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Author Topic: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine  (Read 15421 times)

Offline Brass_Machine

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OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« on: October 22, 2019, 10:01:59 PM »
I have some upcoming projects that need some flat pieces cut out of brass, aluminum and plastic. Mainly decorative discs. I really have yet to finish the rebuild of the CNC bench mill... decided to look into a slightly easier method.

I found a CNC router using the 8020 style aluminum extrusions. Has some decent reviews. Talked to a few people using one. I decided to pull the trigger and buy one off ebay. ($460 us with steppers)



Openbuilds C-beam Machine

Some digging and I found a few mods to make it a bit more rigid than it is... but it should work as it will only be cutting soft materials no bigger than 5" in diameter.

I also decided to go with the OpenBuilds black box for control. Guess it is a GrBL style controller? Figured it was cheap enough to give it a shot.



BlackBox

I will be starting a build thread on it in the next couple weeks.

Still trying to decide on what I am going to use as a spindle...

Eric

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Offline awemawson

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #1 on: October 23, 2019, 03:09:13 AM »
I’ll be very interested to watch this one Eric.

Glad to see that the new job still leaves you relaxation time :thumbup:
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Offline Joules

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #2 on: October 23, 2019, 06:54:24 AM »
Go for it, I have been looking at the Ooznest offerings here in the UK.

https://ooznest.co.uk/product/workbee-cnc-mechanical-kit/#size-colour

When I let my big cnc router go I kept the 3 phase brushless spindle in the hope another, smaller router might shoehorn into the workshop.
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2019, 10:20:06 PM »
Quote from: awemawson on October 23, 2019, 03:09:13 AM
I’ll be very interested to watch this one Eric.

Glad to see that the new job still leaves you relaxation time :thumbup:

Yup... Haven't had time to do much. New job had me fly out to Texas...

Got the kit in. Started playing with it a bit. Will post more later in the week. Have to get the kids Halloween costume together first...
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #4 on: August 17, 2020, 12:19:19 AM »
Ok...

Parts came. Went together easily... Then it sat. I kept seeing things to improve. My time was short so I never got to implement them. I decided to rebuild it before I even used it. I ordered the parts to convert it into a different CNC Router. This one was also on OpenBuilds. The Sphinx55



I ended up getting it converted and was able to cut some stuff. Did very well with wood. I was able to get some 3D Carved signs made for presents.

It could cut aluminum... but the cuts had to be light and speeds/feeds almost dead on. I traced a lot of the quality issues I was having to some play in the Z axis. I knew this wouldn't be the stiffest things in the world, but I thought it would be better than what it was.

I started researching ways to help stiffen things up. I then found THIS:



Oooh. I like that. But, I didn't like the 12mm linear rails. I have those on my Ender 3. They are fine for a printer. And I am quite sure, about a million times stiffer than the stock wheels. I just didn't want the 12mm.

I email the guy selling the plates and ask him about a set of plates for the 15mm rails instead. He tells me that he designed a kit for the 15mm rails but has not yet machined a set yet.

Sign me up!

I think to myself... While I am at it. Why not increase the footprint. Right now it is at 500mm by 500mm. Let's make it 1000mm by 500mm.

Ordered a flurry of parts

Aluminum extrusions for the base
1000mm C Beam and Acme Screw for the X axis
Plate kit from Blue Ox Solutions
15mm Linear rails and bearing blocks (1000mm and 500mm(2))
A new Z axis actuator from CNC4Newbie
A bunch more bolts/nuts etc...

As soon as everything gets here, I will start tearing down and rebuilding.

[TL/DR] I am on the 3 rebuild of a CNC router to add 15mm rails to it.
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #5 on: August 17, 2020, 10:12:31 AM »
I did get some things in already.

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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #6 on: August 17, 2020, 10:14:15 AM »
So I started the tear down.
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2020, 10:00:57 AM »
While I wait for a few more things... I started to put the base together.

I still need to add some cross members to the bottom of the frame. I have decided to add some t-slot track instead of just a spoil board. Those should be here tomorrow. I can then think about how the crossbeams will be setup to support the t-slot track.
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Offline vtsteam

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2020, 10:06:38 AM »
Watching, Eric.  :dremel:
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2020, 10:07:08 AM »
I also did a bit of work to the X gantry.

By itself, the C-beam is an 80mm by 80mm that is a 1000mm long. That is basically, well... C shaped. Not sure how stiff it will be so I am adding some bracing.

I will end up using adapters and plates to add a 20mm x 40mm extrusion to the top of the X gantry and a 20mm x 20mm to the bottom. When you look at it from the side, will sort of resemble an I beam. I decided to add a length of aluminum angle as well...

You can see in the last picture, a couple of the alignment blocks I 3D printed to help install the rails.
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Offline efrench

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #10 on: August 22, 2020, 02:42:09 AM »
One problem I've run into with MGN linear guides is the carriages are not sealed.  This doesn't matter on a 3d printer, but it's the pits on a router :hammer:  Fortunately, they are easy to disassemble and clean.  I'm currently experimenting with using felt furniture pads which have an adhesive back to cover the open bottoms as well as adding 3d printed covers.  So far it's been working well.

p.s. A bag of 1000 ball bearings is cheap insurance  :clap:
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #11 on: August 22, 2020, 10:28:21 AM »
Quote from: efrench on August 22, 2020, 02:42:09 AM
...
I'm currently experimenting with using felt furniture pads which have an adhesive back to cover the open bottoms as well as adding 3d printed covers.  So far it's been working well.

p.s. A bag of 1000 ball bearings is cheap insurance  :clap:

Tell me more? Got pictures etc?
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Offline efrench

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #12 on: August 23, 2020, 02:23:35 PM »
Breaking down the rose engine to show the felt wipers on the linear slides is not an easy task :(

Here's the bottom of an MGN carriage:

 


And a couple of shots showing the 3d printed covers:
 

 


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Offline awemawson

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #13 on: August 23, 2020, 02:33:19 PM »
Looks as though a vacuum extractor cup round the router head would be a good investment!
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #14 on: August 23, 2020, 03:18:35 PM »
Andrew,

I learned quickly that a dust boot was needed. First time I cut a wood sign, my whole shop got covered in layers of sawdust.

I ended up 3D printing one and a cyclone bit that attaches to a 5 gallon bucket to swirl the dust down and keep it out of the shopvac filter. Works well too...
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #15 on: August 23, 2020, 04:04:31 PM »
This is the dust cyclone I printed:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2104717

And the dust shoe

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2802301

Had to design and print some hose adapters for it. But, it works fantastic.
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Offline mattinker

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #16 on: August 23, 2020, 05:36:26 PM »
Hi,
J Phil Thien cyclone is an easier shape to build than the conical design, it is potentially more compact and is a proven design!


http://www.jpthien.com/cy.htm

https://woodgears.ca/dust_collector/separator.html

https://makezine.com/projects/cyclone-dust-collector/

Cheers, Matthew
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #17 on: August 23, 2020, 05:46:09 PM »
Quote from: mattinker on August 23, 2020, 05:36:26 PM
Hi,
J Phil Thien cyclone is an easier shape to build than the conical design, it is potentially more compact and is a proven design!


http://www.jpthien.com/cy.htm

Cheers, Matthew

Will have to look at that when & if the one I printed breaks. Thanks!
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #18 on: August 25, 2020, 09:18:44 AM »
Quote from: efrench on August 22, 2020, 02:42:09 AM
One problem I've run into with MGN linear guides is the carriages are not sealed.  This doesn't matter on a 3d printer, but it's the pits on a router :hammer:  Fortunately, they are easy to disassemble and clean.  I'm currently experimenting with using felt furniture pads which have an adhesive back to cover the open bottoms as well as adding 3d printed covers.  So far it's been working well.

p.s. A bag of 1000 ball bearings is cheap insurance  :clap:

I had a good look at my bearing blocks. The look a bit different from yours... Mine are sealed.

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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #19 on: August 25, 2020, 09:27:27 AM »
I was able to get into the workshop last night for a little awhile.

I was able to do some pre-assembly and test fitting. I lost a little on the X axis due to the gantry plates sticking further outboard the the stock roller plates. Ended up trimming about 2" from the bottom rails.

I got the X Axis mostly assembled. Thing weighs a ton without the Z Axis. Beginning to wonder if the puny stepper motors will be able to handle it or if I am going to need to order some stronger ones

I got to the point of test fitting the built X Axis before I called it a night.

Tomorrow I hope to get the screws in for the Y & X Axis. Have to take the gantry plates off and mount the anti-backlash nuts...
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #20 on: August 25, 2020, 10:05:04 AM »
Now that I am thinking about it, I think I should do some prep work on the linear bearing blocks. Just watched a couple of videos on cleaning and lubing them. Looks relatively easy enough, just have to make sure I don't lose any bearings!
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Offline vtsteam

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #21 on: August 25, 2020, 12:31:52 PM »
Quote from: mattinker on August 23, 2020, 05:36:26 PM
Hi,
J Phil Thien cyclone is an easier shape to build than the conical design, it is potentially more compact and is a proven design!


http://www.jpthien.com/cy.htm

https://woodgears.ca/dust_collector/separator.html

https://makezine.com/projects/cyclone-dust-collector/

Cheers, Matthew

Thanks for those, Matt.  :coffee:
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Offline efrench

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #22 on: August 25, 2020, 01:19:11 PM »
Quote from: Brass_Machine on August 25, 2020, 10:05:04 AM
Now that I am thinking about it, I think I should do some prep work on the linear bearing blocks. Just watched a couple of videos on cleaning and lubing them. Looks relatively easy enough, just have to make sure I don't lose any bearings!

When removing the carriages from the rails, lay the unit on a flat surface covered with a towel.  The carriages should be on the bottom.  Remove the rail from the carriage not the carriage from the rail. 
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #23 on: August 25, 2020, 01:49:11 PM »
Quote from: efrench on August 25, 2020, 01:19:11 PM
When removing the carriages from the rails, lay the unit on a flat surface covered with a towel.  The carriages should be on the bottom.  Remove the rail from the carriage not the carriage from the rail.

Thanks for that advice. Any recommendations on cleaning and lube?
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Offline efrench

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Re: OpenBuilds C-Beam Machine
« Reply #24 on: August 25, 2020, 03:54:20 PM »
I used WD40 and pipe cleaners until I couldn't detect any dirt on the pipe cleaners. I used lithium grease, but I'm not positive that is the recommended lubricant.  As far as cleaning the balls, I just rolled them around on the terry cloth towel. 

I had one carriage which still ran really rough after the initial cleaning.  After replacing the balls, it ran smooth. The quality of the generic MGN linear guides can leave a lot to be desired   :wack:
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