Day 2

Managed to get the bearing blocks assembled and added in some gussets. They are a pain in the arse to get in, but they square the entire frame with little effort. Definitely adds a few dollars to the overall build (requires 32 T-nuts and screws, but worth the peace of mind that it's square and solid. Since I am using 3/4" ball screws, the couplings are obviously bigger than other CNC designs I have seen with acme screws, and the coupling size has interference with the piece of 8020 that it's mounted to. I have to come up with a modification to the piece of 8020 or find a smaller coupling. FEDEX expected today with the parts (linear guide rails and 3060 piece of 8020 extrusion for upper gantry) I need to go further. Also ordered all of the electronics, and should start seeing those today or tomorrow. Will start to formulate a master bill of material list. Pictures of some components for the X, Y and Z attached.

Day 1

This is as far as I have gotten on day 1 of this project. At this point I can't go any further for the following reasons:

1. 8020 cross member extrusion for upper gantry will not allow for mounting of linear guides. I need a height of 6" to position two rails onto. I will source and pick up locally today a piece of 8020 that I can use for this design.

Update: Could not source locally.....awaiting FEDEX shipment tomorrow.


2. Awaiting FEDEX shipment of rails and guides for X-axis. Just need to bolt them on.

Update: One rail showed up, so still stuck at this point. FEDEX delivery scheduled for tomorrow.


3. Awaiting FEDEX shipment of helical shaft couplings. Can install ball screw and lower gantry after it arrives.

I expect to have both the X and Y installed today as long as my FEDEX shipment arrives and I can find the longer height 8020 locally.

Update: Not gonna happen tonight, but I can prepare the X axis tonight and make some few minor modifications to the basefram

First Pictures

Here are the parts.

PALMER CNC BEGINS !!!

I have finally decided to build a CNC Router and see it through. After a lackluster attempt about a year ago and some needed research, I am now ready (I think). I am new to CNC so this is a big frigging experiment. After my research, I decided to create my CNC using the Ahren 8020 baseframe. I am also relying the advice of a colleague who has built his own CNC years ago. His machine, "The Ultimate CNC Router" is featured here. After the Ahren frame is said and done, I start to deviate and pursue the PALMER CNC Experiment. I decided to use linear ball screws and rails for motion. I also opted for the NEMA-34 motors. I have no clue at this point what the Z-Axis will resemble. I am not keen on CAD models because they take too long, so don't expect to see any until this project is complete. For right now, I am just digging in and getting 'er done. I always set timelines for myself, which I believe are possible, but everyone else thinks I am crazy. I finally decided to make this CNC 5 days ago, and parts started to arrive yesterday. I give myself two weeks from today to be cutting material using the CNC or this experiment is a failure. Let the experiment begin!!!