Table Coming Together! - QLD, Australia

[BooY]

Hey all,

Quick introductions, I'm Dave from Brissy Australia. Long time reader but am finally ready to take the 1st steps in my own CNC

I am totally new to this sort of thing but do have a strong interest in computers and electronics, work background is a Instrument/Electrical Tech, but no CNC experience.

I am looking forward to the journey of building my very own mechmate, and know both Tony and Paul #71/#72 from another hobby fourm in the marine fish world :)

Looking to mainly use the machine for some wood and acrylic fabrication, with the possible occasional alimininum cut here and there.

I'm thinking to go a 10x5' or 10x4' table to suit a full 8x4 sheet, and have room for an indexer at the end later.

But for now,
Step 0 read read and read some more haha
Step 1 is to ge the plans and print.


Cheers
Dave

[Quadro]

Welcome and good luck with your build.

[AuS MaDDoG]

Welcome Dave, you finally made it here!!
You might also want to read and check out Surfcnc's thread, Ross is another fellow MM'er here in Brissie so you have a few of us around.
Please feel free to drop me a note if you ever want to catch up :D always happy for a chat !!
Once again welcome and I look forward to following your build.

Cheers
Tony.

[MetalHead]

Welcome to the team !!!

[BooY]

Quick question just looking into prices of stuff through work, how many metres of cables is generally used roughly in the runs for the motors (the 4C screened cable).

I realise it differs depending on table size etc i'm just after a rough meterage that anyone has found it to take. 50-100m?

Cheers
Dave

[AuS MaDDoG]

Dave,

One thing you will need to familirise yourself with, is posting in the correct section of the forum, try this one (http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2) for your motor cable question.

Most of the answers to your questions will be in the threads, the trick is to read and read some more and if you cannot find your answer I am sure someone will help you out pretty quickly.

Cheers
Tony.

[Surfcnc]

Greetings Dave

Building our machines has been very rewarding for the Brisbane guys.
You got plenty of time to figure the cable runs, buy the plans from Metalhead Mike and know them backwards is the best advice I can give.

Your build coast will be around twice the cheap build costs you might read about from USA builders and of course plenty of time building.
Surprisingly sourcing and shopping takes up big lumps of additional time.

Regards
Ross

[BooY]

So its been awhile since I've posted, but I haven't disappeared, I've been searching for distributors for various parts and getting prices on bits n pieces.

I've also started on the electronics side of things, I picked up 2x 3/4 part rolls of VSD cable from my work for cheap which should be more than enough when it comes time to wire up the motors.

http://daveshotit.com/mechmate/Electronics/07.jpg

I've also ordered and received my motors, I went for 5x PK299 F4.5A motors with the intention to use one as a indexer motor on a spare lathe that I picked up for free.

http://daveshotit.com/mechmate/Electronics/03.jpg

http://daveshotit.com/mechmate/Electronics/04.jpg

http://daveshotit.com/mechmate/Electronics/06.jpg

and I've started building up the base layout for the control box.
I have 5 203v gecko drivers with PMDX-133 cards going to a PMDX-126 BOB.
I'm using a 500VA 35V transformer to power the motors, with the PMDX-135 rectifier.

I'm will also be running a 24v system for all the control circuit, this will power the coil for the main contactor as well as run the start/stop/emerg stop buttons etc.

http://daveshotit.com/mechmate/Electronics/01.jpg

http://daveshotit.com/mechmate/Electronics/02.jpg

http://daveshotit.com/mechmate/Electronics/05.jpg

and thats all for now, I have a ethernet smooth stepper attached to the bob and with any luck i'll have enough time to finish mounting everything up and wire it with within the next 2-3 weeks work pending

Thanks
Dave

[zumergido]

great job on the electronics.
but you havent start the fun part.. metal work. lets do some sparks.

[AuS MaDDoG]

Yep !!

Come on Dave, where is the steel? Get this Aussie MM show on the road mate !!

Cheers
Tony

[Surfcnc]

Good to see some quality parts going in, that always pays off over time.

Ross

[BooY]

Calm down there Tony :p I've been flat out with work and the settlement of our new land :)
I also had the wrong contactor sent of which i didn't realise until i powered up (24v AC coil instead of DC) whihc i'm waiting to get replaced so I bypassed it (messy wiring thanks to it haha) to give the motors a test and tune the drivers
http://daveshotit.com/mechmate/Electronics/09.jpg

I'm working on the table bom atm and will order the steel as soon as I can, and when the weather decides we can have a break.

Am looking at a similar table layout as you had Tony, but with a space for an indexer at the end sort of like these quick renders
http://daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/render_plan1.jpeg
http://daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/render_plan2.jpeg

[AuS MaDDoG]

Haha Dave !!

No excuses excepted here mate:D all we want is to see things progress with plenty of build pics along the way:p I hope your land settlement all went ok and I guess I can see a big large shed developing along the way somewhere to house big old MM.

Good luck with it all
Cheers
Tony.

[BooY]

OK Tony, no excuses. I think i have all the measurements sorted now



X Beams x2 X + 600 = 3600mmPFC 200x75


X Lower Cross Beam x4(X - 500 -75) /2 = 1212mm 40x40x3mm RHS



X Steel rail x2X + 960 = 3960mmAngle Iron 65x50x6mm


X Diagonal Brace x41300mm40x40x3mm RHS


Y Steel Rail x2Y + 860 = 2360mmAngle Iron 65x50x6mm


Y Cross Beam x9 Y + 420 = 1920mmPFC 75x40 with 367.75 hole spaceing



Y Lower/Upper Cross Beam x6Y + 396 - 38 -38 = 1820mm40x40x3mm RHS


Y Diagonal Brace x6500 mm 40x40x3mm RHS


Table Legs x6720mmPFC 75x40


Gantry Rails x2Y + 500 = 2000mm100 x 50 x 3mm RHS

Plus left over steel I already have around to build what will be the indexer platform

Which if I didn't screw up should give me something looking like this
http://www.daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/render_plan3.jpeg

[Andrew_standen]

Will keep watching, just started my build. !

[BooY]

so delivery came today :D Thanks heaps to Rick Nixon for quick delivery

http://www.daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/Laser_Parts1.jpg

http://www.daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/Laser_Parts2.jpg

And steel has been ordered ETA is ment to be friday. the Z slide has also been ordered

[pblackburn]

Dave,
Like the picture of the foot to show the scale of the parts. :D
Slow and steady will always get it done. Looks good so far.

[BooY]

and steel delivery has arrived :D

Effort and a half however to move it off the front lawn into the carport solo lol

http://www.daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/Steel.jpg

http://www.daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/Steel2.jpg

[BooY]

Have started welding up the Frames for the legs. next will be to cut the main X beam angle and end plates

http://www.daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/Build_01_Legs.jpg

http://www.daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/Build_02_Legs.jpg

[Tom Ayres]

Looks like you're moving along just fine. Looking good :cool:

[BooY]

Just came in side for a quick water break and thought i might do a quick update, its been pritty hot round here last couple of days.

http://www.daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/Build_03_Table.jpg

http://www.daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/Build_04_Table.jpg

http://www.daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/Build_05_Table.jpg

http://www.daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/Build_06_Table.jpg

and the obligatory bad welding photo

http://www.daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/Build_07_Table.jpg

Cheers Dave

[BooY]

and last photos of end of days work

http://www.daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/Build_08_Table.jpg

http://www.daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/Build_09_Table.jpg

[Tom Ayres]

I see how you sex it up with a few palms in the background, I'm jealous, nothing but snow on the ground here. Good work.

[pblackburn]

At least you can definitely say you don't have any gas leaks, I usually use soap bubbles. :)

Looks great though. I did not get enough pictures to show my progress. It is great that you post them. Keep up the great work.

[Andrew_standen]

Water break ?:eek:
I just came in for a warm water break to warm my hands up !:D
minus 1 here, cold steel isn't nice to play with.
Wishing it was warmer here.
Good luck with your build.
what size was that inverter welder in the photos ?

Cheers
Andrew

[BooY]

Haha Pete, I'd usually use snoop to check for leaks. But to be sure I turned off the bottles before welding and threw a kevlar/fibreglass welding mat over them before welding that corner.


bad luck with the -1 temps there Andrew, we are 28-32C pritty constantly but the humidity kills you more than the temp.

The welder is a 170amp uni mig, the welder at work recommended it as a decent portable unit so got one in for me at trade price couple of years ago :)

http://www.unimig.com.au/catalogue_product.asp?product=49&category=2&subcategory=19 <--- thats it there if you wanna see the specs

[BooY]

quick photo update

http://www.daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/Build_10_Table.jpg
http://www.daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/Build_11_Table.jpg

[pblackburn]

I was just picking. Looks like you are coming along well. I started mine in the cold weather and was dragging in and out of the snow to weld it. I used a bolt together design because I will be moving it in the future and I needed to fit out the doorway. It was hard enough to move by myself. I admire all of you that weld solid and move them.

[BooY]

Y supports, end caps and leg caps welded in. now ready to flip over

http://www.daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/Build_12_Table.jpg
http://www.daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/Build_13_Table.jpg

[AuS MaDDoG]

Hi Dave,

I am impressed !! :D coming along very nicely.

Cheers
Tony.

[Andrew_standen]

Hi Dave,

All looking good there, I know how hot it can get in Brisbane.
My grandfather lived out in Brisbane a long time ago, I stayed with him when Cyclone Wanda hit.... can't remember when that was.. 1975 I think ! a long time ago.

Any way I've been busy drilling the Z slide, should have that all completed this weekend, then its on to the welding of the spider.

Good luck with your build.

Cheers
Andrew

[BooY]

So i've got a bit more done recently, although not as fast as i'd would of liked but I haven't disapeared.

I now have the y car and gantry all welded up. the spindle has arrived, vfd is on order, my V bearings have arrived, and I've almost finished cutting down my rails to size ready to grind the V into them.

the rails I've cut so far have a .25-.5mm variance in height straight from the cutting discs. I'm hoping doing a grinding pass on them can smooth that out.

what variation is acceptable in the heights across the rail?

and is needs be is it ok for me to grind them down to 27-27.5 to get them perfect?

http://daveshotit.com/mechmate/Gantry/20130602_124428.jpg

http://daveshotit.com/mechmate/Gantry/20130602_124441.jpg

http://daveshotit.com/mechmate/Table/Build_14_Table.jpg

[pblackburn]

We all have unscheduled breaks in our build time. It is inevitable. Just stay with it and it will be done.

[BooY]

Ok so i have a question.
I may have screwed the 1st X rail that i started cutting last night, note to self dont rush things at the end of the day to get it in before light fades.

I went out to continue this afternoon and have found that i must have been sleeping while cutting and have a 600mm section that has been cut to 24.5mm

Is this going to be a throw away angle now, or can i still get away with 24 if using the metric rail?

thanks
Dave

[KenC]

I checked on my MM & it seems that you can get away with 24mm rail, but the slot on the swing plat will be pretty close to the bottom.
IMHO, just dump the last rail & start a fresh. those angle doesn't cost an arm or leg, take that as a practice round :)

[Tom Ayres]

Also make sure your grinder set-up hasn't changed so you don't do it again. Maybe something loosened.

[pblackburn]

Another option is to change to hardened V-rails and and adapt as the cut off height needs to be lower to use the hardened V-rails. The cost is more but gives a long lasting running surface. Here in the US it was less than $300USD for me to do all of my axes. Only problem is you have to cut the rails with a cut off wheel. Tooth blades will not even mark the running profile only the mounting section is soft. I do not know the availability in your area so I would agree with Ken that new angle would be the best option.

[litemover]

Dont make the same mistake I did, be sure to use a large base melamine jig instead of just the laser cut plate with 4 bolts and take at least 25-30 passes on the cut. Very light cuts until you see smoke on the other side.