Mechmate difference from 2006

[WTI]

Way back in 2006 I had the laser cut parts made and they have been sitting on a pallet at the top of my rack.

Fast forward to March of 2012 and I may actually be so far ahead of production that I might indeed have time to put my Mechmate together.

Any critical changes that came with the newer "Mamba" version that I should be aware of?

I seem to remember that there were some E-chain changes...anything else?

[smreish]

James,
The key differences that I can remember (since I have built machines with both parts)

- No y-car Cable chain attachment for the x axis chain.
- No x-axis cable chain supports
- Motor plates are most likely the "universal type" and they work perfectly for any scenario.
- The spider for the z axis will most likely only have markings for 4 bearings, not the 6 as noted in the Mamba set. BUT, a little extra layout and you will be able to locate those and add them for the extended option.
- the proximity sensor hole on the y-car may have to be enlarged
- the spring hold down location for the z-axis motor may or may not be marked/drilled on the y-car
- The y-car side plates are handed and must be located on the correct side of the car.
- the "skate" may or may not be included in your laser set depending on the date you had your parts issued.

...that's about all I can remember about now.

All of the notations are very simple changes and won't require any real difference in the build.

[WTI]

Thank you Sean!


I'm OK with no skate, as I found a machine shop with a Horizontal Mill. That is a machine that was born to make rails all day long. I'm making a few extra lengths and putting them away for future replacements.

[revved_up]

James, care to share the name of the shop you found. every shop I talked to said that they're mills could only cut 18" at a time and would be unable to get a consistant edge the full length.

[WTI]

Craig, I think the shop is called X-type, it's a prototype shop that a friend works at.

Indeed, he said his horizontal mill only has 48" of travel, but he said that the overlap joints will be better than the mill scale on the bottom of the rails.

PM me your phone number if you want him to run some rails for you at the same time. I'm sure the more rails we make, the better the price will be.

[MetalHead]

I can hook you up with most of the parts changes.

[Gerald D]

The old motor plates were for a rail height of 25mm if I recall correctly.

[WTI]

The old motor plates were for a rail height of 25mm if I recall correctly.

Would we need to make new motor plates for the difference?

Or just weld and re drill the old ones?

[smreish]

If you use a 20T pinion the old plates work with the Mamba rail height.
The 30T to 35T pinions don't swing far enough out of the way or allow engagement.
I used the 20T pinions with the universal plates and Gearmotor without an issues with the new rail height. I was the Guinea pig.

[MetalHead]

What motors are you using? I have extra motor plates.

[WTI]

We have the OM geared 7.2s with the Boston Gear YA30 pinions.

[MetalHead]

I can hook you up with a set of motor plates no problem. I'll PM you

[DocTanner]

The original motor plates work well with the old rail height. I use the OM 7.2 and 30 tooth pinion.

[Gerald D]

Don! You are making a rare appearance here - nice to see you again!

For the rest who don't know Don, he was the first guy to get his own MM cutting, and would have had #1 if he had wanted it.

[smreish]

Don!
Rare appearance indeed. So good to see you sir!

[revved_up]

Fabrica and Don in the same week. going to have to start an alumni reunion thread soon. :D