3d printed form?

For a time I was not writing any blog messages, I was still doing some stuff in the workshop. I followed the flow and bought some 3D printers, even more than one. They are useful tools for my paywork. Maybe some other day I will share info about what I use. For the current CNC I am ending there are some hollow places I could fill with epoxy granite.

I made a funnel on 3d printer

close those gaps and try to fill them with not cured epoxy granite. But as I still use not so much epoxy it was not running well. Even vibrations on the funnel did not help. So I measure those gaps, create a form and I will pour them. Then they will be installed on the machine using some small amount of clear epoxy.

In form you can see my insert made from aluminium, M5 thread. It was made in the way to avoid it being easy to tear from epoxy granite blocks and it will not rotate in holes.

It will be my first test of it. 

Show must go on

Hi, I am thinking if there will be some interest in reading posts on that blog. But recently I started looking back at my workshop and making some small jobs in it. One of the tasks is to end all started machines. Like that CNC which has some elements from epoxy granite. So let's start! One of the things I made is a table for that machine. I used recycled aluminum profiles and plywood. I used some casters to make it movable. There is some place for electronics for CNC in it.

Another thing I made is to fill the bottom of the machine with more epoxy. Its purpose is to make it heavier and less vibrating. In future there will be aluminum table on it. Added also some PE boards to avoid chips and cooling flying around.

Some work on drives is also made

And the electronic board almost connected, some small corrections needed and it will be tested.

I am old school and it still will be driven by Mach3 over the LPT connector. I bought all the elements so long ago and there is no point to scrap them and buy new stuff.

Reuse

Hi,

Do you remember frame that I made from profiles and epoxy granite Lathe body - epoxy&profiles.
I thought to use it as lathe body, but it have dimensions ideal for my X axis. And I will use it.

All free spaces in this machine was planed to fill with epoxy granite. So I can use it as is. Less work for me ;)

Lucas

Come back - new CNC

Hi all,

If you thought that blog end you were wrong. Family eat almost all my free time, until now. I decided to go back to my workshop and build some thing new. First I have to end my old project that was stared about year ago. Second CNC for my workshop.
Table with one drawer and main frame are ready:

What happen with Fightech

Hi all,

I was not posting long time, but there were some reasons. Smaller and BIG ones.
One of most important thing is that Fightech go pro. I started company named Fightech. It was in my mind for long time and now it is reality. I always wanted to connect my hobby and professional skills. And now I am doing it. What I can do:
- design and building test benches for PCB/electronic devices testing,
- programming test benches in Python or NI LabView/Test Stand,
- programming microcontrolers,
- design digital and analog electronic,
- design and building CNC machines,
- building 3D printer,
and others.
My business expands to get new machines and new skills.


Nevertheless I will post new things here soon as I still build some new things in my workshop.

Lucas

Workshop update

Hi,

Last time when I have visitors in workshop, they said that it is totally different from what they seen on blog. So small update of current layout (before some other things will be presented). Forgive me for the mess.

New/old CNC after some upgrade. Lot of epoxy granite used to reinforce construction. Wider X axis, ball screws installed on all axis, new enclosure. Still waiting for new spindle to rebuild Z axis.

 Drilling spot, rack with materials.

Assembly table with PC to draw all elements. Plan is to made it from 8020 profiles, but have no time ;)

Bigger CNC. It have dissembled Z axis, as cheap ball nut from China has lost all balls from nut. New one is waiting for installation during weekend. Some new "project" stuff is also visible, but I will write more about it in another post.

Manual lathe and rack with screw.

I hope I will stay in this place till next winter, but who knows.

Lucas

Epoxy granite CNC part

Hello,

I like to share some epoxy granite element that I made to my CNC. I decide to made small modernization of my smaller mill. But like always modernization goes to total rebuild of machine.
One of step was to add stiffness and weight to old frame made from aluminium profiles.
Easiest way was to pour out some epoxy granite. When Y and Z axis was easy, because frame was already done, than X axis I have to  build from scratch.
Here I will describe how I made it.

Lathe tools

Hi,

I have some carbide inserts, but no holder for them. So idea was to create such a tool. I have some leftovers of PA6 Aluminum and decide to use it.

First tool is normal one installed in lathe tool post.

Cheap rotary tumbler

Hi,

Sometimes I cut a lot of small aluminium parts. Deburring them take a lot of time. That why I need something that will help me to do it automatically. I made rotary tumbler.

 

Lathe

Hi,

Once in the past I sad that lathe is one of the most important tool in DIY workshop. And this did not change. That why I decided to buy again lathe, and this time I will not sell it.
I was checking www.allegro.pl and looking something affordable for me. I do not need big one in this moment. And PROMA SM - 300E show up. It was quite old (2006 production), but from pictures it looks OK. I decided to go and see it, and it look that it was not used! Everything was looking like new, and it still was in original box. I decided to take it, prize was very good in my opinion.

New dust foot

Hi,

Whit new machine I made much more Plywood, MDF and dust board cutting. There is a lot of dust and chips flying around. In whole room there was mess. So "dust foot" was a must have thing.
I had to remove Z axis from machine.

On the bottom of it I drilled 4 holes and taped them M4.

 From 4 mm Aluminum plate I cut holder and screw it to Z axis. This will be permanently installed on machine. Additional hole is for my vacuum hose.

Biggerc CNC - update

Hi all, 

It was long time as I was not posting here new stuff. But I had so much things to do, sweet life in countryside ;) Despite there was no publications I was doing some small things. 

But Fall came and I will have more time for my hobby. 

Modernization of my old CNC end with complete rebuild of everything. Only computer did not change Below some photos. 

 New driver with cooling fans.

Still missing: switch limits, E-stop button, LCD holder.  

Vacuum table

Hi,

Sometimes friends ask me if I will cut off the PCB on my CNC. So I use double-sided tape to hold laminate on table. But this is not good way. Only THT elements could be cut like that. Sometimes it loos grip, it is hard to do 2 layer PCB. The most problematic thing for me is to use engraving cutter and not destroy it. I have in my workshop 2 vacuum pumps.

So I can use them. Conclusion is clear - to build vacuum table. I check internet for some examples and I made first trial to build it.

CNC almost done

Hi,


Last days I do not have much time to work in workshop, but I try my best. So I am still doing modernization. I bought 2 ball screws and nut to gate (Y axis) move. I had to create mounting bearings and nut holder. I made it on my smaller CNC.

Lathe body - epoxy + profiles

Hi,

I had to sell my lathe some time ago. I had no choice but I think that it was big mistake. This is one of most important tool in workshop, when you like to build something more complicated.
So I have to get one in my shop back. I can not afford to buy new one. I am afraid to buy used one, not to get junk. So why not to try build one.

I have some spare 45 x 90 mm profiles, 1000 mm length. And a lot of smaller parts.
From my friend Jarek I have 4 kg of epoxy resin and hardener. It is a little bit old and I have to use more hardener that was in original recipe. Sand is no problem.

I decided to use mix 20% of epoxy and rest of sand. I would like to have profiles filled up very precise.

 top

and bottom of profile after filling up with mix. 

Modernization ?

Hi all,

While working on the current project I do not know whether it should be called "modernization". At the present moment the machine is completely rebuilt, and from old machine, I used the electronics and one propeller. Below the promised pictures.

 This is how it looks now.

Modernization - next steps

Hello,

I have problems with my camera and I can not show current status of the machine, but it is almost ended. Some old photos I found I will share now.

But in that moment I have only missing some belts and cables to get it work. I hope I can sent post more frequently in future. 

Lucas

Modernization - new progress

Hello,

I used some free time and opportunity that I have workshop at home and create some new parts. I need to do modernization of this CNC as fast as possible.

Main profiles to gate are assembled. There will be additional reinforcement added to back of it. On left side I made from 15 mm thick aluminium place for bearings for screw. You can not see it, but it have place to install stepper motor. On third photo is additional cover to bearings and nut holder. I used screw and nut  (Tr 14x4) from old machine. If I have free money I plan to install there ball screw.

Changes

Hi all,

After long period of silence finally I found time to create new post. As title says: changes. That is main thing that was happening during end of this year 2013 and will be in new 2014 year.
First of all I moved to a new place. Finally it is my own one. So I have to move all my things from home and my workshop. Renovating of the house was on the first place on the list to do. I need place to live and sleep.
Workshop is bigger problem. I have a garage where will be my permanent workshop. But roof of it has no isolation, winters in Poland are cold. So I can not move in there right now.
I made agreement with my fiancee and one of rooms will be my temporary workshop till Spring time.
(Sorry for poor quality of photos. I made those afternoon and light in my room/workshop is poor)

FIGHTECH is still alive

Hi all,

Figtech is alive. I did not forget about blog, but currently I have moved to new place and workshop is not set up. I hope that before Christmas I will show some new pictures.

Br,
Lucas