Thank you!
Yes, I have to see everywhere in the forum, I think all of my questions can be answered here.
For there are many good builders here.

Rails
 

I am looking at buying linnier rails for my MM when I get arround to building it.
The supplier can only supply 3000mm tenghts and I was looking at going 4000mm. The supplier says you can join them but doesn't like to suggest how this should be done.
My main concern is if the joint is the slightest amount out of alinement in any direction it will not only damage the rollers and bearings but will jump or distort the cut.
Has anybody joined rails and how was it done

Stuart,

http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showt...p?t=794&page=3

Look at post # 93. There is a picture of the two rails end to end. I did not do anything to the ends that came from the supplier. Before I had the machine up and running, I was concerned that where the two rails meet would be a problem. I even thought when I rolled the gantry over the X rails that I could hear some clicking at the point they joined. Since I am running I have not noticed any problem.

I tapped the rails. Be careful when you drill your holes that the rail is tight against the top of the aluminum and of course tight against each other.

I have one joint on each X rail and one on each Y.

I hope that helps. If you want more pictures, I can take some more and post them.

...Careful alignment and alternating the seam lines so they do not occur in the same Y plane keeps any joint challenges to a minimum. The joint line in the alternate configuration allows for only (1) bearing to see a joint at a time.

....Now I only wish those expansion joints in the highway would have a slight angle to keep my truck suspension from jarring me so much!

Sean

Rails
 

Thank You To Sailfl & Sean For The Info Sets Me At Ease A Little And I Hope They Are As Accurate As You Say

Correct dimensions
 

Gerald,
If my working area is 450 x 300 cm, referring to your PDF I understood that in order to calculate X and Y size the calculation can be the following:

10 10 123 - Support board: 38 x 12 + 0,29 x 2 = 456,58 cm --> Length
38 x 8 + 0,19 x 2 = 304,38 cm --> Width

Then:

10 10 322 - Main longitudinal beams: 456,58 (Support board L.) + 60 = 516,58 cm ---> X Size
10 10 302 - Cross bearer: 304,38 (Support board W.) + 42 = 346,38 + 1 (weld space) = 347,38 cm ---> Y Size


Is this correct?
Thanks for all and sorry to bother you with this simply question (I am a very CNC newbe)

Andrea

If your working area is 450 x 300 cm, then your X=4500mm and Y=3000mm

From drawing 1010123, you buy a support board 4500mm X 3000mm
- to calculate the cross support spacing, 4500 - (2 X 29) = 4442 which must be divided into spaces of between 350 to 400mm. You can use 12 spaces (13 supports) of 370.2 mm
- drilling the holes in the Y direction: 3000 - (2 X 19) = 2962 which must be divided into spaces of between 350 to 400mm. You can use 8 holes which are 370.25 mm apart

10 10 322 - Main longitudinal beams: 450 cm (Support board L.) + 60 = 510 cm
10 10 302 - Cross bearer: 300 (Support board W.) + 42 = 342 cm (DO NOT ADD the weld space. . . . . it is a space for the weld)

Gerald,
the very first step is done!
Thanks again
Andrea

board size
 

400 X 1000mm

Hi -I live in florida SA, and i am interested in building one of these machines.
But before i start what is roughly the cost to build one of these machine that could take a standard MDF 9x6 board. And do i get get std part that are locally available.

In US dollars, depending on your ability to alternate source things like steel, enclosures, wire and choice of amplifier cards/breakout board(s) and most importantly spindle/router. You will spend 6-9K. The past 3 builds for me were roughly 5900 (router), 8200 (spindle), 7500 (plasma without the cost of the torch supply unit, otherwise would have been 9000).
\
Hardware cost only. Labor is extra:)

Sean

Exhange Rate
 

It also depends on the exchange rate at the time of your MM commitment to build.

For me in Australia, i would not have even conceived undertaking the project early 2009 when the AUD Currency dropped to 0.62c :eek: Fast forward 1 year and the AUD Currency went to almost parity with the USD at 0.93c making everything cheaper to buy which was the catalyst for me to commit.

board size
 

Hi the common size for me is 5' by 10' boards

Is MechMate #1 still for sale in SA?

Hi Mike, yes it is. why do you ask?

Jim Mulrine
 

As we require the Cnc to cut parts for chair and sofa frames. We will be using mdf and ply wood boards (8' x 4' or 2440 mm x 1220 mm). The amount of parts on a board can be anyhing from 8 parts up to 50 parts per cut. What size of machine would I need to process this. I think for the capacity we would require we would be ok with one router head but I would be advised on this. As a designer I am drawing on DesignCad and would need advice on the best software convertor for it. How much would a machine like this cost.

Jim

Hi Jim,

Once you download the plans you decide on the size of the machine. If you want to cut 2.4 x 1.2 meter boards, you use this and the plans indicate that you should add 500mm to allow for the overhang etc. So the table should be min. 2940 x 1720.
Once you have your plan in DXF you import it into something like Vectric V-Carve Pro, set up your cutting paths and export to Mach3 that drives the machine.

Hello everyone. I am yet another Newbie to the CNC Router world and am wondering if the MechMate plans could be used for a smaller unit, more like an engraver with a 12" x 12" routable area (I will also be looking at adding a 4th axis so I can engrave cylindrical objects too). Any comments?

Cas,
I do not think this design would lend itself to a footprint that small. The Y car assembly is larger than that. 4 x 4 feet I would think would be the smallest practical size in my opinion. www.cnczone.com has a multitude of small router designs if you are interested in that size range. :)

Heath,
Thanks for the insight. I still haven't downloaded the plans, but after I posted the question I have seen others say 4'x4' should be the minimum. Your response is appreciated!

Hello,

Well like everybody else in here I started my plans for cnc.
The plan is to build CNC router that would be able to cut 2050 x 3050 sheets (because sometimes we need to cut big sheets of pvc) but it also have to be able to cut plywood and over harder plastics.

So the main question is this table size is stiff enough with one motor for the gantry? or should I put to motors or use double shaft servo?

And one more question is about the planas, what is the difference between the plans that you can find everywhere on the net and the plans that you can buy here?

Thanks Thomas

Mawe,

If I calculate correctly that is a 6.725' x 10' table bed. I do not see any problems using one motor for the gantry.

I don't know what plans you found on the net but if you are interested in building a MechMate then you buy the plans. You also get the support of the forum and users that have built a MechMate and are making money from their machine.

Good luck.

Mawe,
The Mechmate gantry uses two stepper motors and the Y-Car assembly uses 1 stepper motor. There have been many tables built in that size range with no problems.

Thanks for answers ;) well then it's only time to get budget approved and start planing

Mechmate plans are superior:D and you will not 'shoot yourself in the foot' by trying to experiment with different styles of CNC builds

The MM represent a complete, vetted design that works.
100+ almost identical machines that work and make money are a good assessment of a complete design.

I am in America, Florida. I plan on making a 4" x 8" table. However, I work for a company that wants me to design and make an xy table with a z axis for a medical patch that dispenses a liquid at 10 different points on an EKG patch. In this case the table needs to only be 3x3' or 4x4'. Can I use the software to control the z-axis for dispensing liquid in a controlled fashion use Mach 3 software?

Yes, you can use the mechmate to do this. The software is Mach3 and someday it will/maybe Mach 4. This software is used all around the world by businesses to manufacture products. This software moves the x, y, z axis to an exact location. your z axis will be a dispenser of some type. How much fluid are you moving. This will depend on the type of pump you are using. Pressure delivery depends on ambient temperature and even current atmospheric pressure. I have a lot of experience with catalyst dispensers. Capillary pumps driven by a controlled motor may be something to look at. The pump diagram can easily be exchanged giving you a method of maintaining cleanliness. The fluid never comes in direct contact with any part of the pump itself. Best of luck.

Maybe I use the wrong search strategy, but I did not yet find a general introduction to the MechMate project on this site - all articles get immediately to secondary details like sheet sizes to be processed etc.

Where do I find a general description of the potential result of building a Mechmate, the general concept of the machine, its unique properties, that shows what the machine can (resolution, loads, materials), what is needed to build one (a complete metal workshop including welding and steel milling), what kind of personal skills, what space, what tools are necessary?

Hiding all plans behind a payment barrier is also understandable but not really helpful on the first approach - there are so many DIY CNC concepts in the world today that this is not really inviting - in contrast to the reports of people who have built one.

So, probably all I want to know is here somewhere, just hiding... Or?

Cheers,

U.

Welcome to the forum,
My question to you is where do you want to go with this, router, plasma, cut size in inches or feet Like 4' X 8' cut area or other. for example with a plasma machine you will want the table longer so as to give yourself room as to not hit the carriage with the stock as you are placing it on the table. It all starts with the cutting device, torch, router, plasma.

I will help where I can.
archie =) =) =)

Everything you are asking is answered in the build threads posted. Pull up a chair and spend a few hours reading what others have done. The plans are blueprint to follow. Nothing more.

I thin 4 X 8 is the best for me

That is going to be your choice :)

Hi,
I'm starting to do all the research for building a mechmate as my second router.
I want to be able to cut 2440x1220 sheets, reading a post above it says I will a table with a min off 2940x1720.
What I need to know is the over all lenght of the Y axis from end of motor to the end of the other motor.
I've got to work out if the table will fit into my car shed.

Regards,
Ken

As a ball park estimate, you need foot print of parking space for 1 car for comfortable operation of a 4x8 Mechmate.

Ken (kiwiken), to run 1220 x2440 you will need a machine 3040 x 1720, not 2940. Mine is for 1200x2400 and is 3000 long.

Cheers

Hi,
Bruce - You would still be able to cut 2440x1220 sheets since the MM is designed
to cut 50mm in all directions, is that right.
My car shed is 6mx3m, so I need to know the max width of the Y gantry from motor end to motor end, so I can see if there's room for me to get passed if. I'm not built like a rake.

Regard,
Ken

Do leave walk way around the Mechmate.

Yup, the X should be your cutting X + 600 hence my 3000. I haven't yet come across an MDF sheet 1220 x 2440 so I figured that 2400 should be OK for doing 2440 if neccessary due to, as you point out, the MM being capable of going 50mm beyond any side. Give me a little bit and I will chuck the 2 X motors on and measure across them later tonight.