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  1. #1
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    Default Where do I find 200x50 or 200x75 Box Section Steel in Melbourne for a CNC Machine?

    Hi Guys,

    I am currently designing my 8' x 4' CNC machine and I need to source some steel box section for the Y axis gantry.

    Ideally I would like 200x50 or 200x75 box sections and use a single piece for the Y axis.

    This would be drilled and tapped and the linear rails attached.

    I am also open to considering larger pieces but the width can not exceed 100mm.

    Does anyone know somewhere in Melbourne that I can get this steel?

    Thanks.

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  3. #2
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    Brenton,

    I don't think either of those sizes are readily available in Australia. This link to Onesteel suggests what is - http://www.onesteel.com/showsizerange.asp?productID=207

    How about aluminium? http://www.alltradealuminium.com.au/...mill-finish-2/

    Bob.

  4. #3
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    Default

    May have to double two pieces of 100 x 50 and get them welded together.

  5. #4
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    Default

    Try Westys, been awhile since I was there and they no longer have what they carry online, but they used to carry a pretty big range.

    200x75 C section only $72/m
    http://www.steelsolutions.com.au/ste...lack-c-95.html

    If there is going to be any real load on it how about 150x50 welded to 50x50. (then the middle wont be along for the ride????)
    http://www.steelsolutions.com.au/ste...ted-c-100.html

    Stuart

  6. #5
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Anorak Bob View Post
    Brenton,

    I don't think either of those sizes are readily available in Australia. This link to Onesteel suggests what is - http://www.onesteel.com/showsizerange.asp?productID=207

    How about aluminium? http://www.alltradealuminium.com.au/...mill-finish-2/

    Bob.
    Hi Bob,

    The only concern with the aluminium is if it will distort under load.

    The gantry will be 1200mm long.

    Brenton

  7. #6
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Clubman7 View Post
    May have to double two pieces of 100 x 50 and get them welded together.
    This may be the go. I will be getting the front of the final product milled square anyway so this is possibly a cheaper alternative.

  8. #7
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    Brenton,

    My friend young Rod has utilised an extruded aluminium beam on his machine. Maybe something similar is an option?

    https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...77#post1454277



    Bob.

  9. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Anorak Bob View Post
    Brenton,

    My friend young Rod has utilised an extruded aluminium beam on his machine. Maybe something similar is an option?

    https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...77#post1454277



    Bob.
    Bob,

    My original design had considered this but the distortion worries me.

    In Rods machine he looks to have encased the alu extrusion in aluminium plate which certainly would have strengthened the gantry up but I am guessing it wasn't cheap for all that alu

    Brenton

  10. #9
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    Hi Brenton,
    Ally extrusion is best for the gantry beam due to a number of issues.
    Welded steel requires stress relief then one or two faces machined flat for the linear rails to be mounted. Weight is also a consideration if steel is gong to be used. Depending on your design the gantry is usually the heaviest moving element.

    The beam in the photo is 1200 long and has an internal structure to keep it from twisting. There are no additional plates fixed to it and the beams are flat enough to bolt the rails to without further machining.

    Here
    is a supplier that is reasonably priced for big ally beams.
    Cheers,
    Rod

  11. #10
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    Rod,
    What size was you extrusion? 80x160?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  12. #11
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    Can you also elaborate on the internal structure in your gantry?


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  13. #12
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    Brenton: a square beam will be much stiffer. I'm just finishing my router using a 200x200x6mm beam.

    You have to resist vertical forces (weight of Z axis, gravity, plunging), horizontal forces (cutting forward and back) and twisting forces. A 200x50 beam is only good for resisting vertical forces and will be poor at resisting the others.

    Can you post some images of your design?

  14. #13
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    Brenton,
    The size of beam on that machine is 120 by 80 and is adequate for 1200mm span and that design. I pointed you to ally 160 by 80 beam as it was closest to the steel 200 by 50 beam you were suggesting.
    The thread that Bob pointed to will have all the build detail about the machine.

    Mechanically that machine is as good as it was built after 3,000 hrs of sometimes heavy cutting including up to 40mm ally plate.

    A point to note is if you are after a 1200 cut then your gantry beam needs to be about 1500mm as is you linear rails. You will understand that as the build progresses.

    Sadly the electronics let out smoke a couple of weeks ago and not knowing the cause of the problem I am replacing all electronics, stepper motors and re-wiring to make sure it is reliable again. Expensive but I am satisfied I got value out of the old electronics.
    Cheers,
    Rod

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