Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Who's got what running?

I have made a number of machines so I will include only
the latest one. It is a commercial machine, but it was made
in a small shop environment (partly a garage!) so it might be of interest.
It is the first one that I actually own myself!

60"x50"x24" moving gantry

structure:

Space frame base welded in 2x2x1/4 A36 steel tubing and
2x3 solid 1018 hot rolled steel. Base weight 1500 lb.

Gantry welded 6x6x1/4 and 6x4x1/4 A36 steel with 3/8, 1/2,
and 3/4 thick 1018 hotrolled stiffeners. Weight 800 lb.

Structural design optimized in Grape finite element analysis
software and detailed in autocad.

Drive:
x: twin HIWIN 25x5mm preloaded ballscrews driven
by jackshaft with shop designed low backlash spiral bevel
transmission. Cam corrected screw pitch matching.Shop designed preloaded end
blocks.40mm THK TBC preloaded linear rails mounted on scraped surfaces.

y:single HIWIN 25x5 ballscrew. 40mm THK rails on scraped
mounting surface

z:single HIWIN 25x5 ballscrew. 40mm THK rails on scraped
mounting surface. Rails act a structural member near end.

Theta: 5% preloaded tapered roller bearings with 1.75" stepped shaft

All drive mechanics protected by shop designed window
shade type way covers made of nylon/neoprene.

Servos SEM dc brush for x and y 1400 in oz peak torque
Magmotor dc brush for z 850 in oz peak torque

Copley servo amps
US Digital encoders converted to differental output
Shop designed hardwired estop system

Tech80 dsp pc servo card with dos based software I
wrote in Borland Turbo C.

Now conversion to EMC with Servo to GO II installed
is in process. (crossing fingers) This machine is designed
for wood and metal. It was designed with a conversion
to 5 axis in mind also... that's why the z travel is so much.
Right now it is only 3 axis.

Cost:
materials $14,000
labor too much!!!



Leslie Watts
L M Watts Furniture
Tiger, Georgia USA
http://www.rabun.net/~leswatts/wattsfurniturewp.html