redesigned for better performance (the sable has a travel of 7.9" x 5.9"). And for the redesign, I'm thinking the overall construction plans, would be followed 95% (not counting dimensions of course).
Here are some thoughts. The all plate aluminum design technique used to build the sable makes for an easy assembly. It just requires another much larger mill to create the parts. I'm hoping to design it so it's just a matter of truing the ends of the raw plates (as opposed to milling the entire square pattern), then placing holes where they would need to go (stepper, screws holes, etc).
I'm 'guessing' 1/2" plate all around will be good enough for NEMA 23's (thoughts?).
The linear/round rails would stay, but I'd upgrade to ball screws.
Overall, I "think" this can be put together fairly simply with just plate aluminum. Thoughts?
After I get my bill of materials together, I'll submit an RFQ (to the RFQ area) as I simply do not have the large mill. In the RFQ, I'm hoping that a more experienced person will be able to source the aluminum plate from their current supplier (as it really doesn't make since for me to buy then ship to them) and create the parts (from my specs), and ship to me. I figure I can source all the other materials needed myself (motors, rails).
One last thought. I wouldn't even know where to start to come up with an estimate that someone would charge to create the pieces for me on their 'much bigger mill'. If the whole turn-key expense if a lot, perhaps it would make more since just to buy a better machine (but I'm hoping it's more a 'labor of love' and the price wouldn't be so much). I'm hopping that by building my own, I can stay under the $1K price (minus PC and software). (?)
In case it matters. My primary function will be milling PCBs for around the shop here (that's how I actually stumbled upon the sable).