Built a CNC router in 1 day
Posted by
imserv@v...
on 2001-02-21 19:15:17 UTC
Last Saturday 2 of us built a Shopbot. Imservice is not a dealer,
but we are not totally impartial, as each Shopbot includes a copy of
Vectorcam. We are going to have training classes here for Shopbots
and using them with Vector. Shopbot sent one here in about 8 boxes.
Each box weighed around 100 lbs(some more!). Their model is the PR-
96. It included a steel framed table.
We assembled the table(full sheet 4 ft x 8 ft size), Mounted the axis
drives and the motors, calibrated and adjusted, installed Prox and e-
stop switches, Spoil board, and ran the machine in about 8 hours
elapsed time, for 2 old men and a 14 year old boy (my son).
The Prox switches were a pain, and took about 2 hours of the total
time. Some rework and difficult to adjust properly. However,
invaluable once installed, as they allowed both homing and axis
software stops.
We started out with a 486SX-33 and it would move about 1 inch per
second, and not too smoothly. The next computer was a Pentium Pro200
and it moved 4 IPS very smoothly. The noise level(not counting the 3
hp Porter-Cable Router spindle) is somewhat higher than my machining
center, with a slight resonating place about midway up the X axis.
We could probably adjust & dampen this out, but it was just barely
noticable at rapid rates
We had to drill 4, 9/16 dia holes in 1/4 thick channel iron(for
mechanical stops in X & Y), otherwise it was all assembly from pre-
fabbed parts. Other than the machine which I think runs between
$6000-$7000, I spent about $60 on a 6 foot carpenter's level, and
another $20-$30 on spoilboard and screws to attach to the table.
Other tools were a socket set and a couple wrenches. Kit included an
ample supply of fasteners, tiewraps, washers, etc to complete the
assembly.
The drive is all Rack & Pinion, and has 2 motors on the X and a
single one each on the Y & Z. I'm not sure what size they are, but
comparable to or just smaller than the steppers that are on an older
Bridgeport series 1, CNC. The Z axis & motor was pre-assembled, and
all the rack was preinstalled on the framework.
I have not had much time to cut anything, as I am getting ready for
the class, but preliminary results are very encouraging. I expected
that the class would have a Shopbot to see, but not one that would
actually be in operation. I was wrong.
Best Regards,
Fred Smith
IMService
but we are not totally impartial, as each Shopbot includes a copy of
Vectorcam. We are going to have training classes here for Shopbots
and using them with Vector. Shopbot sent one here in about 8 boxes.
Each box weighed around 100 lbs(some more!). Their model is the PR-
96. It included a steel framed table.
We assembled the table(full sheet 4 ft x 8 ft size), Mounted the axis
drives and the motors, calibrated and adjusted, installed Prox and e-
stop switches, Spoil board, and ran the machine in about 8 hours
elapsed time, for 2 old men and a 14 year old boy (my son).
The Prox switches were a pain, and took about 2 hours of the total
time. Some rework and difficult to adjust properly. However,
invaluable once installed, as they allowed both homing and axis
software stops.
We started out with a 486SX-33 and it would move about 1 inch per
second, and not too smoothly. The next computer was a Pentium Pro200
and it moved 4 IPS very smoothly. The noise level(not counting the 3
hp Porter-Cable Router spindle) is somewhat higher than my machining
center, with a slight resonating place about midway up the X axis.
We could probably adjust & dampen this out, but it was just barely
noticable at rapid rates
We had to drill 4, 9/16 dia holes in 1/4 thick channel iron(for
mechanical stops in X & Y), otherwise it was all assembly from pre-
fabbed parts. Other than the machine which I think runs between
$6000-$7000, I spent about $60 on a 6 foot carpenter's level, and
another $20-$30 on spoilboard and screws to attach to the table.
Other tools were a socket set and a couple wrenches. Kit included an
ample supply of fasteners, tiewraps, washers, etc to complete the
assembly.
The drive is all Rack & Pinion, and has 2 motors on the X and a
single one each on the Y & Z. I'm not sure what size they are, but
comparable to or just smaller than the steppers that are on an older
Bridgeport series 1, CNC. The Z axis & motor was pre-assembled, and
all the rack was preinstalled on the framework.
I have not had much time to cut anything, as I am getting ready for
the class, but preliminary results are very encouraging. I expected
that the class would have a Shopbot to see, but not one that would
actually be in operation. I was wrong.
Best Regards,
Fred Smith
IMService