[SullyCNC]

Hi Mike,

Nice project!!! I am a CNC newbie and have been reading the thread; I am getting motivated :-)

Newbie question (don't laugh)... how do you make the 90 degree bends shown in your plans? I have seen the Bending Break at HF; will this do the job?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=41311

What would bend sheet metal, aluminum... with a nice even bend?

Regards,

Michael

[mlaws1172]

Michael
The plans are going to change some, the last couple of weeks I have been able to make progress.

It is made of 18ga. sheetmetal and the 40" HF break is rated at 18ga.

I will post some new pictures Sunday

Mike

[mlaws1172]

Here are some pictures of the final selection for end supports and bearings.

The bearings ended up being sch80 black pipe with brass bushings and the end supports are sheetmetal with a locking hub welded to it.

I welded the corners of the uprights on the gantry. Now that I have decided which way to go it is going fast (for me).

It is very solid with no racking and I can move the gantry by turning the acme screw with my two fingers.

This is revision 6 and I will finish it so I can see how it runs. The final version will have stepper motors with direct drive and the metal is already sheared for it.

Mike

[Weldtutor]

Here are some pictures of the final selection for end supports and bearings.

Mike,
Fine looking engineering shown in your pictures.

Great application for the use of welding on the sliders & end supports.

I believe I see a nice little Lincoln welder in the background of picture #1.

[SullyCNC]

Nice pics Mike...

What type and size motors are you using? I see you dropped the A axis. Are all three the same size then?

EMC2 looks very promising... I will load it and get familiar with it; maybe I can help fill in some of the gaps.

Thanks again for the progress reports :-)

Regards,

Michael

[mlaws1172]

Michael
I am going to use servo motors on this one, (E542s,Electrocraft), running at about 40volts and 2amps.
It should be able to get 75ipm-100ipm. All three are the same size,mainly because I have a bunch of them.

The a-axis was not needed and it helps to reduce the cost by eliminating it. I have done a of experimenting trying to get the cost and part count down.

It would be great to get it set up to use EMC to get the cost down even more and any help would be appreciated.

We finished the Z-axis today,so now it is on to the wiring and some test runs

Thanks
mike

[poldim]

Mike,

Awesome work.

Do you think it would be able to handle any machining of metal?

[mlaws1172]

Polim
Yes i believe it will. If you tell me what you are interesting in cutting, I will run some tests and make any needed adjustments in the final version.

Also tell me what you would be using as a cutter

I know it is hard to believe that sheetmetal can be that rigid but we build lots of things out of sheetmetal that have to carry loads of 15000#s or more. The problem is not the sheetmetal but trying to figure out how to do it without costing alot. But that is also the fun part.

If there is anything else someone would like to see done let me know and I will try.

Mike

[mlaws1172]

Here is a couple of pictures of the bearing carrier for the y-axis and the z axis

Mike

[Weldtutor]

Mike,
More good looking work!.

For the cuts posted back in #42 & #50 did you generate the G code with Sheetcam or another method?

[mlaws1172]

Bruce
I used sheetcam but i am going to buy Vcarve and I purchased dolpin cam to try.
Are you ready for the Canadian version of Mini Tin, I guess we will have to call it Micro-Tin.

Mike

[Weldtutor]

Are you ready for the Canadian version of Mini Tin, I guess we will have to call it Micro-Tin.

Thanks for the reply.
Yes, I'm ready.

Mini or Micro,

Maple Leaf

or Stars & Stripes

The name & colours are not important.

[mlaws1172]

Bruce
The only difference is the wieght and size I can ship USPS.

Here is a picture of what the machine is based on, just a basic box.
The other is of a box and pan brake, I cheat a little bit.

mike

[mlaws1172]

A little gain - some of the covers and a place for the electronics

mike

[Weldtutor]

a place for the electronics
mike

Mike,
That sure is a nice compact looking machine!

A trick location to hide the electronics.