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-   -   5' x 10' Vacuum system #60 - Pembroke, Ont (http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1614)

WFY Tue 07 April 2009 18:09

5' x 10' Vacuum system #60 - Pembroke, Ont
 
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Hi Guys and Gal -
I have been building a MechMate since August 2008. The only thing that has kept me from posting is what seems to be continuous work. I am a one man cabinet / millwork shop and it seems that there is an endless demand for work in my area.
Heath, thanks for supplying the parts - they are top notch! I read the forum posts daily and have to thank everyone for getting me this far along. Most of the mechanical work is done ( welding, drilling, aligning etc. ) and I am up to the control box. Most of the parts are in the shop, G203V's, PK296A2A-SG7.2 steppers and cabinet - power supply, proximity switches and BOB's to get. I have ordered two of the Chinese spindles and they are in Canada but not delivered as yet. What I have planned is a dual Z slide back to back on the Y carriage. There seems to be enough room to add dust collection around the gantry carrier outside with some creative duct work.
Great to be here! Fantastic support from collective minds builds great MechMates!
The attached pictures are perhaps some help for a method to overcome some challenges for the folks not as far ahead.
The boat is what I use to do - 35 years of competition in 3 different categories of racing. This was my the last boat before retiring from racing.

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Some MechMate pictures

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I'm not sure if I am doing the picures correctly?

domino11 Tue 07 April 2009 18:23

Buzz,
Glad you liked the parts. :)
When posting the pics just used the jpg format and they will be shown in the post.
The pdfs will download but you have to download them and then view them on your
own computer.

Looks like your table is coming along nicely.

jhiggins7 Tue 07 April 2009 18:34

Welcome Buzz.

I guess that's YOU under the red helmet in the 1998 Finals.:D

As for pictures...check out this thread by Gerald.

Regards,
John

WFY Tue 07 April 2009 18:53

The jpegs are larger than they are suppose to be. I'll go through the thread that John suggested. Yea that is me in there! Thanks John and Heath.

Gerald D Tue 07 April 2009 23:48

Good progress Buzz!

sailfl Wed 08 April 2009 16:04

Buzz,

Welcome and glade you posted. For me the feedback helped with my build.

Nice boat.

WFY Sat 13 June 2009 15:55

Ready for Paint Tomorrow
 
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:) This weekend should turn the machine MechMate Blue!
Although I am not in the picture I am just as happy as my son that this is ready to paint!

domino11 Sat 13 June 2009 18:58

Buzz,
Good you hear from you. It will definitely look good in that new blue paint. :)

sailfl Sun 14 June 2009 03:38

Buzz,

Welcome to the site.

Dust collection can be done easily with either 6" or 4" piping. You have to decided which one you want to you.

Keep the pictures coming.

WFY Tue 16 June 2009 20:04

The Machine is MechMate Blue!
 
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Hi gang - This has been an interesting 4 days! Jack hammering concrete floors, cement work ,electrical install, and acid washing the steel framing for paint and today starting the final assembly of the mechanical end of this project. I have included the pictures of where we are so far. The electronics will be the next big feat to tackle. If this were a 500MW machine and a boiler that generates 5.5 million pounds of steam per hour it would be easy to understand for me. I will need some help on the electronics. The group here is the best that I have encountered yet to reach a common goal. There is not a day that I go away from reading the daily posts that I have not learned something new!
Thanks to all.

sailfl Tue 16 June 2009 20:11

Buzz,

I like the looks of those rails. I see you used nuts instead of taping the rails like I did. It looks great. Keep up the great work.

WFY Tue 16 June 2009 20:23

Thanks Nils - this is what keeps me going ahead.:)

javeria Tue 16 June 2009 21:05

Buzz - thats a nicely kept shop you have ! and a very good Mechmate build!

domino11 Tue 16 June 2009 21:54

Buzz,
looking good, If you have any questions on the electronics, you have my number. :)

Gerald D Wed 17 June 2009 01:16

With that eager helper and the tidy toolboard this one is going to fly! Well done! :)

domino11 Wed 17 June 2009 10:31

Buzz,
Are you still going with the dual Z slide arrangement? You might be the first to have a MM with a dual Z. :)

WFY Wed 17 June 2009 14:29

Hi Heath,
That is still the plan. I want to get the machine operational first and then add the other Z.

domino11 Wed 17 June 2009 14:44

Should be nice to see two Z axis running. :)

WFY Thu 18 June 2009 18:22

Alignment Method
 
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I have a spot laser that I use on my milling machine and used the method in the pictures to 'square' the x and y axis to each other. The laser dot is not visible in the pictures but it is split on the straight edge and the table. I adjusted and anchored one rail on the x axis and one rail on the y axis. The other side of the x and y axis spacing I set by advancing the x and y frames from one end and tapping the V rail to align the the V bearing. Just lightly tighten the bolts so they will move when tapped and work from one end to the other. Just thought that I would pass this on. :)

DaveB Wed 22 July 2009 01:52

Your machine looks great. I too like the idea of using hardened v-rails for the gantry and y-car guide rails. I'm also in Southern Ontario and was wondering where you sourced yours.

Dave

WFY Wed 22 July 2009 04:03

Hi Dave,
I got the bearings and rails from Superior Bearing. http://www.superiorbearing.com/
Rick is real good to do business with across the border. Progress on the build is at a bit of a stand still - work getting in the way!

WFY Thu 04 February 2010 18:24

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Well it is finally moving! I managed to surface the table top. :) It has been a long hall to get to this point! What I have learned so far - I am not an electronics person - I am a mechanical person. If it was not for the fantastic support from the postings from everyone this machine would still be idle and taking up room in my shop. At least now it will be able to earn its keep. I will be doing more replying in the future to possibly help with new builds.
Thank you all and thanks Gerald for the design and guidance!

The decals should be on by next week.
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riesvantwisk Thu 04 February 2010 19:05

Buzz,

congratulations! I like the setup, I hope the monitor is a bit dust proof? You just need the stickers ;) an you are all set! Hope to see some work soon..

Ries

WFY Thu 04 February 2010 19:36

You are right about the dust. After following the cutter around the table with a vacuum for 45 minutes, I would advise that a dust foot be in place before surfacing a table. Dust proofing the computer area should be a challenge. I have a big job tomorrow cleaning the shop!
Buzz

domino11 Thu 04 February 2010 20:34

Looks great Buzz! Will talk to you soon. :)

Claudiu Thu 04 February 2010 23:47

Machine is looking great, Buzz.:)

Gerald D Thu 04 February 2010 23:55

Good stuff Buzz! How big is the smile on your son's face now? :D

sailfl Fri 05 February 2010 01:30

Buzz,

Congratulations on finishing your build. I recognize all those screws on the rails.... nice job.

domino11 Fri 07 May 2010 13:12

Buzz, did you get your decals on yet? :)

WFY Fri 07 May 2010 15:29

I am working on the vacuum system at the moment. I have divided the table surface into 8 zones and have isolated each one to cut down on leakage. The vacuum motors are mounted under the table and I have installed a piping and valving header on one side to control the zones. This should be running tonight and will post some pictures tomorrow.:D


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