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Lead CNC - C-BEAM conversion to linear rails - help :)

Discussion in 'CNC Mills/Routers' started by Valthol, Oct 31, 2020.

  1. Valthol

    Valthol New
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    Hello all! :)

    I am looking to add more stiffnes to my Lead 1010 CNC machine. I want to start with Z axis because it is a place where I have way too much loose.

    The easiest way it seems is to add 15mm linear HIWINs that you can easily mount to the fronts of C BEAMS and do some custom work with plates and motor mounting because the position of lead screw would change.

    Are there any sketches/documentations/done projects that converted C-BEAM Z axis (and other axises also, it's very similar conversion) to 15mm linear rails? I would really love to get some help here with this idea and I think Im not the first one that thought about it, it should be rather popular idea :)

    Rafał
     
  2. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Have you considered the off-the-shelf High Z mod kit? The extra beam greatly increases rigidity. The wheels is not source of flex, deflection is: How to calculate V-Slot® deflection so replacing with Rails wont necessarily improve the situation
     
  3. Valthol

    Valthol New
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    The whole linear rails thing started when I discovered that no matter how tight I turn my eccentric nuts there is no state like "too tight". Fully closed nuts give me somewhat of "ok, it's good", but there are still some wheels on the frame that don't rotate when it's moving and I think there is no single wheel that while tightening I thought "****, I turned it too much!".

    I bought parts from big openbuilds parts seller in Poland but the situation is not easy for me to fix. I can't even V-carve deeper than 3mm without the router shakeing and wobbling.
     
  4. Giarc

    Giarc OpenBuilds Team
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    Read through this build 1510 Workbee Modified
     
  5. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    That is purposely designed that way. Many years ago you could go too tight, then many users went too tight, causing flat spots on their wheels, and over time holespacing was tweaked to allow adjustment and preload, but never too much to damage the wheels. If your parts are slightly offspec (as in cannot get adjusted to preload) the supplier should be able to replace them for you.
     
  6. Will Brown

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    I too am having this issue... My c beam can move about 1/16th in every direction and the wheels are fully tightened. I bought the machine secondhand, so unfortunately, I have no idea who the supplier was. Love the machine otherwise, including the updates that I have made to it. Is there any way I can order new wheels or should I just go with a new C Beam setup?

    I am using a 1515.
     
  7. Will Brown

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    Can anybody help here?

    I should clarify that the 1/16th of movement in the C Beam is the amount of "wobble" or "slack" when the machine is completely stationary. I am primarily milling trays out of hardwoods, furniture templates out of MDF, and the random signs for friends as they have kids. I don't have any need for high z, just need the router to stop shifting when I move laterally. I have already upgraded the router plate and know that it is not the culprit.
     
  8. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Adjust the wheels (including taking slack out of the side without eccentrics by pushing it sideways before tightening), and if you maybe have any non-genuine parts, replace them with true OpenBuilds parts
     
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  9. Will Brown

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    This worked, thank you tremendously!

    This is also something I've been working toward. An 80/20 table is coming very soon, as well as the upgraded wheel set.
     
    Peter Van Der Walt likes this.
  10. Kevon Ritter

    Kevon Ritter Veteran
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    Also make sure you're anti-backlash nuts are properly adjusted.
     

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