My Newb Plasma Table Attempted Build

That's what I have. The problem turned out to be the way I clamped the ends onto the v-slot extrusion. It chewed into it and then the tension was pulling it apart at those particular points. I ordered some more belt (it's only on the 2 Y axis rails) and I'll make a less harmful clamp for it.

Also not a waste diagnosing it, as those mounting screws on the stepper motor needed to be placed the opposite direction. I have some paying work for the table so I'm getting more and more practice lol. I'll be glad when I make the money back that I put into it.

This is what I have at every end.

Are you running a belt-on-belt (as a rack)?

No, just a single belt.

I'm running belt on belt, and because of the v-slot it's a bit tricky. I like those toothed clamps like you have but the tensioned belt is teeth-down. I'm probably just going to run the new belt over the end and clamp it there somehow. At the moment it's just an upside down t-nut with a screw, and the part of the screw that clamps down on the belt kinda ate through it.

They 'say' no tension is needed, as the belt teeth rest on the one that's glued down. But I find that the hard acceleration will make the 'static' portions bunch up if not clamped and pulled tightly.

Your machine is so much cleaner and nicer looking than mine.

Your machine is so much cleaner and nicer looking than mine

But I only showed you the clean bits and not the mistakes.

And I only showed you the clean bits of mine as well

I am reasonably happy with mine. The 20 tooth pulley with GT3 belt is a bit too coarse so I need to gear that down. I bought a C&N Z axis and it is a POS, even the ballscrew is bent so I think I might replace that with a GT2 belt but not sure yet.

phillc54 wrote:

Your machine is so much cleaner and nicer looking than mine

But I only showed you the clean bits and not the mistakes.

I thought you said once you had a baby table so has it grown up a bit?

No, it's still only 600x600. I tried watering it but it didn't grow.