Devlog 4: Negative Progress???

Overview

It’s been a while since my last devlog, and quite a few things have changed (mostly taking apart or fixing things rather than anything new ). I took apart the old frame and components, going through the arduous process of cataloging all the parts and screws. There were a bunch of small interference fixes across CAD, such as ball screw misalignment and incorrect COTS parts dimensions I also went through and fixed. I had to make a few test jigs to verify if the corner brackets fit correctly before realizing the dimensions for the little triangle parts that stick out were way off . I also came across some designs for TPU bellows/dust covers and have been playing around with them, but can’t get my print settings right just yet.

What’s New

• Old frame taken apart
• Fixed ball screw alignment on x and y axis
• Added additional screws to Gantry structure
• Adjusted cutouts for Gantry corner brackets
• CADed table (same as old design, but done on Onshape
• Continued reformatting and organizing documentation
• Test prints for 3DP Bellows

I’ve been procrastinating working on electronics and dust collection for a while, and I’ll be getting to them soon–never trust my estimates–after I wrap up documentation and 3DP testing.

What’s Next

• Completing research documentation
• Bellows tests
• Maybe electronics (likely 2 devlogs from now)

Devlog #3 The Frame is Done (Mostly)

Overview

I’ve just about got the frame all CADed and checked for interferences. Just need to add dust collection and limit switches!

What’s New

• Finished the gantry, spindle mount and spoilboard CAD
• Added fasteners to CAD
• Updated most lengths to reflect the parts I have

Everything gone pretty well, but as I was messing around with the dimensions of the new design, I realized I will likely have to by new aluminum extrusion :(. The ball screws mount closest to the motor sit on the inside of the plates rather than outside as they were before, so I can either add a spacer between the other mount (less rigid) or lengthen the frame (will cost around $100-$200). Welp… I will probably use a spacer for now.

What’s Next

• Limit switches and dust shoe mounting
• Enclosure design
• Table + Electronics enclosure design
• Subsystem design documentation

Hope to move to electronics and building soon. Cya!

Devlog #2: These Ball Screws are Gonna Haunt Me

Overview

I’ve been working on redesigning the basic frame, and I’ve just about got the Z-axis CAD and ball screw mounting done. I’ve got plans in mind for the rest of the frame, but till then, here’s what I’ve got to show.

What’s New

• Wrapped up the Z-axis CAD, adding the motor and ball screw mounts
• Laid out the aluminum extrusion base

All pretty basic until I got to designing the ball screws for the X and Y axes. A year ago, I foolishly bought the parts for this machine when working with my old design :(. The ball screws were way oversized due to the 3D-printed mount I made (Image attached), and the mount for the screw nut would require me to take apart the whole gantry (screws facing the wrong direction).

Cause I don’t want to order new parts, I’ve made a solution using some offset plates; it took a little playing around (second image).

What’s Next

• I’ll be getting back to documentation on my repo soon!
• Figuring out how to accommodate the ball screw length; they’re still too long for the size of rails I have.

Devlog #1: Documentation and Getting Started on CAD

Just got started CADing the Z-axis assembly of my CNC alongside some other COTS parts + documentation. Documentation has taken way longer than I expected :(

CAD:

• BK-15 and BF-15 ball screw mounts (for some reason the parts I have don’t properly match models online, so I made them myself)
• Started the Z-axis CAD (still need to model the ball screws and motor, but got the rails and carriage done)
• Configurable linear rails

Documentation:

• Started the documentation for my design process, with info on the general design and linear motion components (check repo for more info; hope to get more on there by my next devlog)

I originally attempted this project over a year ago, but didn’t have enough experience and rushed into thing buying some of the wrong parts. Hoping to reuse most of the parts I already have! I attached a photo of my older, unfinished design (imported from Fusion)