Working on new gantry and Z axis parts.

[Nando]

Hi guys,

One of the parts I really don't fancy much is the gantry and more specifically the Z axis.

Having the two smooth rods only hold in one side makes it quite weak and easy to get loose

as well as twist.

So I started checking around other CNC's and seeing how this is implemented.

Ended um with a combination of the method used by the PortalCyclone and some others.

It's composed of 4 parts, two sides, one middle section and a top one.

So the smooth rods are hold in place in the top and bottom and the 

Any comments on this, ideas, improvements?

I'm already using belts in the X and Y and would like to use in the Z as well, as top part allows

to adjust the stepper distance and the stock part that might be also an option.

​

Wondering if anyone have gone this path before.

Cheers

-Nando

Sent from my Sinclair ZX81

[Iceflow]

Looks so good :D did it fit the actual cyclone or some tweaks are needed?

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[Nando]

It does, idea was that it would not require any change in the remaining parts or structure.

That posed some challenges due to the distances but should be fine.

The anti-backlash system is still the same and so on...

​

It just new a few more changes, add x endstop part and Z endstop holder and is ready to test.

-Nando

Sent from my Sinclair ZX81

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[Nando]

Well it may require a few extra screws/nuts that are used to keep those parts together but that should be ok.

-Nando

Sent from my Sinclair ZX81

[Iceflow]

Ill wait till you try it!! :D it would be a nice addition to have in a cyclone indeed!!

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[Carlos García]

Hi Nando, indeed it looks very good!

The Z carriage for PortalCyclone has a similar approach, but that one is not compatible with the original design.

Yours seems to be more compact as well. Which software are you using to design it?

Cheers,

Carlos

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[Nando]

Btw, thank Iceflow and Carlos for the feedback.

@Carlos, yes I did look into it first but the smooth rods placement and threaded rod is different.

As well as the gantry is wider, something we can't quite have in the cyclone or it would reduce the working area.

Mine is slightly narrower than the original one. (500mm compared to 550mm)

I tried to make it as wide as the stock one, so that there was no change in the working area. Ended up slightly smaller

but I may give the missing 50mm to the center part so that it has more space to adjust the backlash nut as well as it needs

a bit more space on the top part as the stepper screws and the smooth rods are overlapping a bit.

Btw it will require new spindle holder parts. :(

In this one the smooth rods are 450mm appart while the stock ones are 400mm.

I'm using Inventor to design it, sorry but I can't get my head around scad. :)

-Nando

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[Rodi]

This is pretty smooth :o 

Have you considered using direct drive for the Z axis? And/or keeping the leadscrew unconstrained by the bearing on one side (bottom). Since you already have those smooth shafts it might actually reduce the wobble (if any).

[Nando]

I have, one of the first ideas was about having it with a direct connection, the reason I went away from it was because it would

make the total part even taller as it would need extra height for the coupler.

The second reason was weight distribution, all the weigh would be to the front of the smooth rods, stepper, spindle,... this was

the stepper is to the back of the rods. (not sure if it makes much sense, but I still see the structure not as sturdy as a full size cnc)

As for the unconstrained leadscrew my experience come from the printers and in there I had better results with it constrained in both ends.

This is by far a final design and I'm open to suggestions, I'll see what I can do with the two you sent.

-Nando

Sent from my Sinclair ZX81

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[David Kahler]

Can you post the file for this?