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