[morgandhunter]

Here goes nothing!

I am a 27 year old fabricator of anything!

I spend most of my time developing and building aircraft. the purpose of this macine is to make wind tunnel models for future aircraft designs.

For about a 6 months I have had CNCs dancing around in my head. About 1 month ago my fiance and I moved to a house with a GARAGE!! with the specific purpose of housing my newly built CNC. Now its time to make one!

so now where to start?

join a forum

So far i know i need a cutting table about 14"y X 48"x and as much y as possible hopefully 6". As of now i have a almost new variable speed RotoZip router motor i bought specifically for this machine.

As far as the structure and frame, I think I can come up with something pretty decent. what has me stuck so far are all the different liner motion systems out there.

For some reason i have V-grove bearings in mined but i don't know whats best for this size table, with in a reasonable price range.

Any suggestions and or a good catalog to order for these types of systems.
other than MSC and McMastercarr

thanks,

Morgan

[CarveOne]

Read, read, read. Look through the build log forums on the Zone and get an idea which type of construction you like. There are many to choose from.

You'll need some power tools to work with. The type of construction you like will determine which tools to acquire or have access to. A drill press, electric hand drill, drill set, tap and die set, wrenches, clamps, and screw drivers to start with. You will need ability to cut parts made of MDF, aluminum, or steel.

Consider building from plans or buying a kit of parts with plans.

Consider which software to use to run the machine. There are a number of options that run on DOS, Linux, and Windows. Some are free, most are not.

I will warn you that it will become an addiction that drains your finances and time. Your girlfriend will not like that.

CarveOne

[High Seas]

Welcome aboard! You'll find heaps of friendly folks here willing to help out.
And the simle answer is; "Yes You Can!"
For that size the 48 inches -- really consider using Rack and pinion for the linear drive. I bet you'll want very good resolution and repeatability for the models.

There are some good examples and one that comes to mid are the "MechMates." Do a search and hit the books!
Cheers - Jim

[milhead]

I will warn you that it will become an addiction that drains your finances and time. Your girlfriend will not like that.
CarveOne

.... By the way, where is the next CNC-Anon club meeting....

".. er.. Honey, I have to um, go check the mail.... I think I left it in the garage..."

Mil

[Senna]

Here goes nothing!

I am a 27 year old fabricator of anything! I spend most of my time developing and building aircraft.

You wouldn't by any chance be the 'Personal Cruiser' Morgan Hunter...! ERAU grad... Morgan Hunter...!

You will have absolutely NO problems with construction of a CNC machine. If V-groove bearing machines are being considered the already mentioned MechMate is a high end example... also take a look at a Joe's 4X4 Hybrid... both machines have large communities and builders forums.

By all means... lurk & learn... then get 'er done...!

Welcome!

Senna

[ger21]

Good deal on V-Groove bearings.
http://www.cadcamcadcam.com/v-groovewheel2.aspx

[CarveOne]

.... By the way, where is the next CNC-Anon club meeting....

".. er.. Honey, I have to um, go check the mail.... I think I left it in the garage..."

Mil

I've been having one most weekends in my work shop. So far, it's just been me attending. I do a lot of talking to myself about why I'm doing this instead of making money somewhere.

CarveOne

[pminmo]

Welcome to the RDC (Routers Disease Club) ...

[morgandhunter]

Thanks for the info and suport,

Thanks for the Bering link. Are there any catalogs I can order that have various linear systems like v-rails? Or is there a good over all catalog of "ACME Stuff" I can learn from?

As of now I'm trying to get my old student SolidSorks program back up and running so i can draw something

Yep I built the Personal Cruiser.


Morgan Hunter

[FandZ]

Thanks for the info and suport,

Yep I built the Personal Cruiser.


Morgan Hunter

Yeppers, you need a cnc man!

[Senna]

Are there any catalogs I can order that have various linear systems like v-rails? Or is there a good over all catalog of "ACME Stuff" I can learn from?

Morgan... here's one company with V bearing systems... and more...http://www.pacific-bearing.com/IntegralVTechnology.aspx

They have a catalog they will send you...

Senna

[morgandhunter]

Good*deal!*
The*PBC*linear*bearing*catalog*is*on*it's*way.
*Thanks*Senna.*

I*like*there*IVT*rail*system*a*lot,*I*hope*there*n ot*to*expensive.


*Morgan

[Senna]

Morgan,

Things CAN get expensive with this hobby... OR with enough patience and bidding luck you can snag some excellent precision components off eBay. That's the route I took and with time and some of that luck I spoke of... I had winning bids on the X, Y, & Z liner rails and trucks. THEN I sat down to design & size my machine around the lengths of the rail systems won. A good many machines end up the size they are due to the availability of the rail system lengths. It's pretty much LENGTH = COST with the precision stuff. The longer stuff gets pricey real quick.

It's something you don't want to skimp on though if you desire accuracy & precision. I hope your budget is up to it...!

Senna

[Senna]

Morgan,

For the length of travel you desire on the X-axis... a leadscrew config could present issues... mainly whipping. Longer axis builder's are typically employing R&P (rack & pinion). As we speak a fellow CNCZone'r that goes by the handle Ahren is developing a low cost R&P setup that you might want to look at... read about it here...( http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...ighlight=Ahren ). He also has an internet store that may provide you with ideas if not actual components... www.cncrouterparts.com

I'm not connected to his enterprise... just a satisfied customer for the 8020 style of machine construction. Although his bearing design is NOT a V-groove system... he does have a unique design that is finding a following for low cost and performance. It's worth a look if sticker shock accompanies that Pacific Bearing catalog...!

Senna

[ahren]

Senna -- thanks for the bump!

Morgan -- you can get away with a 48" travel with a screw driven machine if you use multi-start screws. These allow for reduced rotational speed for the same linear speed, and have a lot of advantages besides reduced whip (lower friction, better torque range for steppers). My new R&P system will be ready in a couple of weeks as well, but if you go that route, you might as well go to 6' of travel since it won't cost you much more. I'd recommend checking out some of the build logs linked from my site if you're interested in my components (or even if you're not -- there are a lot of good ideas there).

Best regards,

Ahren
www.cncrouterparts.com

[miwms1955@gmail]

You can purchase plans for $39 at this site.
http://www.solsylva.com/cnc/cnc_plans_home.shtml

[s3648]

These guys are right, it is a disease, but oh so much fun! I have a 36" x 36" machine with 10 TPI acme screws and she will whip if i try and go too fast. I think the guys are right I would go with R&P. Geckos are probably the best, however I like Probotix myself. Check oiut cnctoybox.com and hubbard cnc store at ebay. also got my motor couplings from amazon.com for some crazy cheap price (i forgot exactly how much)

Anyway good luck and tell your girlfriend we are sorry for her loss!~ lol

[esdios]

Morgan,

Let me know what you think of the Pacific Bearing stuff. It would be interesting to hear some feedback on that company.

Tom