Step 21: Driver Part 2 - Caps, Resistor Networks and Mosfets

The resistors are in, right? Ah, I know, you want to see the complete assembly before you dig in. Ok, on to this part of the assembly. Please don't ask me what Mosfets are, but the word sound cool! I can tell you that they stand for Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor. I have personally read about fifty descriptions of this electronic animal and I still can't figure it out. It doesn't say much for a Berkeley grad! Well, I'm open to some plain english interpretations without the word "drain" in them. Are you still with me? Read More...


Step 21: Driver Caps RN And Mosfets - The best video clips are right here

Stuff for Sale

Yep, I'm selling things associated with this CNC build. You can get creative with them too. You know, like stick the bearings in actual skates, or something. But seriously, I'm offering stuff like bearings, cross dowels, and my first DVD of steps 1 through 19 (the structure). I will periodically add items such as couplers, other bearing bore sizes for different sized lead screws, and maybe a kit or two. Check out the sale page here!

Benefits of Using Cross Dowels

I created a video to show the use of cross dowels as an alternative to the usual connections. A cross dowel is a piece of hardware to mechanically join two materials usually at right angles. This video Read more...


Benefits Of Using A Cross Dowel - The funniest videos are a click away

Step 20: Driver Part 1 - (Resistors)

Well... here we are, finally getting started with the electronics portion of the video series. The entire structure of the CNC machine is complete with the exception of the router mount. We will get to that a little later. For now, we will start on the assembly of the HobbyCNC 3 axis chopper unipolar stepper driver. Read more...


Step 20: Driver Board Resistors - Funny blooper videos are here

Step 19: X-Axis Motor Mount

This is the last of the motor mounts since there are three axes on this machine. After this piece, the only structural component left is the cutting tool mount/holder.

Quick Steps:

1. Refer to the previous motor mounts with one exception: use one additional nut on the mounting screws. This can also be done on the other motor mounts for extra stability.
   

Official X-Axis Motor Mount Page


Step 19: X-Axis Motor Mount - More amazing video clips are a click away

Step 18: Z-Axis Motor Mount

We've just completed the y-axis motor mount, now let's get to the next axis. The z-axis motor mount is very similar in construction to the y-axis motor mount with the exception of the exissting components around where the motor mount will mount.

Quick Steps:

1. Repeat the steps as demonstrated in the y-axis motor mount.
2. Prior to placing the mount on the y-axis top bearing support, countersink the two screws/bolts for the top portion of the z-axis rail support so the motor mount will lay flat.

Official Z-Axis Motor Mount Page


Step 18: Z-Axis Motor Mount - Watch the top videos of the week here

Step 17: Y-Axis Motor Mount

With the Lead screws completed, the motors can be attached. But wait! The motors aren't going to be able to be attached with the screw sticking out of the machine? That's right... the motors will be attached using a motor mount. It's a read sloppy one, but like the rest of this machine, it works.

Quick Steps:

1. Cut a piece of MDF the size of the motor front but a little wider.
2. Drill a whole bunch of holes, 4 for the motor mounting holes, one for the shaft, and two for the motor mount mount. Yes, I said that right. It's the mounting holes for the motor mount.
3. the correct sequence is critical. Drill a temporary hole for the shaft.
4. Insert the motor and shaft.
5. mark one of the motor mount holes.
6. remove the motor and drill the hole.
7. fasten the motor back in and insert the screw in the newly made hole.
8. mark the rest of the motor mount holes and drill (after removing the motor of course).
9. Make the shaft hole large to allow the coupler to existing within it.
10. Drill the two remaining holes for the motor mount mount.
    

Official Y-Axis Motor Mount Page


Step 17: Y-Axis Motor Mount - The best video clips are right here

Step 16: X Lead Screw and Nut

I left the best lead screw for last. The x-axis screw assembly is a cinch. The process is similar to the y-axis but the entire machine needs to be manhandled, tuned on end and the usual disassembly.

Quick Steps:

1. Mark the inside of each stand where the bottom gantry support meets the stand.
2. Find the center of the stand and measure up 3/8" (half the thickness of the board).
3. Remove the stand and drill 7/8" hole halfway from the outside of the stand then drill a 3/4" hole through the remaining wood.
4. Repeat for the stand on the opposite end.
5. Remove the bottom gantry support and drill a hole completely through aligned with the holes in the stand.
6. Drill a hole that snuggly fits the nut and drive the nut into the wood, careful not to split the wood.
   

Official X Lead Screw and Nut Page


Step 16: X Lead Screw And Nut - Watch a funny movie here

Step 15: Y-Axis Lead Screw

With the Y-axis nut in place, it's time to add the y-axis screw. Unlike the z-axis screw assembly, the y-axis screw will be attached at both ends. Important note: if you're using 609z type skate bearings, use a 7/8" drill bit to match the outside diameter of the skate bearing. Use the 3/4" drill bit for space for the nut.

Quick Steps:

1. Drill a hole on the outside side of the gantry through the same hole from step 14. Only drill half way through the wood. This hole will provide a seat for the bearing.
   
2. Drill a 3/4" hole the rest of the way through. This hole gives room for the nut to spin freely.
3. Do this to both sides.
   
4. Drive the threaded rod through the gantry, through the y-axis support piece, and through the other side of the gantry.
5. Screw a nut then a bearing and then another nut onto the threaded rod on each end.
6. The two nuts other either end of the bearing will secure the bearing in place.
7. Do this to the other side and make sure to secure the bearing tightly against the gantry sides.

Official Y-Axis Lead Screw Page


Step 15: Y-Acrew - Click here for the most popular videos

Step 14: Y Rails and Y Transmission Nut

Let's slap on the rails for the rail support. The rails will enable us to assemble the complete package, without the motion control, of course, but we'll get to a portion of that in this video. What about the motors, you say? In time... In time.

Quick Steps:

1. Cut two rails to the length of the inside dimension of the gantry sides (now established). WE couldn't have cut the rails before we established the gantry sides.
   
2. Assemble what we have done so far (y/z axis assemblies) onto the gantry.
3. Measure carefully and drill and alighn holes for the lead screw.
4. Drive the nut into an appropriately drilled hole.

Official Y Rails and Y Transmission Nut Page



Step 14: Y-Rails And Nut - video powered by Metacafe

Step 13: Gantry Y-Axis Rail Support

Finally, the completion of the y-axis with the installation of the y-axis rail support. Now the y and z assemblies can be whole with the gantry. Also, the gantry will gain much better support with this attachment enabling a tight assembly around the x-axis rail support (cutting surface).

Quick Steps:

1. Cut the y-axis rail support piece to the proper length to provide torque to the x-axis bearings.
2. Connect the y-axis rail support to the sides with careful attention to level for the cutting surface, and height for the z-axis travel and router.

Official Gantry Y-Axis Rail Support Page



Step 13:Gantry Y-Axis Rail Support - video powered by Metacafe

Step 12: Gantry Bearings

The linear slide bearings for the gantry is exceptional in relation to the other bearings. These bearings need length to provide maximum support for the weight and size of the gantry.

Quick Steps:

1. Cut the aluminum angle to the correct length
2. Drill and tap four holes for 5/16" screws.
3. Add one bearing and nut to four 3/4" long 5/16" screws.
4. Screw them into the newly threaded holes
5. Repeat the step for the other gantry side.

Official Gantry Bearings Page



Step 11: Gantry Bottom Support - video powered by Metacafe

Step 11: Gantry Bottom Support

To support the gantry, the underside and the top of the gantry will need support to pull the sides around the x-axis. A wide board at a length more than the x-axis rail support piece plus the bearings and angle offset will be needed. In my case, I used two 4" boards since I have limited resources to cut the boards.

Quick Steps

1. Cut the boards to the length measured after testing the gantry sides assembly. This includes the two gantry sides, bearings, and the x-axis rail support piece with the aluminum angle rails.
2. Cut the board(s) to the proper length.
3. Make the connection to the gantry sides.

Official Gantry Bottom Support Page



Step 11: Gantry Bottom Support - video powered by Metacafe

Step 10: Gantry Sides

Just like the y-axis and z-axis sides, the gantry sides is almost identical except for the size. The gantry will need to hold both the y-axis and z-axis so the gantry needs to be tall and wide. The width will help for overall support for long linear slide bearings, and the height will allow for z-axis travel.

Quick Steps:

1. Measure and cut the gantry sides. The width should be wide enough to establish a center of balance for the router. The height should be the length of where the router will be supported to the collet plus the height of the z-axis mechanism.
2. Make grooves for the linear slide bearings.
3. Assemble the sides to the x-axis rail support piece to determine the lengths for the gantry supports.

Official Gantry Sides Page


Step 10: The Gantry Sides - video powered by Metacafe

Step 9: Z Screw / X Rail

Let's get a screw into that nut so we can have a mechanical functioning z-axis. This is simply a standard screw with a few other components such as bearings to establish a secure spinning mechanism. Additionally, the x-axis rail are cut to size.

Quick Steps:

1. Insert the screw through the holes previously made.
2. Add bearing with two nuts to secure the bearing. On the z-axis, it's only necessary to secure the top since you have gravity on your side.
3. Leave enough screw above the bearing and nuts to place the coupler.
4. Add the coupler.

Official Z Screw / X Rail Page


Step 9: Finish The Z-Axis / X-Axis Angles - video powered by Metacafe

Step 8: X-Axis Stands

How do we lift the cutting surface (x-axis rail support) and reserve a place to the stepper motor, lead screw and nut? With a couple piece of MDF on the front and back of the cutting surface, of course.

Quick Steps:

1. With boards cut to 4" x 2' connect one to each end of the x-axis rail support making the rail support flush at the top.

Official X-Axis Stands Page


Step 8: X-Axis Front And Back - video powered by Metacafe

Step 7: Z-Axis Transmission Nut

To provide for transmission of power for linear movement, a nut needs to be placed withing the z-axis assembly, so the screw can turn and the nut secured to the z-axis assembly can move up and down.

Quick Steps:

1. Drill a bunch of holes aligned through the entire assembly of the z and y axes.
2. Torque a nut into a hole just smaller than the outside size of the nut.

Official Z-Axis Transmission Nut Page

Step 7: Z-Axis Transmission Nut - Click here for this week’s top video clips

Step 6: Y-Axis Assembled

Assembly of the y-axis, including the installation of the z-axis rail support and the y-axis back support.

Quick Steps:

1. Measure the length for the back support and the z-axis rail support by preassembling the components with the help of a clamp.
2. Measure and cut the back support and the rail support.
3. Install the back support using the process from "Making the Connection".
4. Fasten the connections and test the slide.

Official Y-Axis Assembled Page



Step 5: Y-axis Assembly Completion - Click here for more home videos

Step 5: Y-Axis Supports

To build the y-axis assembly, we can take cues from the z-axis build. Essentially, it's the same process. This video will show the two sides of the y-axis, which in part will control the z-axis motion, and the y-axis rail support.

Quick Steps:

1. Get a piece of board that will serve as the y-axis rail support. The length will be determined later when we build the gantry. Anticipate the gantry width and cut the piece about 5" longer to have wiggle room.
   
2. Chamfer the edges to accommodate the aluminum angle.
   
3. Measure and cut for the two sides (actually, it's the upper and lower pieces).
4. Cut grooves for the linear bearings on both sides.
5. Assemble, test and measure for the back support.

Official Gantry Y-Axis Rail Support Page



Step 4: Starting On The Y-axis - video powered by Metacafe