I have been making a start on a Sphinx build, I really like @Kyo's design but wanted to make it in the XL scale, somewhat because I already have some spare 1m C-Channel assemblies i can salvage from another build. As part of wrapping my head around the project and what is involved in the machine I built the assembly in solidworks, migrating Kyo's files into solidworks part files. I figured I would share them for anyone else using solidworks. The plates will be laser cut & then drilled & bored on a turret mill. Although I am looking at options to increase the X-Axis rigidity to mount a 2.2kW spindle. They are $40 more than the 1.5 and they have an er16 collet.
Looks great ! Thank you for sharing your files. I have been asked for Solidworks format and have been unable to provide as I do not have SW. I look forward to seeing your build
My pleasure, I'll throw some dimensioned drawings up soon as well. This was my thought for increasing the rigidity of the X-axis. Essentially two C-Channels back to back and bolted every 100mm along their length. I also extended the front set of v wheels to try and move them infront of the center of mass a little more. Naturally a bit of travel cost but I should have plenty to start with.
The 2.2kW might be $40 more, but that's $40 wasted as it will probably exceed what the overall design of the machine can do, especially with a 1000mm wide gantry. After a certain point, extra cutting power is just bad weight to deal with, as it's now hanging away from the gantry. You have to look at how the machine moves. It uses v wheels which is more than likely going to be a much larger restriction that the spindle itself. You'll also probably need the max 425oz Nema 23 or possible bigger just to keep it from dropping. You also risk the possibility of sagging the c-beam itself. The linear rail and v wheel setup form openbuilds is pretty cool, but I wouldn't go that far with it. Edit: I just saw the last post. Nice mods! How much twisting resistance do you think a double C gantry would provide?
TBH I dont have enough experience with the C-Rail to know how much of an improvement this will be. There is a temptation to try solidworks load modeling but its beyond my skill level for a complex assembly like this, there is just too many variables. The design also has the complication of needing a double width X carriage as well. I am tempted to build the larger plates so I can experiment with the additional rails. Maybe starting with a makita trimmer + some additional weights for testing then moving up to a 2.2kw spindle. It just seems a shame to shell out more money for a smaller router I hopefully wont need. Maybe I can borrow a mates
The assembly certainly isnt light. With a 4kg spindle the entire carriage weighs 16kg! Not to mention the 80cm width of the two carriage plates & cost of 24 wheel sets. Although I think just the outside sets would be sufficient to start with. My plan is to bring the backlash nuts on the Y axis plates vertically inline with center of mass, I doubt it will make much difference but it may help eliminate any strange rocking behavior. I'll also make provisions for the X-Axis screw to run through the front channel and affix to the main adapter plate, reducing the likelihood of crabbing and rocking by having the driving force so far from the carriages center of mass. Just ignore the current alignment errors
It may not be a bad idea to add dual steppers for x. Those poor delrin nuts might wear down way too soon. One other possibility is to switch to a larger screw (lead or ball).
... very interesting, like the idea of of strengthening the x c-beam! If one could get a rail & pinion system to work on the double c-beam x axis, it could probably be extended even a bit more, allowing sequential work on rather large sheets of material, being pushed through.
Hi @Apothus It is a reason why the CBEAM and vslot dimension is different of the dimension of sphinx xl beardyblair build ? Qty 5 20x60 V-slot 880mm base/frame - > Solidwork model 930.8mm Qty 2 20x60 V-slot 996mm base/frame - > Solidwork model 1000 mm Qty 3 C-beam 1000mm X, Y axis - > Solidwork model 1000 mm Qty 1 C-beam 310mm Z axis (this could possibly be shorter, have not finalised this yet) -> Solidwork model 250 mm
Unfortunatly I dont have access to Solidworks today to double check but.. Qty 5 20x60 V-slot 880mm base/frame - > Solidwork model 930.8mm *** Looks as though the file name lists 880 as well, not sure why it would measure out at 930, can you attach a screen grab Qty 2 20x60 V-slot 996mm base/frame - > Solidwork model 1000 mm *** I was working from 1m stock, no point trimming 2mm off each end when it could stick out a little Qty 3 C-beam 1000mm X, Y axis - > Solidwork model 1000 mm Qty 1 C-beam 310mm Z axis (this could possibly be shorter, have not finalised this yet) -> Solidwork model 250 mm *** Beardy has a longer stroke on his machine, I was reusing an old 250mm kit The drawings are for the machine I have built although they are based on Kylo's & beardy's it is different
Hi @Apothus I attached the picture as discussed: 20x60 V-slot 880mm base/frame - > Solidwork model 34.646in ( 880 mm... ) i made a error of conversion.. 20x60 V-slot 996mm base/frame - > Solidwork model 39.370in (999.9 mm) 4 mm of difference...
Ok great, Looks as though that 880 length is perfect then and the same as beardy's The other 4mm length is as I discussed. That length is not critical, the end faces dont mate against anything else so I just used the 1000mm stock I had available. Shipping to Australia is expensive and slow so it makes more sense to use what I have in stock already.
Can this be built from the start of a C-Beam XL kit? I just purchased the C-Beam bundle, and I’ve been looking at building it as a stationary bed with moving gantry.
You could repurpose some of that parts but these builds use more wheels and typically have differeny configuration of axes. The easiest way to answer that question is to compare the Sphinx BOM with what you purchased
