Hi all,
This is the build log of Optimus Prime 4th Generation. This time the Optimus Prime is going to transform from Sheet metal into 4x4 CNC router. This transformation might take long time as we are building Hero here that will make the rest of all Zero.

My friends CarveOne and Gerry has also started their build log and Carveone has almost completed the Steel frame router However Ger21 with hybrid ply+epoxy is coming into existence from the drawings to the real world. Both has posted fantastic build logs with lot of pictures. I started this build log to complete the "Optimus Prime" within targetted time of 60 days. probably you will find it in working condition in the last days of December. The purpose of starting this build log is to complete it within the given time frame.

What i did so far:

1- Drawings:
a- Many time changed.
b- Still on drawing board.
c- So expect no drawings from me at least this time.

Why the Drawings are late?? This is because today i visited the sheet metal bending facility and was amazed to see how accurate they bend and how align the sheets after bending.... So just scraped my old drawings which i was working for months and start building new ones.. The old drawings was amalgamate between wood, steel and Aluminum. Now the new drawings totally eliminated the wood and i am going toward lot cheaper and strong sheet metal solution.

2- Lead screw or rack and Pinion:
a- I moved toward the Rack and Pinion and for this i purchased the
Racks and pinion wheels from local market.
b- The basis for selecting R&P is because i simply inspired from ahren
R&P build. My past experience working with the lead screw is not
good in the way they are slower and having lot of other potential
problems. I want this machine accurate but fast more than 300 IPM.
c- The gear Rack came in 4ft pieces and the guy handed over me exactly
5 feets as per my requirement. I was amazed to see the welding joint
he made to join one foot piece to the remaining four feet. I placed the
two five feets gears upside down and found that all teethes meshes
perfectly.

3- Gecko G540, ahren linear carriages, cables and Steppers:
I purchased 380 Oz-in NEMA 23 steppers , cables, Z-axis 5-start
screw with anti-backlash nuts and one carriage from cncrouterparts.
He is really nice guy to deal with. This was my second deal of
purchase with him. These are in transit and i can't not wait to see
them in my hand.

4- Hot Rolled steel plates as linear guide rails:
The Hot Rolled sheet was cut on shearing press, machined on big
BORING MACHINE and accurately drilled. I have now Z-axis and X/Y
axes rails available.

5- Mach3 Screen set 2010 by Ger21:
I will use Mach3 2010 Screen set courtesy by Gerry. I really love that
screen and the functionality of auto-tool-zeroing of tools with one fixed
plate and one movable plate. He is really nice helping guy at this forum.
I am also interested in Probing which he is working on.

6- Limit Switches as per RomanLini Design:
I am currently working on making Home switches for this build based on
the great work of RomanLini.

I will soon come back with some pictures.