Aka, “Son of Junior”

The intention is to build much bigger CNC router than we currently have.

Effective table area of approximately 40“ x 40” (probably a little less due to spindle width, etc.), Z-axis travel of about 4-5“?

Current Status: Some parts have been built, courtesy of Steve Gray. Parts should arrive at the space at the end of December 2018. Assembly to occur beginning in early 2019.

X-axis: 1/2” supported rails with cast blocks. Leadscrew motion.

Y-axis: 1/2“ supported rails with cast blocks. Twin Leadscrew motion.

Z-axis: 1/2” supported rails with cast blocks. Leadscrew motion.

Spindle: Makita or Grizzly laminate trimmer router. (measure diameter of Grizzly router to see if it will fit)

Frame: Welded square steel tubing? Wooden torsion box? Aluminum extrusions are probably prohibitively expensive.

Dust collection: will be tied into our dust collection system.

Electronics:

• Motors: NEMA 23
• Motor Drivers: TB6600 Gecko lookalikes
• CNC electronics (grbl, BBB, etc.) - Current preferred mechanism is BeagleBone Black with Machinekit. A board for the BBB that splits out its pins to a pair of DB25 parallel ports has been purchased.

Project plan

• X axis
  • what else needs to be done?
  • Turn down end of leadscrew
• Y axis
  • Cut down rails to length if necessary?
  • attach rails to base
  • tap delrin nuts
  • cut leadscrews to length?
  • turn down leadscrews
• Z axis
  • attach spindle mounts
  • attach to X axis
• Table
  • figure out design
    • Torsion box
    • leveling casters?
  • Build the thing
• Electronics
  • Wire up everything
  • Procure motors if needed?
• Misc
  • Dust collection setup?
  • Vacuum hold-downs? (optional)
  • Clean up cast parts