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Message |
    
linus
Registered
Username: Linus1
Post Number: 1
Registered: 01-2007
| | Posted on Friday, March 09, 2007 - 11:22 am: | 
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Hi all ...
Quick intro : My name is Linus - location: JHB.SA.
I've started to order components after talking to Gerald the other day.
Again: Thanks Gerald - Your machine represents a rational solution to cost effective business.
To the other members of this forum - thank you too .
Now for my first problem... The motors (PK296A1A-SG7.2 x 4 ) - there is a local agent(Varispeed)who I have just spoken to on the phone.
Whilst they are helpful people I can't help but feel that I am going to end up waiting for them to import the units themselves and then charge me for their hand in the process. (they don't carry stock)
Perhaps it is just my professional cynicism after many years of butting heads with local suppliers but I'm wary to say the least, though hopeful.
What I'm really doing, I suppose, is finding out if there are any other people in my situation who could ease my burden, or similarly, is there someone who would like to piggy back on my efforts who needs goodies in JHB?
I have sourced a good supply for laser cut and bend - Approx R1400 for the set - all bent up - they're just waiting for my call to go ahead.
As far as gecko 203's - Greg at CNC direct has an order on the water, as well as being able to supply handsome power supply components, the Mach breakout board, rack and pinions and a few other odds and ends. Helpful,friendy guy.
I have played a little with the imservice components and have a servo driven sherline mill, which I used to learn the game a little. So building power supplies, playing with the software , getting stability from a laptop etc.. has all been done before - and it's sooo worth it.
I'm very excited to be getting on with the Mechmate project and will be uploading pics, resources etc. as I go along.
Regards to all.
Linus |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 1131
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 09, 2007 - 12:32 pm: |
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Welcome Linus!
I found a friend in the USA who could build a crate, had a telephone and could type out an invoice. Then I did all the on-line shopping and gave his address as the delivery address. He assembled the stack of parcels, built a crate around them, got a DHL quote, added his crating and a small profit and then typed an invoice. I paid him via bank transfer then he phoned DHL to collect. All went very smoothly. |
linus
Registered
Username: Linus1
Post Number: 2
Registered: 01-2007
| | Posted on Friday, March 09, 2007 - 04:56 pm: |
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Hi Gerald ...
I like what you have done to import the components but I'm afraid I am not connected in the USA - never having visited the country myself.
I did get a price from Varispeed in Jhb after my post earlier ... and I'm afraid that I may abuse the spirit of this forum when I warn you that it just isn't a good idea when they want to charge R5700 (US$780) plus 14% VATax each - 5-6 weeks delivery.... (triple the US web retail price)
...not only will this use up the entire budget for the machine but it's also a plain insult to expect locals to swallow this profiteering.
Subsequently I am at a dead end regarding my resources... Oriental USA and europe refer me to the local agents, which seems to be a joke...
Moan moan moan ... I know ...I'm just frustrated.
Is there anyone out there, perhaps in the USA that could help me with a shipment, or just refer me to a retailer that will help out at reasonable rates?
Shipping seems cheap to me now...
Regards
Linus |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 1133
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 09, 2007 - 05:31 pm: |
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I walked that same path. It is criminal what some agents do to their principal's products out here. You can bet that Oriental Motor sells nothing to the growing local OEM market, which is probably the reason they gave an agency in the first place. |
Mike Richards
Registered
Username: Richards
Post Number: 84
Registered: 05-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 - 06:06 am: |
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Gerald,
I've never exported anything commercially from the U.S.A. before, but if you'll send me an email that tells me what to do and whom to contact, I'll see if I can help out.
The last time I checked, the quantity-one price from Oriental Motors for a PK296A1A-SG7.2 was $257 plus shipping. (They offer free shipping within the US for prepaid orders until March 31, 2007, but that won't help those of you living in other areas.) |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 1134
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 - 09:12 am: |
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Mike, that is kind of you. Being an unlicenced freight agent can be risky though.... You become the official exporter, and you are responsible for any "contraband" that the shipment may contain. In the bad old days, anything with which one could remotely build weapon systems was not allowed to flow from the USA to South Africa without special paperwork. (We may not export automatic pool cleaners, gold, diamonds etc., without special licences...)
The correct name for this type of service is "consolidation", as done by "freight consolidators", but they normally operate on a much bigger scale. |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 1135
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 - 05:23 pm: |
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A starting point for potential exporters: What is an Export License and do all U.S. exports require one? |
linus
Registered
Username: Linus1
Post Number: 3
Registered: 01-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 - 11:05 pm: |
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Hi Mike...
- been out and about for a while ... just noticed your post now...
Thanks for the offer to help - If you succeed in being able to send goodies our way you could make life a lot easier for us - I currently know of 2 other people not on the forum who would like to build, and are dubious about their ability to source the components for reasonable prices.
I have budget... you just say the word and I'll be eager to order from you.
My main concern is the motors, and oriental US seems the most obvious source. Much of the electricals are available here in some form.
Gerald... should I create a list of potential suppliers in the US or do you have a consolidated list of the best options for purchasing? Alternatively, should I create a list of worthwhile suppliers in SA (cost & time efficient) and then try and fill in the blanks with US suppliers?
Also... do you think it would be wise to get 5 instead of 4 motor units for service and repair or am I being too careful?
I have already placed an order for bearings from superior bearings, and I'm very happy with their service, price and general attitude ...
Regards
Linus |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 1138
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2007 - 05:16 am: |
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Linus, I have never heard of someone receiving a dead Oriental Motor, or of one dying at short notice. In fact, never heard of one dying at all...
If you have a supplier over there who is about to send you something, why not ask them if they can increase the weight and volume of the parcel. My online purchase experiences of Oriental Motor USA were the best ever. Direct against credit card and 2 days later they arrive at the designated address.
Don't let your shipper send with USPS. That is not another express company like UPS. USPS is the United States Postal Service, which is obliged to use the South African Post Office on this end. They have an excellent chance of losing the parcel! |
linus
Registered
Username: Linus1
Post Number: 4
Registered: 01-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 09:58 am: |
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Hi Gerald ...
Thanks for the advice but it was too late for me to change anything at the time of your posting.
I did consider the UPS route though, and the price of the entire purchase doubled, as compared to the USPS options - conclusion: I'm happy to take my chances with USPS for this relatively cheap purchase - I spoke to Greg from CNC direct, and he has managed to land a few items this way without trouble so far, although I believe your concerns are fully justified.
We all worry...
Regards
Linus |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 1144
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 10:58 am: |
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...we especially worry when the first (and last) shipment with USPS was valued at $820, and the shipper does nothing to see that the courier of their choice delivers the goods into my hands. The fact that their shipper handed the parcel the SA Post Office does not make it my problem. |
linus
Registered
Username: Linus1
Post Number: 5
Registered: 01-2007
| | Posted on Friday, March 16, 2007 - 07:57 am: |
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Gerald, I have been purchasing some goodies for the machine ... mostly electricals , but I have also got my hands on a timing belt pulley set ... 1x t5 16 and 1x t5 60 ... I'm hoping to make a small reduction box for the steppers having failed to source any way to get the oriental motors. I'm now out of time for them anyway.
Perhaps I'm better off, as the pulley reduction should have no backlash and also help with vibration damping. It would probably be cheaper than purchasing the geared Orientals as well - slightly more pain though.
So, what I will most likely do is start with a direct drive onto the racks and then, once the machine is running, build new motor mounts with reduction pulley sets included.
regards
Linus |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 1156
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 16, 2007 - 10:13 am: |
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Good thinking. |
linus
Registered
Username: Linus1
Post Number: 6
Registered: 01-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2007 - 02:14 pm: |
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Machine weight ...
Gerald ... I was wondering how much your total mechmate weighs?
I've been thinking about it a little and I'm guessing it's more than 600Kg (I haven't performed calcs so please don't judge me harshly) ... Unless I could make the base table bolt together and come apart I probably won't be able to move it at all.
This thought makes me want to introduce alu into the table, but that is probably just a gut reaction.
Therefore : where would it be wise to use bolts instead of welding - how would you recommend the table is split, so to speak... and would bolts just defeat the object of a stiff system?
Further ... do you have thoughts on being able to use lighter steel sections, perhaps for the cross table supports, legs?
Regards
Linus |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 1161
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2007 - 03:05 pm: |
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The gantry and payload (router/spindle), ie. the moving parts are about 80kg.
I think the model that Alan did in SketchUp will reveal the table mass quite quickly - 400kg is my guess.
3 guys manage to drag it across a concrete floor.
Still weld up to 10 10 310 W stage, but bolt 10 10 300 together. When moving, leave the table top bolted to the cross-members - that holds the table square.
Had thoughts on going lighter when setting it to paper, but discarded that because of stiffness issues. Even this heavy table starts vibrating under certain conditions. Havn't yet looked at the finished table and thought it could be lighter, on the contrary . . . . . . |
linus
Registered
Username: Linus1
Post Number: 7
Registered: 01-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 07:00 am: |
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Hi again ..it's been a long time since I updated you on my progress :
As follows : I have a new baby daughter (Daniella) so not much has happened for the last 2 months.
V-rollers : My bearing set finally arrived last week from the US ... Thanks, superior bearings.
We'll be getting back to work again real soon. |
Jay Waters
Registered
Username: Mrgadget
Post Number: 33
Registered: 09-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 12:10 pm: |
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Linus, congratulations on your daughter! Being a daddy is one of the greatest things in the world. I wouldn't trade it for anything, though they do tend to keep you VERY busy!!
Glad to see you're making progress on your machine. |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 1339
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2007 - 12:46 am: |
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Congrats to the new parents! |
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