Thread: cnc build - Aluminium

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

Hi Andrew,

Do you have some dimensions on your machine i.e. what's the largest size piece you can cut?

The work area is X 710mm Y 550mm Z 120mm
Thats using 16mm SBR X 1000mm Y 750mm Z 300mm

Regards
Andrew

Originally Posted by John H

Cut3D doesn't do 2D profile stuff. Here is a comparison of the products and features: Link

Vectric do offer a Cut2D/Cut3D bundle saving $49 USD

Thanks john

I did see they had a package deal, Im going to have to buy the bundle then,
Lucky im a millionaire or i would be 'd off

Originally Posted by John H

Cut3D doesn't do 2D profile stuff. Here is a comparison of the products and features: Link

Vectric do offer a Cut2D/Cut3D bundle saving $49 USD

EDIT: Just so you are aware, Cut3D doesn't do 3D design, it only does tool paths. So it's a CAM program rather than a CAD program.

Yeah i know I would buy it straight away if it was a 3d Cad n Cam package, I think everyone would,

Well I've ordered my Cad-cam software

ended up going with Bobcad, It should be enough for what i need to do
I'm getting -V23 Pro mill
-V23 Bob Art
-V23 Training CD set (mill/art)

Can't bet them for customer service, They spent about 2hr's on the phone from america showing me all about V23 via live web feed were i could see there computer screen while they explained it,

There is a free option for 3d cad. Unfortunately I havn't had a chance to play with it yet, but they might be worth checking out:
heekscad - Project Hosting on Google Code - open source 3d cad
heekscnc - Project Hosting on Google Code - machineing add on for heekscad

There is also freecad:
SourceForge.net: free-cad
again, no idea how good.

Originally Posted by foobillious

There is a free option for 3d cad. Unfortunately I havn't had a chance to play with it yet, but they might be worth checking out:
heekscad - Project Hosting on Google Code - open source 3d cad
heekscnc - Project Hosting on Google Code - machineing add on for heekscad

There is also freecad:
SourceForge.net: free-cad
again, no idea how good.

Thanks foobillious, But if already bought over $5000usd worth of BOBCAD V23 software which should be enough to get my machine going, Gus from bobcad gave me a great deal on the package,
That i couldn't refuse, + i got BOBCAD ART V23

Hey Andrew.. nice build. I've been running a smaller CNC for about a year and have been planning on upsizing.

I've got my rails and ballscrews and about 10 different versions of plans.


And I think, thanks to you, I know where to get my aluminimum from.

Cheers
Brad.

Hi Brad

Wow how long is the long SBR rail in that picture?

AME systems is great and their cutting service is accurate,

If you want to save a bit of money on fittings I used 8mm allthread to bolt things like the base board to the frame and other parts,

all you need to do is modify the nuts a little with a grinder and they slide down the channels great,

I wish i could have done this with the rail's but theirs not really enough room to fit 8mm holes in the support rail's

Good luck with the build, atleast you allready have a cnc to build this one,

Mine's still upgrading itself, and i've just designed a much better way to do the fixed nuts on the x-y-z axis, to give me minimum clearance but still keep it smooth,

I still have to work on the extraction system and a way to hold the parts being machined, Yes im still holding the parts by hand exept the depron all that needs is tape so thats easy,

Regards
Andrew

Hey Andrew, my rails are 1500mm x 1000mm x 600mm. The base / x -axis will be made from C-section steel with steel legs. I'm hoping to do the rest in aluminimum. I've just got my G540 controller box sorted and will slave an axis to have 2 lead screws controlling the x-axis.

Have you any more up to date pics of the progress on yours?

Brad.

Hi Andrew

Good job.

I have been lurking around CNCzone for a few years, i have just come across this site and there seams to be a lot more going on here then on CNCzone (well more relevant to what i would like to do). Now that i have changed jobs i will have more free time. Now it is time to start a build.

I have been trying to source some aluminium extrusions for a couple of weeks now and the site that you have posted looks like the best one. Spoke to 8020 during the week. I think i have recovered from that call now ($60/m for 40x40 heavy). The 30 60x60 profile looks like the pick as it fits the LMB supported rails perfectly. Yes, It will be over-engineered. Based on the attached picture but with fully supported rails. Will be used for PCB machining, manufacturing of fibreglass, carbon fibre, aluminium parts for RC hobby and anything else i can fit under the Z-axis and hoe into. It will be fixed gantry with moving table for X. Y will move across gantry. Aiming for a cutting area of 400 x 400 x 150 based around a kit like this (would like 800mm frails for the X, there was a kit up the other week that was perfect).
3 ballscrews + 3 sets SBR rails +3sets BK/BF12+couplers - eBay Replacement Parts, Metalworking Tooling, Manufacturing Metalworking, Business Industrial. (end time 13-Feb-10 14:20:49 AEDST)

What is the quality of the components from LMB like?


Thanks

Nice build Andrew

After years of "one day" it is time to start a build. Looks like i will be using the AME System profiles, cheaper then the 80/20 stuff and they have the 60x60 which suites the LMB supported rails. It will be small and over engineered. At least some of the parts can be used on future larger projects.

Does anyone have an comments on the rails and ball screws from LMB on ebay? looks like they are used on a few machines here.

Thanks

Gareth

Originally Posted by GWH74

Does anyone have an comments on the rails and ball screws from LMB on ebay? looks like they are used on a few machines here.

Thanks

Gareth

I don;t think you'll find any complaints about Chai's products or service here.
There's a long thread on the topic over at cnczone.com

LMS gear is good and excellent price.
The AME system is cheaper but is compariable to 80/20 and the others. If you had a look at the two brands you will find the 80/20 is much heavier walled than the AME. You are probbly getting the same value so it is a choice of dollars verses strength.
There are a few manufacturers of similar tubes such as Bosch and Item.
Not knocking the AME system as it makes building a machine affordable for many.

Hi Andrew

How much do you think the table weighs (not including the controller or router)?
Just checking how portable / movable it is.

Thanks