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No aluminium is definitely stronger. Compare 6061 Aluminum to POM-H

If you compare the cost thickness to thickness it's very similar, but because alu is a bit stronger you wouldn't need such thick material.

Using acetal also meant I didn't have to change too many fixings (which saved on cost) as well as machining time, and I could also call the project Halloumi.

 

Thanks Mark. Think I'm onto a winner here. I just need to create a similar mechanism for the Y plates now.

 

Hi Michael, sorry for the late reply. Somehow missed a few comments. The acetal machine is pretty good considering how it was made. I have started working on making some fine adjustment modifications and cutting stuff out of aluminium.

 

Hi Kurt, I am releasing files on my Patreon page at Educating Savvas is creating YouTube Videos, CNC Machines and Errors | Patreon while the concept is a work in progress - The Y plates are up there now but I want to make a similar fine adjustment mechanism as I've just completed for the gantry.

 

I've just bought a meter length of c beam and ACME threaded rod to extend the x axis. So a meter is my plan for now.

 

So the slots have a centre at the ACME threaded rod. When the machine screws are released the entire c beam along the x axis can pivot 2 degrees either way which compensates for nod on the spindle. I also wanted to be able to pivot the spindle along the other axis - between the y but I had to devise some kind of pivot plate which is what the last video describes. It's a way of tramming the machine without taking it apart and will probably save hours of time and make the machine really accurate... for a DIY machine. I made a mechanism which uses opposite machine screws to push against opposite blocks which tilt the spindle (when looking face on to the machine) clockwise or counter clockwise. I think that's the best I can do with explaining it.

 

Hi Charlie, glad to hear your making a machine too. I've just stated working with Aluminium but having trouble getting the right drilling tool path for smaller holes. It actually seems better to make them on the pillar drill. Anyway my spacers are 33mm. All the best.

 

Hi Charlie, I'm going with 8mm plates in aluminium. But for the acelta machine which had 12mm plates I think I used 70 or 75mm long machine screws. I ended up using stainless steel flanges machine screws but I really wish I bought high tensile ones for everything. I bought mine from Ebay - I know ooznest sell 65mm low profile ones here in the UK. The spacing for the centre of the gantry wheels is around 9mm but in the end I realised the problems the v wheels create can only be sorted by designing the pivoting plates and tramming mechanisms. Good luck with the build!

 

My Y Plates are around 260mm tall from top to bottom but my wastebaord was several bits of exterior medite MDF stuck togehter.