XYZ

XYZ Table Development Log

Here is a log of XYZ table development. The background: build an XYZ torch table for producing the metal components of a CEB Machine. See here for CEB machine fabrication.

Arnar Mar Sig, Iceland Fab Team

Basic electronics specs

When building the router you should be able to use almost any Bipolar stepper motor that has the power to drive the mechanics. I'm designing the motor driver now, the specs are: Support for 3x Bipolar steppers, 30-50V max 6A (200-250W) Input for 3x incremental encoder for step verification and currection. Max step freq of 20kHz RS232 port for programing (Maybe USB)

The board will probably cost between 300-400$us to make.

If you have any input on the design or the machanics then please tell.

Capacities

I just started drawing the CNC rouer in SolidWorks yesterday. The basic version will have 3 axes with an changeable head. The head can be a cutting head, plastic extrude, acetylene/plasma cutter. (The head could also add another axe for 4-5 axe version). I was also thinking about adding fittings to be able to add a rotating spindle to do CNC lathe work.

I've started the design of the motor drivers as you know Smari and I can probable finish the design and send the pcb out to fabrication this weekend.

Casting aluminium isin't so hard. Making the molds is also simple and cheep, just expanded polystyren and plaster. Molds can also be created in sand, but its not as good. Casting carbon fiber is almost like doing fibreglass, you can do it at home buts is messy.

Guide Rails, Encoders

Just talked to Nook Industries. I was told that the linear bearings and shafts are about twice as expensive compared to profile guide rails, so I'll get a quote on that plus ball screws and pass it on. Just a data point.

We can redesign structure easily if needed, by just replacing the linear shafts with linear rails. The rails are supported on their whole length, as opposed to linear shafts, which are supported at the ends.

Their turnkey package for motors, controllers and encoders is under $5k. So looks like your work is Factor 10 Engineering (http://www.10xe.org/). I love it, because $500<$5k. In my language, that's 10 times more freedom.

Bill Swann

I talked to Bill Swan, product designer from Texas, after I saw an XYZ table that he made. http://www.hal-pc.org/~dsbswann4/ ; 7138271503; 8323383080(c). Dbswann4@yahooo.com.

He told me about Nook Industries. Basic design includes:

Shawn Kelly

<bluumax@yahoo.com> date Jan 23, 2008 4:43 PM

Hi Marcin. I would really suggest a Xylotex drive or other known professional drive. I use the Xylotex for my Taig mill. [1] They cost about $500 with motors, but you get $500 worth. I wouldn't trust many drives I see on ebay to run a "real" mill / router table. There is also the Linistepper kit for unipolar motors. I know these work. Cost is about $100 for 3 axis [2] CNC software will run standard G code that is output from CAM to the machine. G code is machine commands & machine coordinates. I use Corel draw to make the parts, save as .DXF & convert to g code using Lazy CAM, part of Mach3 Mach3 actually runs the mill table. [3]

The software (turbo CNC / mach3) reads the g code & feeds it to the Xylotex drive. I'm in a studio apt now so I can't build anything big. There's a lot of stuff on ebay & [www.cnczone.com] is a really good place to look.

$50 for Torchmate 3 size stepper motors: [4]

Tom Lingafelter at Nook Industries

Thank you for your recent inquiry via our website. I would like to discuss your application further at your earliest convienence.

Tom Lingafelter

Lead Engineer - Precision Actuator Group

Nook Industries, Inc.

23300 Mercantile Road

Beachwood, OH 44122-5921

tlingafelter@nookind.com

216-378-9922 ext. 103

216-378-9923 Fax

440-487-8533 Cell

Nema 34 or 42 motor - Gearbox. Frame size of motor. Torque and speed -

Encoder receives feedback from motor regarding motor position. It's an optical disk with slits. Photoelectic sensor, emitter and receiver. Steppers are typically mechanically stable, so you don't need encoders.