I was hoping to see about 200 versions of OpenRail CNC machines by now. I just couldn't wait anymore, so here goes my build. Here are some pictures of what it's looking like. Attached files LS_OpenRail_CNC_V15.skp (4.6 MB)Â
Nice start to a great project. If you don't mind me asking, what was the total cost for the aluminum extrusions? I think all of us out here will learn a lot from each other if more projects like this get posted. Keep up the great work. Cheers. GHB
Thanks George! This is a very mechanically challenging project. I'm really enjoying it. The Misumi extrusion was about $340. And the 2 pieces of 1530 8020 was $90. Around $430 total.
WOW! Love it LaVerne! Its beautiful We will be watching this bad boy come together Thank you for sharing and keep up the good work Mark and Trish BTW How does the gantry roll so far? I love that you are using multiple wheels it will make a big difference in the over all strength and precision for the machine. Us too I think we will in a a short while
Thanks Mark! I am pleasantly surprised at how smooth the gantry rolls. When I first set the Y bar/roller assembly onto the X rails, I thought there might be some side play. But, it is rock solid and I did not have to crank down on the eccentric nuts to make it that way. I'm liking the OpenRail/V Bearing idea! I'm going thru the frame now and making sure it's square from all angles and diagonals. This is a great project to be working on.
How much "extra" space do you need around the edges for mechanical clearance? Say I want to be able to cut a full sheet of Depron and be able to go edge to edge, How much extra do I need to plan for to make the bed large enough? I love the looks of this build! Did you make a set of plans or are you planning as you build?
In my version, there is 54" between the inside of the side rails. With that distance, I should be able to cut up to 46" wide. The bed will allow me to slip in a 4' x 8' piece of material. For me, this isn't a plan as you go project. I made a 3D drawing of the whole thing. Pieces that I did not determine with the drawing were the spacers used on the gantry/X Rail assembly. For the most part, it's going together like the drawing suggests. The Misumi extrusion comes cut to the length you specify. A BIG pleasant surprise was that the frame end pieces that set the width and the length of the gantry Y bars were measured via the drawing. For example, frame end pieces were 1,371mm and the Y bar was 1,441 mm in length. And the gantry bearings rolled right onto the X rail! I'll post a copy of the drawing soon.
Hello, You are doing a fantastic job and and I am totally impressed with all you guys that can design these things and have them come out looking and working great. For those of us that are not good enough to to the design part will there be a kit version or a detailed log with parts and pics?? I want to get there with being able to do the design but it is taking me some time to learn. I do love the builds and and the machines themselves. You guys are totally impress me and are awesome at what you do and it shows in your designs and builds. Thanks, Nitro
IM BREATHLESS -ALL I CAN SAY IS :alien: -SO VERY AWESOME :fantastic: -HAPPY VALENTINE DAY :inlove: -GREAT JOB
KX-5 look great. I am drawing one up right now that is somewhat the same. Where did you order your stepper/driver package from if you don't mind me asking. It looks like much heavier motors than Mark is carrying at this time. By the way nice job with the drawing also. Thanks Ron
Thanks for all the comments and encouragement. As thunder hawk said in a earlier post, we all hope to learn things from others here. So feel free to ask questions. For most of us, this project is treading in new waters. Other than building the PhlatPrinter I (which I used for 4 years!), this is a big step in a project of this type. Many lessons to learn as we go. Ron, to answer your question, the steppers are 270oz units. I felt the extra weight of the gantry could use some more horsepower. The complete gantry weighs about 50lbs. The complete stepper kit came from this website: http://www.automationtechnologiesinc.co ... axis-kit-3
Check out http://buildyourcnc.com/electronicscombo.aspx there steppers are 425 oz. for just a tiny bit more
Posting some progress pictures of the stepper system. Working on this made me really appreciate all the work Mark did to tell us how to wire and setup a PhlatPrinter. I spent 2 days and 2 evenings getting this system to work on the bench. First problem I encountered was the wiring diagram I got from the site I purchased the kit from. And found the same diagram on 2 other sites. Could not get anything to happen. Then I noticed on the breakout board the site CNC4PCS.com. I downloaded their diagram for the same kit but it was different. And, finally, the new diagram fired up the 3 main steppers. It took another couple nights of researching forums and experimenting with Mach3 setup and I got the 4th stepper to work. This is the A axis and is a slave to the X axis stepper. I setup up the E-stop switch, and a sample limit switch while it's all on the bench. I ran a couple cut files thru it and just love the sounds those 4 steppers make. My next steps are to add adjustable legs to the frame. That will be a weekend project. Then after the legs are installed, the frame leveled, and the gantry components squared, I'll add the steppers to the mix. I'm getting somewhat excited now. Attached files
Looking great LaVerne! Now that the hard part is out of the way (I always dread the wiring of a project) Your going to fly though the rest of this build! Your set up looks nice a clean. Keep up the good work and thanks for the props my friend. Mark and Trish
Here's the next part of the build. The making and installing of the adjustable legs. This is not a high tech leg design. But, the components were not expensive and I am pleased with the stability. Attached files
More leg assembly. One thing I've learned is the OpenRail t-nut is your friend. I really like how versatile they are for attaching parts other than the OpenRail component. You can see in one of the pictures below that the support straps used the bolts that also mounted the wood block. Attached files
Wow! looks great LaVerne! You are rock and rolling on this build Keep up the good work! Mark and Trish
LaVerne, that looks totally AWESOME!!! I just love the adjustable legs idea. I hope you don't mind if I steal it for my next project.