Rob Taylor published a new build:

Read more about this build...

 

Still a fair bit of work left to go, and a very long way behind schedule thanks to a variety of factors not really relating to the build itself, but I have enough "non-talking" content now to be reasonably happy actually publishing it. There'll be a ton of pictures added, full parts list including material stock, etc.

Edit: thrown a temporary build image on there of the only somewhat-assembled photo I have thus far.

 

New video and pics in the build! This is a z-axis both with neither a travelling motor nor a protruding rail. Bit tricky, but I like the results and how compact they are to the gantry rail, minimal flapping around under acceleration (per video 1's requirements). I think it could potentially be transferred even to router builds, with the appropriate reinforcements and a fully-enclosed screw nut (best off with a flange-mounted ballscrew in this design, but anti-backlash ACME with thrust bearings in a U-bracket could work maybe).



I know @RobSaunders and a couple others were looking at laser z-axis options while I was building this over in his thread, I don't know if this is useful or not, but just in case.

Thanks man! I finally get to use those extra sticks of 4020 you sent me all these years later, hahaha. I did actually do the test they were for, and the results weren't super great. Joining them definitely isn't gonna happen without some serious support, not just a couple of double tee nuts. Even with a proper bracket, you need a perfect finish on the ends- milled, maybe a little lapping, and ideally no deburring, just razor edges, or the wheels pick up that slight little divot as they cross the line. Just a straight saw cut didn't even come close. So it's kinda tough to do, especially when you need to protect the ends whilst still moving around a portable project.

I guess that makes this an "OpenBuilds sponsored build" though, hahah.

 

I saw that, looking good!

Still working on the video, but I added some frame-building pics to the build. I've had a couple jobs come in, so I don't know how fast the rest of it will come together, Hopefully quickly, because I'm kinda looking forward to doing the grbl video!

 

Video 5, framing up, uploaded in the build section. Next up, grbl and wiring up!

 

Wiring is going quite slowly (admittedly I got distracted with playing testing for a while) because I have very specific requirements and I'm trying to anticipate as much as possible ahead of time. Haven't started shooting the video yet, just picking up footage here and there where it's made sense.

A few update pics to demonstrate progress!

The original mess of wiring:



(Terminal blocks are my new best friend!)

Wheee, lasery goodness!



(Chunky kerf, hadn't pushed the feed high enough yet, this was very early)

Making something useful! Hard to use Dykem on wood.



Can't make a thing with a laser cutter without giving it an etched nameplate, it's against the Maker Code! (A little toasty on the pocketing operation here, should've run a couple tests first) Stoopid stepper driver died when I was finished, but a new one should be here today.



(The backwards-screws as captive keycaps are my favourite thing ever)

Now to make this thing pretty!



(Welds on the bridge/RF shield leave a lot to be desired, for a variety of reasons, but they're not holding much so I don't care)

Onwards!