hi newbie from France
 

Hi everybody !!!

I'm Romain, i live in France (sorry for my bad english) and i'm 26.

I discover this forum and the MechMate concept a few days ago. It is an amazing concept, and the most incredible is that you share the technical datas. After some days spent on the web, i must say that MechMate look like the best self builder CNC router.


So, I would like build my own CNC router, but why ? In fact, i work as designer in a french little group (120 persons) and we produce signs for famous french compagnies like Citroën (car). But when we answer on an invitation to tender, we must in the most of case provide a prototype and unfortunatly for me, i know how does it work the CNC router of my workshop compagny. We have already one like this (working size are 4020x2060):
Attachment 7183

But you'll tell me : what's the problem ? what wrong? The problem is that i have much difficulties to produce my prototype during the working hours because of the CNC's overload in work. So i cut my prototype before and after the working hours. And my wife begin to be very angry:mad:!!! Then, with an other CNC router in my workshop, i will make my produce during normal hour.

But it's not the only reason, i really like make the thongs by myself, and i beleive that build a CNC router is a very good exercice.

Now i start to draw my CNC on solidworks ( thanks to the very good and very complete technical data) to understand all the different parts.

I'll probably have a lot of questions during my project and i know that here is the best place to answer, and the first question i have is what are you thinking if the grantry will be in aluminium ? it will be lighter, so the inertia should less important and the acceleration of the gantry should be more import. Of course the size of the beam pearhaps should be a thicker and higher, to keep the grantry's rigidity.

Well, i hope that you 'll understand me with all my grammar faults.

Thank's a lot !!!:)

Hi Romain, welcome!

Aluminium is 3 times more flexible than steel. I am sure that your other CMC machines at your company have steel gantries. So, I am not a supporter of aluminium used for the main parts of machine and woodworking tools. If you have problems to move the inertia of steel parts, then you need bigger motors.....not lighter and more flexible parts.

Hi Romain.
Welcome
I'm learning much technical English here.

hi Gerald,

Thanks for your reply, i except this type of answer. i have to ask... So i'm proceeding to draw my Mechmate. I don't kown if i draw an 1550x2050 working table (half of european standard PMMA sheet) or a 2050x3050 working table. The cost won't be the same. I think that i do the 2 quotations and after i'll decide.

hi Romain!!! and welcome aboard!!
bienvenue a toi!!!

Hello Romain,

welcome and good luck with your build.
Can´t wait to see first pictures.

Claus

hello,

i still continue to draw my mechmate, and now i have some difficulties to found rack section 15x15 but i found some with 10x10 section. Does it matter ?

ok i virtually begin the mount of the different part. I must say that this concept is so good. All is good thinking. I continue

Attachment 7244

Attachment 7245

Hello Romain,

If you go for Module 1 Rack then it should be 15 mm !
I also ordered my racks and pinions Mod1 and they came with a 15 mm width.
It should be 15mm. This is the right dimension.

I also was confused because I thought Mod1 is 10mm and Mod1.5 should be 15mm and so on.
Truth is I have seen Rack Data sheets where Mod 1 is 10mm and other 15 mm, Mod1.5 is 15 mm and others 17,5. Confusing right?
Maybe my dealer made a mistake but it came out ok.

BTW your drawings looks nice. You should also think about stiffen the legs with braces on Y axes.
bye

thanks Claus for this advice. Where should you place the braces on the Y axe ?

Hello Romain,

You have also lateral forces created by the Y Car, thats why I thought it good to have strenghten also the table in y axis.
Attachment 7251

It is the Cross Angle Brace 10 10 304 S.

Greetings
Claus

ok thank you for this remark, i'll add in my sketch

Hello,

just some news, now i don't really have some time to continue my plan because i'm very busy at work so i come back home very late.

But i continue my search of an equivalent of Geeko stepper motor drive and i find this reference http://www.soprolec.com/catalog/prod...roducts_id=83I. My stepper motor will be the PK296AE-SG7.2 for all the axis. Can Anybody tell me if this stepping driver is the good one :confused:?

Thanks for your reply.

:)

Hello Romain,

Why bother with this drive when you can buy the proven Gecko 203 for 147 euro? Good luck with your build.

Polder

Nice, I like the ability to takes AC and hence save the time & $ to build a DC power supply. Mind you, the 22,000uf 100V + crimp terminals, cost me about $60.
Comes with proper heatsink & casing, in my opinion should be compulsory.
I would give it a try if its more economical. say half the price...

Of course, there are many other options available, like what they say, add a different color spot on a canvas & you will get a colorful picture after some time. Keep exploring if you have the time.

I wouldn't rule out Chinese stuff, they really gave their competitors a good run for the money.