2014-PT prototype built

[Chris@home]

more next.

[oscar]

Please keep posting Chris!

[Remklep]

Any news on the new design Chris?

[Chris@home]

Thanks for asking.

Ive been really busy over the last months of 2014,
so thats causing the delay.

Sure more to expect in 2015!
Little patience....

To all visitors seasonable greetings and the best wishes for 2015!

 -chris-

[Chris@home]

2014PT preparations are now well on the way....
Just had to finish these two puppies first 



Actually, I do have to finish the wiring on my new low budget 2012 demo machine ,
and the one with the red tabletop got a happy new owner yesterday

Now Ive got a littlebit more time for the -PT- project.
Should call it 2015PT

Later,
-chris-

[Chris@home]

Hi guys,

Making good progress now on the 2014-PT.
Cabling almost done, mounted onto a tableframe
and next some trials will follow.

Something even more interresting:

A new 3D CAD program is "born"

https://www.onshape.com/

Here a great 3D software program just running in the internet browser...
Works even on a modern phone or tablet.
This is a interresting and innovating piece of software engineering!

Ive just imported my SolidWorks BigLift project into Onshape
and although this is a BETA it does already works superb!



Try and use it for free.
Up to five projects!

This kind of functionality will prob be sufficient for most CNC-3D printer hobbyists.

Njoy,

-chris-

[Alex]

Also started to play with Onshape. Really good software also the learning curve is not big.

[Chris@home]

Yes its real nice, and convenient while being on the move.
Looking at some of the examples, and trial drawings done very powefull!

For hobby use at least,  its more than a great find....

-chris-

[Chris@home]

Anyhow, on topic again....

After a very busy period, I did refind my energy to continue this build.




Yesterday I finally got to mechanics connected to the new controller .....
and we now have some serious movement

Unfortunately my standard BIE1900 controller was unsuitable for these bigger motors and so looked for an alternative.
With a budget 4.2Amps Nema 23 Wantai set from Ebay I get a very dependable 5000mm per minute.
This speed is achieved even with the higher friction of the dual-ballnut & ballscrew drive.
(Off course there are much better and thus more expensive drivers available but thats not the goal here)

The LED strips under the bridge is a new experiment to get rid of the previous LEDARC next to the cutter.
In daily life the LEDARC does get cluttered with dust and dirt pretty quickly
and so I did find this new solution of providing me more light to the table (and workshop)

Anyhow, got this setup running for a few hours and I am very happy so-far.
Here a short video....

http://www.zoltar-cnc.nl/media/forum/2014PTfirstrun.mp4

(This is the true speed)

-chris-


03062015 -added a short video-

[gait]

Hi Chris,
 Congrats with this new machine in the Zoltar line of killing machines. I'm looking forward to the milling  results! On the video iT is running smoothly.

Regards,

Gerhard

[Remklep]

Looking good Chris.
I'm looking forward to some accuracy tests and pricing offcourse...

Danny

[Chris@home]

Thanks guys!

Killing maybe a bit high fetched, but I am very happy with the result.

I must say that I am pleasantly surprised with the machines dynamics,
as a whole it does have all that mass to move around.

The costs to build this setup are somewhat higher than the 2011-CL
due to the extra rails and heavier structure.
Total material costs I have to figure out exactly,
but should be about similar ranged as a China 6040 at about 2000€.
Just with the dual drive on X and dual ballnuts on all axis - better-

For me, after building the Trespa 2013-TR machine experiment -
creating this setup was a personal challenge to see if that goal
to beat a China built machine with equal or similar parts would be feasible.

First, indeed, lets create some chips.
Looking forward to that, as I am in desperate need for aluminium parts.

More next

-chris-

[Chris@home]

Hi Guys,

Short update, progress on this project is slow.
Positive and stimulating is the arrival of the much needed VFD.
It almost did take a month to arrive.......



Also the ER11 collets did get here yesterday, so heading for the last few jobs:
Fixing the cablesupport underneath the table.
Further the steppercables and controller have now decent connectors
and found a suitable netfilter which needs a space in the controllerbox.

More next.

-chris-

[Chris@home]

Good news,

The VDF is luckily doing what it should do.
Now the spindle works!
So the final jobs are:
-attaching the end and reference switches.
-Installing the cable support.

Still, even without that finished I can start on some trial cuts.

A small project .....



My old colletbox being falling apart after four years, a new box is needed.
The current plastic BOX proved to be unsuitable.
Now with an extra set of collets for use here @ the homeshop with the 2014-PT
two boxxes can be cutup.

more next.

-chris-

[Chris@home]

Nothing special actually, but this is the first pocket cutup.
This was a scrap piece of special aircraft grade quality ALU,
and must say that its very tough material.

The cutting result is very satisfactory......

-chris-