- Joined
- Jun 11, 2006
- Messages
- 8,650
So as most of you know I have been building a CNC plasma table. I figured it was time to atleast get a WIP thread started. The design is kind of a work in progress. I make changes as I go along. Usaly nothing major just tweaks. So let’s get into it.
First up is the general table style. Most tables have a gantry that spans the narrow axis which is usaly y axis. But I did not want to rails and an upright in the way of where I would be standing. So I came up with this over hanging style.
Once I got the general idea down on how I wanted it I started researching components and ordering.
This is the rails for the X axis. Thy are 1800mm long and 20mm diamater.
The table is driven by stepper motors through 1:5 gear boxes on gear racks. Here is the rack I settled on. It’s a 16 pitch 14.5° rack.
I then got all my electrical stuff ordered. Got it all spread out and wiredup on the living room floor and then the wife kicked me out into the man cave lol.
I went with a masso controller because it does not need a computer. Just plug in a screen and keyboard. Kinda pricy($600) but so far I like it.
Figured it was time to actually start building so I started on the Y axis. Being smaller it will let me iron out my build process befor I do the long X axis.
I went with a 2x4” aluminum tube instead of the 4x4 steel tube I was planning on. I needed to reduce weight and minimize whip of the end when it stops. More on that latter. But man thy don’t give this stuff away.
Next I laid out the Y axis rails thy are the same style as the X axis but 12mm.
Busted out the drill and tap and started the long process of hand tapping a billion holes.
These are the planetary gear boxes I bought. I lucked out and got them as a set used. Normaly these would cost more then I would ever be able to afford.
The input side matched my stepper motor but the the shaft was diffrent size. So I made a split bushing to take up the difference.
Fits like a glove
I then revived my z axis and was more then happy with it. High end system just needing a stepper motor. Man I love eBay lol.
I decided to use carbon fiber to mount the z axis to the axis sliders.
Then drilled for all the screw holes.
Around this time my z axis coupler was delivered.
Of corse I had to get the stainless version, facepalm lol.
Then get it bolted up. I also bolted the stepper motor to the Axis.
This is where I’m going to leave it for now. I will be back later to give you more juicy details.
First up is the general table style. Most tables have a gantry that spans the narrow axis which is usaly y axis. But I did not want to rails and an upright in the way of where I would be standing. So I came up with this over hanging style.
Once I got the general idea down on how I wanted it I started researching components and ordering.
This is the rails for the X axis. Thy are 1800mm long and 20mm diamater.
The table is driven by stepper motors through 1:5 gear boxes on gear racks. Here is the rack I settled on. It’s a 16 pitch 14.5° rack.
I then got all my electrical stuff ordered. Got it all spread out and wiredup on the living room floor and then the wife kicked me out into the man cave lol.
I went with a masso controller because it does not need a computer. Just plug in a screen and keyboard. Kinda pricy($600) but so far I like it.
Figured it was time to actually start building so I started on the Y axis. Being smaller it will let me iron out my build process befor I do the long X axis.
I went with a 2x4” aluminum tube instead of the 4x4 steel tube I was planning on. I needed to reduce weight and minimize whip of the end when it stops. More on that latter. But man thy don’t give this stuff away.
Next I laid out the Y axis rails thy are the same style as the X axis but 12mm.
Busted out the drill and tap and started the long process of hand tapping a billion holes.
These are the planetary gear boxes I bought. I lucked out and got them as a set used. Normaly these would cost more then I would ever be able to afford.
The input side matched my stepper motor but the the shaft was diffrent size. So I made a split bushing to take up the difference.
Fits like a glove
I then revived my z axis and was more then happy with it. High end system just needing a stepper motor. Man I love eBay lol.
I decided to use carbon fiber to mount the z axis to the axis sliders.
Then drilled for all the screw holes.
Around this time my z axis coupler was delivered.
Of corse I had to get the stainless version, facepalm lol.
Then get it bolted up. I also bolted the stepper motor to the Axis.
This is where I’m going to leave it for now. I will be back later to give you more juicy details.
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