Just a question on the motors. Is a nema 23 like the one bellow overkill???

 

I think that's probably overkill... That is a 388 oz. motor!

 

I have a 156 oz/in nema 23 on my Z-axis w/ a DNP611 (the bare tool version of the DWP611) and it works great, zero issues!

 

I was considering getting something like this and then just adding another motor and driver:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/From-UK-F...005&rk=5&rkt=6&mehot=lo&sd=321624816432&rt=nc
The problem is that I'm not really sure what to look for

 

If you went with something like the tinyg or xPro CNC controller, you would only need to add motors and a power supply. Looks like with the item you are showing, it just comes with drivers and motors, so an additional controller would still be necessary.

 

I got the chain on ebay real cheap. I got the 10mm x 10mm chain, I
8, member: 5784"]Hi Tinbasher,

Nice gantry! Any idea what size E-chain you have there? Did you buy it off of ebay? I've been trying to figure out what size will work on my unit. Mine is 1000mm wide. I think I can figure out the length okay, but I'm not sure what height and width dimensions would be good. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

John[/QUOTE]

I got the chain from fleebay

 

That was my first choice. Maybe I should just stick with it and stop changing my mind all the time.

 

Ok, sorry for the last erratic replies, I'm in Texas for a Sheetmetal conference and my phone coverage is a bit shaky! I purchased the cable chain on eBay, and it was cheap. 10mm x10mm is the inside dimension, this works ok but I should have bought the 15mm x 10mm. My machine is 800mm in the x axis and I used all but 4 of the links of a 1 meter length. This chain rides on the rear 2040 v slot behind the main x rails, a few zip ties and it was really secure.

 

I know there are people on the openbuilds forums that have a tinyg and xpro for sale. I personally use xpro, and have been very happy with it.

 

Here is a view from the back of my gantry. Only the Z & X wires need to run with the cable chain. The Y stepper wires can run in the slot on the 2040 back rail without interference to the chain. Gantry is 800mm and I used almost the whole meter of cable chain except for about 4 of the links.

 

Hi Rick and Leo, (Others?)

Hows it going with your C-beam OX, any pictures yet?

I am working on milling sets of C-Beam OX Al Gantry plates for a couple builders, and wondering if either of you almost have the X and/or Y working?

Chris

 

Hey folks, I've been a lurking newbie for a while now and I figured I better make myself known. I'll start by saying that my wife is not happy with any of you guys here at OB, or with me. Guess she didn't realize I was capable of having multiple hobbies, she even asked if I was going to sell some of my airplanes to make room for my newest addition? I mumbled "hell no" before she even finished her question.
So, I built a 736 mm x 1270 mm standard OX using all parts as sold by the OB parts store. 3 Nema 23's and 1 Nema 17. I'm using the Chinese 400 W spindle and 48V PS, as found on flee-bay. The controller is the X Pro V2, from Sparks, running on 24V PS. I started out using GRBL controller but ended up switching to Universal G Code Sender (another story).
The spindle came with a 52 mm chunk of aluminum for mounting to the Z. I wanted to make the mount work so I cut the mount in half, milled the back to clear the V wheel bolts and drilled four 5 mm holes for mounting to the Z (see picture to make sense of this).
The bad: I had a local shop produce my plates, not happy with them at all! I've gone back to them twice for replacements as there accuracy just isn't great. 3 of the 8 top wheels, on the X plates, will not adjust enough to touch the top of the Y rail, the holes are off that much! So, as I should have done to begin with, I have new plates in route courtesy of Chris L. Also, when I disassemble for the new plates I will be installing the duel belts on the X and Y rails and adding cable management. I haven't cut anything yet, but I have drawn a few pictures of sharks for my son. Can't wait to make some chips! Thanks for this great design Mark, my wife really appreciates it

Josh

 

Hi Josh,

It shows delivered this morning... hope your wife doesn't hide it from you

BTW, that is a pretty substantial mount you made.

Chris

 

Josh, you should start your own build thread so it doesn't get lost in the main Ox thread. I finally did with mine (Cebu) and it was nice to be able to keep some things separate. Can't wait to see more pics of the "final" assembly.

-- John

 

Cool- thanks for the reply. I've been eyeballing the e-chains on ebay for awhile but have never been quite sure what size to select.

John

 

V-Slot vs. 8020 Compatibility...

If I were looking for 8020 parts which are compatible with V-Slot, what series would I need? And are there any other considerations for adapting one to the other? I need to make a long table but OpenBuilds doesn't sell any extrusions longer than 1500mm (afaik- do they?)

John

 

Hi Chris,

I'm working on a C-Beam Ox-like build (albeit dragging my feet to get started ;-) I am curious what you have come up with for the plates. Have you had to make any adjustments to get them to fit? Do you know of anybody who's built one yet? Is there any feedback regarding stability of the gantry? One of my concerns is that I've seen some occasional misalignment from "push-back" (torsional rotation of the X-axis beam) in my current Ox. How hard would it be to make a set of gantry plates that were taller to offer more area underneath the X-axis. Would that be counter-productive? Do you think the new C-beam will be stronger and better able to resist twisting? (It seems to me like it would almost have to be)

John

 

Chris - Yes sir, I got them and in record time! That was some seriously fast shipping, thanks a lot and they look awesome. BTW, my wife had the new plates sitting on my OX table, when I got home. However, the new plates did cause me to get only 4 1/2 hours of sleep last night, just couldn't resist and had to begin the swap out. The mount came with the spindle, I just milled it to make it work on the Z. I'll probably modify it a bit more so I can attach LED's and a vacuum hose, we'll see. I need to cut something first!

John - Thanks for the suggestion, I may post a picture of my first cut but that would be it. To be honest, I've never been good at keeping up with a build log, I'd rather be making chips or putting another airplane kit together.

 

Hi Everyone, I've spent most of my free time of the last two weeks reading this gigantic thread.

Thank you Mark for a great design, thank you all for taking the time to share you designs.

I hope to make an OX ish with C-Beams this fall. Still have so many questions to answer before I commit to one design. Still have no clue whether I will use belt, lead screw, rack and pinions and don't get me started on what I don't know about controllers and drivers.

Anyway, just wanted to say thanks to all of you.

 

Hi John,

The two potential C-beam builders I am working with are also going slow. I'm a big fan of "Measure twice, cut once" also.
We are still in the planning stage.

I've made a few sets of 2 1/2" taller side Gantry plates, and there have been no reported problems.
My new fixture plate can make them up to 3 1/2" taller, though no one has tried that tall yet.
I also worked with a couple people to make 6" tall braces that lift the whole OX up in the air so you can put a couple spoiler boards under it.

Chris

 

Hi Rick,

Thanks for the info!
We are still in the planning stage. I'll let you know how it goes.

I have a quick question... can you use the standard Rev 81 gantry plates with the Z axis C-Beam actuator if the Y and X use the standard V-slot rails?

P.S. I see in your R4 C-Beam suggestions you are not using the new C-Beam actuator for the Z axis.

Chris

 

Just a suggestion as this thread is already quite huge and has been derailed several times. But shouldn't a new thread be started regarding a c-beam ox and details pertaining?

 

Agreed! We are over 2,000 replies to this great thread. Makes it difficult to go back and find specific info from the past. Even if you don't have a full build log, just a pic or two can suffice for the "build" section. Don't let that part scare you away. I posted my build Cebu after getting a bit tangled in this thread, and wanting to separate out some of the lessons I learned in my build.

 

You can find a more direct link to the OXcalculator down in my signature below. It will let you play with overall dimension to see how it affects price. Exact part count might be off a tad, but it should get you close to a budget as it reminds you of all 'other' elements you might need : software, computer, etc.

 

Chris, I just messaged you on eBay, asking if you would make a set of Y gantry's designed to use C-Beam on the X, then I saw your comment above. I would be interested in a set myself, can you provide info on the design?

Thanks,

RMW

 

FYI. After months of standing there holding the shop vac nozzle I finally took a look creating some sort of dust collection. I had seen some examples on thingeverse but they needed modifications so I decided to create my own. The issue was that I was really skeptical that without a shoe it would not work. I printed this little holder out for the existing shop vac crevice tool as a test and it has been working great. Almost no dust on the wheels. Just using a small shop vac. Perhaps it works for me because I only cut small plywood, pink foam and depron. Going to improve the holder soon.

Just though I would pass this along.

 

I am pulling the parts together for a Ox build and I was wondering about the controller board options. I know the prototype has a gshield and Arduino but was wondering what else is available and maybe something more heavy duty with four axises?