Hi guys,
This is my first post on here, though I have been trolling for a while.
Background: I started thinking about building a CNC router/aluminium mill back when I had a large garage/workshop. This was to help me build some speakers, and the enclosures for DIY HiFi components. I am fortunate enough to work in Tier 1 Automotive and as such have access to large numbers of scrap/decommissioned machines. As such I have a useful collection of linear bearings and aluminium extrusion T slot sections.
Recently, as often happens, splitting up with my fiancée and moving in with a less disturbed significant other has meant my only work space is a spare room I am slowly converting to a man/cave/office/reluctant spare room. This has meant my plans have had to change. I wanted to build an all in one Cartesian machine that could 3D print, cut aluminium, plastic and wood and perhaps be accurate enough to cut custom PCB's. Ehilst speccing this machine I realise that the most successful 3D printers, have very low moving mass and move a lot faster than the required speeds for cutting and milling, with a lot less torque. On reflection it seems unlikely that I could build a machine that is capable of the high accuracy and speed as well as being strong and stiff enough to be a useful CNC machine.
This has leant me toward Delta 3D printers for purely printing work and a separate, more beefy (and therefore expensive) Cartesian machine.
I have been lucky enough to score 6 AMT linear bearings with 15mm by 700mm rails. The bearing blocks are numbered: MSA15E-N, a 15mm pillow type. The rails are 700mm long and have the part number MSA15R-N. These look perfect for a Delta printer. I have got my hands on a few off cuts fo aluminium that can easily be turned into a 'head' and have a load of 40 by 40 t slot extrusion.
I am writing this to get some billy basics from you guys:
Examples of existing metal framed/linear bearing delta printers
Which control electronics, steppers, heated beds, etc work well for Delta prints.
Where is a good source of light, strong and high precision turnbuckles/ball joints?
Is the bowden system this type of printer uses a pain in the arse?
etc etc.
I am currently sat in front of AutoCAD designing up ideas and am wondering about the mechanics of the design. How do I effectively choose the length of the turn-buckles? What soze should I aim for my print platform (therefore volume)? What are the pro's and cons of long turrnbuckles vs short ones.. Etc etc etc..
Your input and help is greatly appreciated.
Kind regards,
Jai Stanley
This is my first post on here, though I have been trolling for a while.
Background: I started thinking about building a CNC router/aluminium mill back when I had a large garage/workshop. This was to help me build some speakers, and the enclosures for DIY HiFi components. I am fortunate enough to work in Tier 1 Automotive and as such have access to large numbers of scrap/decommissioned machines. As such I have a useful collection of linear bearings and aluminium extrusion T slot sections.
Recently, as often happens, splitting up with my fiancée and moving in with a less disturbed significant other has meant my only work space is a spare room I am slowly converting to a man/cave/office/reluctant spare room. This has meant my plans have had to change. I wanted to build an all in one Cartesian machine that could 3D print, cut aluminium, plastic and wood and perhaps be accurate enough to cut custom PCB's. Ehilst speccing this machine I realise that the most successful 3D printers, have very low moving mass and move a lot faster than the required speeds for cutting and milling, with a lot less torque. On reflection it seems unlikely that I could build a machine that is capable of the high accuracy and speed as well as being strong and stiff enough to be a useful CNC machine.
This has leant me toward Delta 3D printers for purely printing work and a separate, more beefy (and therefore expensive) Cartesian machine.
I have been lucky enough to score 6 AMT linear bearings with 15mm by 700mm rails. The bearing blocks are numbered: MSA15E-N, a 15mm pillow type. The rails are 700mm long and have the part number MSA15R-N. These look perfect for a Delta printer. I have got my hands on a few off cuts fo aluminium that can easily be turned into a 'head' and have a load of 40 by 40 t slot extrusion.
I am writing this to get some billy basics from you guys:
Examples of existing metal framed/linear bearing delta printers
Which control electronics, steppers, heated beds, etc work well for Delta prints.
Where is a good source of light, strong and high precision turnbuckles/ball joints?
Is the bowden system this type of printer uses a pain in the arse?
etc etc.
I am currently sat in front of AutoCAD designing up ideas and am wondering about the mechanics of the design. How do I effectively choose the length of the turn-buckles? What soze should I aim for my print platform (therefore volume)? What are the pro's and cons of long turrnbuckles vs short ones.. Etc etc etc..
Your input and help is greatly appreciated.
Kind regards,
Jai Stanley