TimCooijmans his CNC - Netherlands
 

Here I will be logging my project about my CNC.

I will start with converting the drawings into SolidWorks (3d drawings) and after that building one myself...

Gerald,

Can you give me the dimension of the SpiderPlate? I sketched it in SolidWorks but I come up 4mm too short (192mm vs minimum of 196mm)
My height is 28.45mm, the width is correct (203mm)

Here is a full 3D model of the MechMate:
http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183

For myself, I printed all the drawings in 11x17 and then printed all the photos from the build logs. Then when I was building and ran into an issue, I often found that someone had answered the question on the forum.

I did see that 3d model of MechMate, however it's build with sketch-up, which isn't made for developing stuff. With SolidWorks I can simulate bend-metal and adjust it (ie adding holes etc) That's why I posed the question about the height of the spiderplate. When building it in SolidWorks I missed some mm's.

I can help you model a few components if you want. let me know

email me irfanulla(at)gmail(dot)com

SW
 

I get 190 for that part.
What did I do wrong?

Did you do it in SolidWorks aswell? Check your bend radius and bend type. I'm awaiting a reply of Gerald (or somebody else who want's to measure) to confirm some measurements with the real machine...

Hi Tim,
I’ve done what you hopping to accomplish in SolidWorks, except I’ve used Inventor. Different software I’m certain you know of, same approach. Simply use the supplied DXF files, import those as your basic 2d sketch, constraint it and then modulate it to specs in 3D( at first stick to what’s plan )
For the parts w/bends, you’ll have to adjust the Kfactor ( the bend/stretch factors) to match Gerald’s specs by trial & error. Not to worry about “weird” values, the bent/laser place will work only with your finals sizes-specs. Do not give them those "weird" K-Factors since they will adjust them to accordance with their own specific bending needs.

As for the Spider (#10 40 432), it is design in a matter that once bent to spec (see p85 - #10 40 432BB) it should be narrower then the allowed space for it on the Y-car ( between those #10 30 455 P ). This is, because some shims should be there (between the Y-Car & the spider) to have a perfect fit without stressing the spider & it’s bends, witch if ever it is stress by pressured in, it will throw it out of alignment w/those Dual-Vee bearings !!!
I know there is a thread on this fit subject, just could not find it to leed you to it, but never the less, not to worry about it at your first 3D trial, after you’ve modulate & assemble all you gantry parts, you make you own adjustment to size it.

Hope this can help, Amicalement Robert ;)

Hi Tim

This thread may answer your questions for the time being:

http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?t=438

What part of the Netherlands do you live in?