2+2+3 More Plasma builds, double the joy ! 3X2M and 2.5X1.5M cnc plasma build.

I don't remember but it would not have been that much. A 150 mm 16mm ballscrew, a piece of 15mm linear rail and a couple of carriages I got second hand unused from a guy off ebay and some magnets. I used 60mm x 6mm aluminium flat bar for the Z cos it would fit in my little milling vice on my manual SX3. I think the backing plate for the Y was 160mm x 12mm ally flat bar.

I spent a lot of time milling the part the ballscrew nut is mounted to only to find you can buy them premade! But it was also an exercise in getting more confident with my milling machine. Boring the hole for the torch and slitting it was fun and it worked out nice. Most of the machining was drilling holes and tapping (the SX3 has a tapping mode).

The only things I'd change might be:
1. omit the Z axis min limit switch as it never gets hit with material on the table (or swap the striker plate and switch around)
2. Use a mechanical microswitch for the breakaway as the prox sensor sticks out the back ( it is rare to trigger it)
3. Possibly use a planetry gearbox reduction gear for the X axis drive. The bearings supporting the pinion are not cheap.
4. Review the magnetic breakaway. Its probably better to use 3 larger magnets for easier alignment.

I can sell you the plans BTW complete with provision for a Scribe

I haven't got a milling machine.

I bought a Z ready one for 300 Euro, which I think bought in China directly would be much cheaper. In fact I am satisfied.
It's a S series from ccmrails.

Thx for offering your plans. I was very very lucky everything worked out like planed at my build.
I am only thinking replacing rack and pinion for At5 10mm belt which I have already on stock. I am not sure if this would make it worse.

Can youi post a link to the Z axis?

I don't think you will gain much from a belt drive, I'd leave the rack and pinion there.

CNCFred wrote: What is the material costs without nema17? Approx!

4x 16mm linear bearings at 7 euro each
2x round rail 16mm at 25cm each, 10 euro,
1x micro switch for floating, 2 euro
1x proximity sensor for home, 3 euro i think, not sure,
1x leadscrew and nut 9 euro i think
Alu parts 10 euro
screws 2 euro
so a bit over 70, here, most probably a bit cheaper wherever you are.

Ooops, I relised afterwards the question was used at your build Tommy!

www.ccmrails.com/products/ball-screw-actuators-s-series/
S150D I have got

As sad I bought it from a shop here for cnc parts with no knowledge.
But I find it is worth it. For somebody with limited precision machinery! Just bolt on

My rack pinion is not spring loaded so on some positions I have a bit of backlash.
The rack was intended to be mounted spring back.. Didn't work out.

I don't want to capture this nice show off, my deepest apologies!

Well 70euro is nice for such a well done one!