Building a CNC Machine - The Frame

Building the frame is about to be realised. I have recently discovered the very potent and extreamly easy Google Sketchup 3D drawing program, and therefore made a 3D model of all the components I have collected till now, and se how I would visualize the CNC at current stage.

Please not that the drawing is not finished, as I dont know the extual dimentions of the Y axis as I dont have them yet.. But they will come. - And the gantry will be mounted where it is now. it will be more to the center.. 

Please ask if you would like the Sketchup file (.skp), and have a look through the 3D drawing your self. 

First G-code controlled moves.. making a simple square in mid air..

Yes, the first cut was done today in Aluminium, I recieved the endmills I ordered from Ebay, and they a 4 flutes endmills.

The result of the first cuts, sorry about the focus, but the camera is not good at taking pictures of objects close to the lens. I think the result os ok, but my final verdict will come when I have a solid metal plate as X-Plane, instead of the 10mm wood board that I currently have!!! but it cuts, and its the wood that gives way when I turn up the speed of the axis.. Enjoy:

Yes I know its not much, but its only the 10mm cut at the end of the bar. (-:

Some tests with weight on the X plane: in the first video im running with velocity of 153 mm/2 and an acceleration of 500 mm/s^2. The load on the x-plane is from a solid cast iron flat + sulid metal fixture (21Kg) and 2 weights waying each 5 kg (10Kg) so that is in total of 31 Kg. (Not coundig the plane, metal wise and the linear bearing trains.)

Second video I didnt write down the data, but  its probably not far from the above - Using EMC Stepconf program to cycle the plane

X - Axis frame.

The frame tubes have been recieved, and I just got the angle brackets, so I can start to weld up the X-frame:

Finished welding on the brackets.to the top tubes.

Using a polished solid table plate as "true flat surface" on top of the metal "true flat" you see above. This is because I dont have a "true flat surface" of this size, so Ill have to do with what I have. It actually turned out ok, but the final trimming will be done when the linear bearings is going to be mounted.

Making threads to hold the x-axis thrust bearing, and making the motor mount, to also accomodate belt tention adjustment.

Next will be mounting the linear bearings. The top of the x-frame will not be machined to true flat due to its size, but instead the linear bearings will be mounted on nuts that is individually welded on to the frame, so the linear bearings will be tightent on to these nuts. The nuts are adjusted and alligned carefulle before welding. This will come soon... But first the moving x-surface needs to be made and mounted on the rail trains.

Making connectors for each motor on a front plate for easy and controllable access.

Y - Axis frame

This is the Raw Y-frame mounted on the X frame, just for measure and checking for compatinility. It seems perfect for holding the Z axis.

Preparinng the Y-Axis rails by fitting small welding pads with thread in it on each rail hole. onec fittec it wil be layed down on the frame, and spot welded and checked.. and finally wielded firm on all pads. 

Now the rails have been mounted on the Y-Frame.

Trying the Z-axis on the Y-frame, nd se if it fits.. it fits perfectly..

Trying the complete Y-frame on the X-axis. Please note the mounting brackets at the bottom of the Y frame to add stiffness to the mounting point, but also to make the hight adjustable if needed some time in the future..

The bearig holder clamp for the Y-frame..

Z - Axis frame

So the frame will be made up over a set of box tubes, that is very solid, and light. this will be rigid enough for the Z-Axis.

The box tubes is cut out to hold the top and bottom ends - 16 M6 threads were cut to make the frame rigid.. The hole at the top til hold the ballscrew.

   The structure assembled.

  Mounting the linear bearings, and a bearing clamp for the leadscrew end support. On the backside you can se the holes that is used to access the screws for mounting the linear bearing. 

The Z axis is finally finished, and this is the result:

Here you see where the limit switchedis going to be placed. They are not mounted, because from now on this item is going to be carried areound and trial fitted many places, and those fragile plastic switches breaks first time I place the Z axis on its back.. will first be mounted when the Z axis has a Y axis to go on to.

Fully extracted upwards.(The CNC motor is mounted at the top of the Z-axis)

Fully stretched downwards.(The CNC motor is mounted at the top of the Z-axis)

The total Z-axis including the 220V motor and the part that needs to be static on the Yaxis weighs about 14 Kg. From the feel of moving the motor when the toothbelt is on, I dont think it will be a problem to move the Z-axis up and down - if it does I have some good ideas to how to eliminate this. 

Ofcource there will be some minor things to do like brackets for the motor power connector so it will not wave around, and wire guides for the switches etc., but this will come at the final part of assembly.

Some misc. pictures...

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Email me at - kimfmx@gmail.com