Mini wannabe datron build

Base parts ready to mill.
This is "v2" with the granite plate. Using a temp 12x12 plate cause its here, but it will move to a larger 12x18 plate later.
Stainless threaded inserts into the granite will be fun. I *think* I have a system  down to drill and install them. We'll see haha.

 

Once this base assembly is done I can stick some ethercat servos on and start working out the control. Absolute servos I want to try so the gantry is always precise and you only need to rehome/rack adjust after a disaster.

I'm wondering about mapping now.
I know we can do screw mapping, so our linear 2d motion can be made very precise. But what about 3d compensation? Compensating for deviations from straightness and squareness? I expect to be mechanically good to 0.0005" over the envelope, but I'm curious if we could map it to be even better. I'm not sure how you'd even measure it to enter in values.

 

Coming along.
Anyone ever have custom way covers made?

Hmmm. I might be able to SLS print the way covers from nylon. Looking like around $400-$500cdn shipped for the X axis in the render. That probably cheaper and better than anything else except bellows which are cheap but terrible. Only downside is you don't have a super smooth surface for the wiper seal, but maybe a little brush seal might be better anyway.

Probably in the $1500cdn area for all covers on the machine. Plus another $500 for a printed tool magazine.

And then if a customer smashes a part, they can just print a new one. Very plausible.

JLC yes. No one else is even close to that cheap on large nylon parts.

Working on sheet metal parts as well.
Half guard chip pan. (upper enclosure can bolt on top). i made the rear way cover a tunnel. this lets me keep the depth of the enclosure much smaller. 680mm machine full depth now (not counting door handles etc). Width on the left is the main issue now.

vroom

So this was a total screw up so I edited it into a little art film.
Demonstrates the need for jerk control!

Tool mag for the direct collet spindle on the prototype machine.
Seems pretty easy. I want to use one of the little 100w lichuan ethercat servos with absolute encoder.

In my head this should basically work the same as a static tray atc, commanding the magazine to rotate as a W axis to a position from an o-sub.