Thread: 6b4

Before I get too far into my design.#I keep looking for some other kind of support but from what I can tell the gantry is held in place mainly by the ball screw and to a lesser degree the bearing block? Is that right, do linear bearings work like a slide way or do they just keep everything straight?


I'm currently converting a small mill to cnc so that will help with the smaller parts. The general plan is to make the machine work first as a bear knuckles affair then use it to mill the larger items.#I've done a rough sketch up of the base i'll post that in a new thread for critique and advice latter. #

Originally Posted by rodm

An example is in the attached where you can see lots of positioned holes with some slotted for adjustment. By cutting and drilling it on the CNC machine each component fitted exactly first time around. BTW the drilled holes are just spot drilled on the machine then drilled to to final size on a drill press and if needed tapped after that.

Well that is OK for a left hand one Rod, but how do you make the right hand one?

An interesting read indeed.

No idea what it will do when finished... tho?

Will it tie my shoelaces for e.g.? (Being too fat to bend over and tie them myself - this would seem like a worthwhile invention).

Just curious what it will do when completed?

Please don't say, that it will be used to make parts to build a bigger one.

What does it do?... carve wood?

Originally Posted by slhouetteV8

Before I get too far into my design.#I keep looking for some other kind of support but from what I can tell the gantry is held in place mainly by the ball screw and to a lesser degree the bearing block? Is that right, do linear bearings work like a slide way or do they just keep everything straight?


I'm currently converting a small mill to cnc so that will help with the smaller parts. The general plan is to make the machine work first as a bear knuckles affair then use it to mill the larger items.#I've done a rough sketch up of the base i'll post that in a new thread for critique and advice latter. #

The ballscrews do not carry any load at all. Their purpose is to convert rotary movement to linear movement using an exact and controlled method. The computer sends step and direction signals to a driver board which moves the motor accordingly. Mumbo jumbo electronics and you don't need to know anything more than that.

The linear rails or more specifically the trucks (bearings) run along the linear rails supporting the weight as well as the path of travel. Linear rails can carry tons of load and depending on the design they can also stop radial movement. They can be likened to a slide way on a lathe or mill but have a lot less friction because they run on bearings.

Hope that's not too technical.

Originally Posted by Bob Willson

Well that is OK for a left hand one Rod, but how do you make the right hand one?

Bob,
You are making a habit of trying to get me on hot days - only 39 here today but anything over 37 and my blood thins out and the brain is starved.
Wait I have an idea - just turn the material over and cut the same job, turn it back after cutting and throw the part in the scrap bin. I only need left hand ones being a southpaw.

Originally Posted by Timless Timber

An interesting read indeed.


Please don't say, that it will be used to make parts to build a bigger one.

I won't say it but how about I type it - it will be used to make other machines.
Now to be serious it will cut 2 and 3 D parts in plastics, timber composite, timber, aluminum and brass. These parts can be precise, repeatable or just simple engraving or art forms such as carvings.
Have a look through this thread for examples of what members of this forum have done.

Our third day of high temperatures so progress has been slow. Today I finished off the second gantry side and fitted both to the machine. It looks high but that is to accommodate the 140mm travel which is necessary for the 4th axis. As it is high and because the only suitable material I had was 20mm ally plate that's what it ended up. It makes the whole gantry as solid as a rock with the downside being a little extra weight.
The 20mm plates were cut on Morphy so that is a good indicator on the capability of these machines.

Great progress on the machine rod. I see you have a bit of time on your hands now.

Looking forward to seeing this unit completed.
ps: I've started converting my lathe, I mean updating my CNC lathe to gecko and Mach control. Can't wait to get it going.

Hi Mike,
Life is at a different pace now.
The lathe sounds like a good project to get into. Mumbo jumbo electronics isn't my idea of fun but I know it is one of your strengths. I have been avoiding the electronics on this machine so today I will polish the gantry sides instead. I am only joking but thinking about it would look cool.

Rod,

This is a great read. Love the pictures and explanations.

old1955,
Glad you are enjoying the read. There is a bit of waffle and poking fun at each other but it's all in good humor.

Hi There,

May i ask where you were able to get the rotary kit from?
I have been playing up with building one for sometime now.
One of the things that i always wanted to do was turn my own spindles, any help will be greatly appreciated.

regards
Harender

Hi Rod,

Thankyou for your postings on 6B4...I enjoy seeing your great builds.

Maybe when 6B4 is finished, you could call the next one "How Many More"

Have you thought of some engraving on the gantry ends also?

Cheers,
Kym

h_samtani
I got it from ebay and there is a link here