Re: Router plan made from steel

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Mina Aboul Saad"
<minaf@l...> wrote:

> I'm thankful for all who replied to my post.
>
> Dave, you're absolutely right Steel is much cheaper than Al and

also Al is

> not widely available where I come from.
> The question now is can I take the plans made for an Aluminum made

router

> and use Steel instead of Al??
> I know the machine would be heavier, but would I need to worry about
> anything else???
>
> Mina F.

There are two basic designs. one uses aluminum extrusion as a key
part of the design for linear rails. the other uses bearings and
rails attached to the table itself.

For a table of wood/alum/steel and having linear rails attached,
there is no difference in substance. There is a little difference in
structure for the support as each material has different properties.

One of the simple and elegant designs I have seen on this site was
one were a guy used cam bearings. seemed like a very solid design
and one that should be easy enough to make with simple tools.

Another used Angled bearing surfaces an a flat belt.

And for the bearing surfaces, there are a couple different ways to
make them. one is to bolt on a steel plate, preferably hardened, to
the side of the table frame and make sure it is exactly flat. then
use that to let bearings ride on. presto, linear rail for one
dimension. put another on the top or bottom of the frame and you
have a linear rail to prevent side to side movement.

For a plasma cutter, you would needed one on each side of the frame
to keep the gantry flat and level, and one on one side to keep it
from slipping side to side.


I'm not sure of who posted the cam bearing unit. But Dean posted
the `Axxus' machine. Maybe you can get a few ideas from those two
machines.

http://www.axxustech.com/Axxus4x8/axxus_4x8.htm


and maybe if someone remembers the cam bearing unit, they could post
a link ?

Dave