Friday, March 29
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Author: Eric Girard

CNC Mill – Update / V2

CNC Mill – Update / V2

Electronics
What a week... I started to place the order for the extrusions at OpenBuilds.com and found out the shipping cost to Canada would be 218$usd  + customs.  I then found a local supplier in Montreal and called for 3 days in order to get a quote.  I finally gave up on this supplier and looked at imperial extrusions instead, which are way easier to find in north-america.  I found a distribute for 8020 inc in Ontario and then decided to change the current design to use imperial extrusions. While modifying the original design, I also spent some time trying to identify possible ways to make the design / construction easier.  I then decided to change the bottom frame of the machine for one that would be easier and cheaper to construct. Specifications : 7" Z clearance below the beam...
CNC Milling – Update – 3D Printing and ordering

CNC Milling – Update – 3D Printing and ordering

Electronics
Today, I 3d printed a bunch of parts that I will later machine out of aluminium.  I also placed the order for t-nuts and will probably order the extrusions tonight or tomorrow.  I'm having a bit of an issue with the rails supplier (china) due to holidays there.  Worst case, I'll find another supplier! I set my 3D printer to the fastest print / lowest quality (0.35mm / layer, 120mm/s)  as these parts will be discarded anyway.  I also had a 'spaghetti' incident where one of the supporting rods for the head disconnected (magnetic) and the head simply sprouted plastic in the air.
Printing parts for CNC Milling

Printing parts for CNC Milling

Electronics
Progress update Over the last few days, I added all missing screws, normalized screws lengths and started to build my orders for material.  I'm going to start with the rails / extrusions in order to build the frame.   Printing the plates using my 3D Printer I've finally decided to print all parts that can fit on my 3D printer. Pros: Faster than manually cutting / drilling the parts Allows for inexpensive test-fit / changes Allows to use the machine itself to machine the parts using aluminium Cons: Not sure about the rigidity of the printed parts : will the machine be stiff enough to machine its own aluminum parts ? Will require complete disassembly / reassembly to replace the parts   Here's a teaser of some motor mounts, limit switch holde...
CNC Milling Machine – Limit switches

CNC Milling Machine – Limit switches

Electronics
Spent the evening adding limit switches / home switch on all axis.  I'm not sure yet if the controller will support a home switch but I would rather have hard limit switch with a separate home switch : I want to eleminate any chances of the motors pushing against the frame on a axis stuck at the end of its course. Switches holders and limit switch bumper are all going to be 3D printed with ABS Cya
CNC Milling Machine – Update

CNC Milling Machine – Update

Electronics
This is really starting to take shape.  Added the motor mounts (3D Printed ABS), Z axis motor / plate. Fixed various issue with the project structure in Inventor (adaptive parts, constraints etc). Order for rails and extrusions will be placed this week. Next steps are the connection between screw leads and carriages for X / Z axis.  I also need to figure out limit switches / wiring.  
DIY CNC Update

DIY CNC Update

Uncategorized
Hi all, Worked a few hours on the design of the cnc machine.  Added 2 extrusions on X axis + plates to build up a stiffer beam.  Not sure I'm going to need it but I wanted the holes pattern to be in the side plates if needed.  I also added side shields with protect the linear rails and also will stiffen the Y axis C beams.  Spoiler board is quickly added, need to do pattern holes.  I intend to use the machine itself to drill all the t-nut holes (same for the side shield).  My goal is to build the minimum required to be able to use the machine itself to machine the rest of the parts Good night