Not just another McWire! seriously!

Hi all,
I have a McWire build also. I have the X, and Y stages done and now am working on the Z stage. I started to make the Z stage and felt it just wasn't right, so I threw out the existing design and started to make a Z stage I did like. I didn't like the way the pipe looked so I went with acrylic in a color I did like.
I have made about 1/2 of the new z stage. When I get all the bugs worked out, I will release the files to anyone who is interested.


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/2009 12:45PM by pbharrin.

Here is the X, and Y stages with improvements suggested by others on this forum. (The spacing on the bearings has been increased.)

Also here is a link the my external build, with more details in case anyone is interested.
[vnpf.blogspot.com]

I modified the stepper motor controller layout so it could be built on a one sided PCB. Attached are the Eagle files for anyone to use.
This was done so I could make my own motor controllers using off the shelf copper clad board.

Let me know if anyone needs more explanation. There are some more pictures on my blog here:
[vnpf.blogspot.com]

I have completed my new Zstage for my McWire mod. The range of motion (or whatever you call it, please let me know if you know the correct term) is 20" in the X, 16" in the Y and 6" in the Z. I am mostly completed with the mechanical aspects and will now focus on the electronics.

I tested the v2.3 stepper motor controller with my "harvested" motors and they only work when I keep the 12v supply in the 6-8V range. I think with a power supply over 8V the over current protection circuit kicks in.
Please see my external blog for more pictures and info on the build.
[vnpf.blogspot.com]
Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/2009 11:35AM by pbharrin.

Looks beautiful!

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Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something.

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

Thomas A. Edison

indeed!
Although I don't like that green
Who cares

I wonder if you can fit all the parts on one ponoko sheet.

'sid

Looks like a decent alternative to a laser cut darwin (less fiddly parts), so watching this with interest.

It would be great if you publish your design after you get it working.

"Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black." -Henry Ford

Hey Sid, how big are the Ponoko sheets? I made this on three 12"x24" sheets; two green and one blue. I will most likely add a back to this and a bottom to house the electronics, and add some side to side rigidity.

I will gladly share the design after I get it working.

The local schools have 12"x24" laser cutters in the advance technology lab so if you optimize the layout for that it would be great.

ponoko has three sizes to offer:
P1 7.1"x7.1" (181x181 mm)
P2 15.1"x15.1" (384x384 mm)
P3 31.1"x15.1" (790x384 mm)

The question is, depending on how well the parts are layed out already,
could you reduce the total amount to two sheets (P3) maybe?

that'd reduce the costs (whom do I tell... sorry)

'sid

lovely use of materials!

I've added a back to my cartesian bot to increase the stability and to add a place to mount the electronics. Now I just need motor controllers... boards on the way.
I will make the files available to download.