the gearbox CNC build

[ak11667 10]

so im building a CNC machine capable of cutting full sheets of MDF, wood, plexi etc.. my goal is to be able to produce these for sale

most cnc's that cut 4x8 sheets cost upwards of 100k and the backyard ones that you see aren't that accurate (over 1/16th inch accuracy) and still cost 4-7000 dollars, my goal is to get them build for under 2500

so anyways onto the build pics

thats the render of the final product

another render

y and z axis

[ak11667 10]

partially assembled

[ak11667 10]

building the table

[ak11667 10]

test fitting the gantry onto the table

Y and Z motors installed and chains and acme screw linked up

Z axis motor and assembly

x axis motor and drive shafts

Y axis drive sprockets and chain

router mount, i need to trim the acme screw down

X axis idler chains

X axis drive sprocket

[Julian 641]

very interesting

[Quentin Jarrell 671]

Is that threaded rod or acme screw? What are you doing for lash? What's the lead accuracy and how are you compensating for it?

Edited October 24, 2012 by Quentin Jarrell

[ak11667 10]

Is that threaded rod or acme screw? What are you doing for lash?

its a single start 1/2 inch acme screw, and im using a special designed anti backlash nut, and the idler sprockets on both the x and y axis are not 100% free motion, they are tensioned to reduce backlash

[CommGuru 0]

This looks epic. Thanks for sharing!

[ak11667 10]

What's the lead accuracy and how are you compensating for it?

its 10 turns per inch, and the chain sprockets are 2.25 inches per turn

the chains are tensioned and the idler sprockets are also on "brakes" so that they dont freely rotate

im looking at about 1/32 inch accuracy as it stands now, but im hoping to cut that in half with some new parts coming this week

[Shogen 325]

looks pretty cray! nice craftsmanship man!!!

[Quentin Jarrell 671]

What's the lead accuracy and how are you compensating for it?

its 10 turns per inch, and the chain sprockets are 2.25 inches per turn

the chains are tensioned and the idler sprockets are also on "brakes" so that they dont freely rotate

im looking at about 1/32 inch accuracy as it stands now, but im hoping to cut that in half with some new parts coming this week

I assume thats's over 8 foot of travel?

[ak11667 10]

10ft of total X travel

[ak11667 10]

the motor controllers and the linear motion rails should be here by next Wednesday, i cant wait to be up and cutting

[ak11667 10]

poll time, top left is oil and stain, bottom left is oil only top right is plain wood, bottom right is stain only

what do you all think?

[ssh 924]

Hard to tell any difference from the oil + stain and stain only, but I like the stain look, and the oil should make it more weather-proof?

[bassahaulic 155]

Now this, is badass sir.

Very impressive.

[KyleBrown 121]

Looks kick ass man!

[Randal Johnson 544]

They make a machine simmilar to this called a Shop bot. Very cool machines !!!

We have one in our shop ...

[ak11667 10]

yea i looked into the shop bots, the main principle behind mine is low cost, accuracy, and ability to duplicate itself

out the door i will be selling these when its all done and tested will be around 1800-2k per fully assembled unit

and im picking up a darker oil tomorrow to see how that looks too

[ricksi30 923]

Badass man!

[StreetLegal 119]

Awesome project mann !!!!

[jcarter1885 995]

Very impressive, keep up the good work

[pmureika 31]

Thats one badass machine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pro-rabbit 64]

That is pretty interesting. Once you get something ready let me know I may be down for doing up some testing/reviews for you. I have been looking at several CNC machines over the past year with the plan to get one in the first quarter of next year.

[A.SMALL 17]

Definitely some nice and interesting work you got going on there...look forward to seeing more!