I took a slight detour in my continuing CNC conversion project today. I decided that since I had the Z-axis apart and on the bench, I'd put in the new motion control hardware: ballnut, mount, ballscrew, and motor mount. All the stuff I've been working on for a long time.
You'll notice there's a handwheel on the motor. That's a spare I keep around from the Sherline and use on occasion with it. I used it here to help line up the motors and mounts while getting everything running. It's already off the machine. Everything is a temporary setup, including LinuxCNC, which is using my Sherline configuration file.
I could have left this for later, after the X/Y table is done, but it's nice to see real progress like this. Because motion!
That is going to be one sweet machine when you are done.
ReplyDeleteI've been telling myself that for a long time. Thing is, once it's up and running under CNC control, I still have work to do: the flood coolant, and the enclosure for starters. It will be able to make useful parts before I finish everything, though.
DeleteAnd a murmured, "It's alive," is certainly called for.
ReplyDeleteJohn beat me too it, but I would have been screaming "It's ALIIIIIVE!!!" in my best Mad Scientist voice.....
ReplyDeleteWell, to be honest, it was more like a high five and hug than Gene Wilder in Young Frankenstein.
DeleteYou are doing an outstanding job on this project! I helped my son do this conversion to his g07074 a year or so ago, and I have to say that I'm a little jealous over that chip tray! :) Milling aluminum ends up with shiny oil coated glitter tracked all over our floor.
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