Mike Campbell published a new build:

Read more about this build...

 

Tried to make this build a little bit bigger this week and hit a snag. I've re-worked the OB spindle mount specs to accept a full size router and even cut one on the machines at work to test. The good news is the mount works great. The bad news is this frame design, as it is, won't handle a big router. There is just too much deflection on the gantry beam to be usable. I don't see why this mount wont work on the new "LEAD1515" gantry setup, so I'll clean it up and share the file here soon.

I did manage to get the X axis motor mount made and installed though. All that's left is to make is the custom swing arms for the rack and pinion drive on the XY and start wiring.

 

I think I follow what you're saying here, a second spindle mount wouldn't hurt. And the weight of the router can be overcome by adding a spring loaded return without much trouble which is pretty common.

The real problem here is the lateral flex in the "C-beam" gantry rail. The OpenBuilds team has addressed this issue pretty well on the LEAD series by stacking the C-Beam extrusions and doubling up on the axis plates. Since I'm cobbling this machine together with off the shelf parts and plates from older builds, it has certain limits.

Good thing I can use it to improve itself though.

 

I like where your head's at, but this build is kind of a Frankenstein's monster using parts and resources already on hand versus buying and designing all new. It will be fine, as is, to dial in the new drive system and even fabricate parts for it's own replacement down the line.

MC

 

Just about got her all wired up and ready to test over the holiday. Had to drop back and order some other wire and a few bits of hardware to complete everything, so another week in limbo.

 

Machine is 100%. Here's a quick vid of the first motion test. Full speed/random jogging by way of the game pad. More to come...

 

Thanks for the kind words guys, it means a lot. Still working on putting the CAD files and parts list together but will post them here when I can.

The gear racks were custom cut at my day job and have been tested on a couple of builds there for about a year. This machine was built to kind of show them off a bit and let me start making them for others at home. I'll post more info on that soon, but am happy to answer any questions until then.

 

follow my facebook and youtube for a lot more about the progression and what we've been up to.

MC

 

Thank you, Rick. You should also check out this post to see what it has evolved into, and follow down the discussions section to see more of the production builds based off of it..

MC