CNC router table
Here is the upgraded table. I used 1.5 x 4.5 inch 8020 extruded aluminum. I can use the channels for work holddowns.
Stepper motor and motor mount
One of the X axis stepper motors and motor mounts. Also the new end plate and lead screw bearing configuration. Visible in the motor mount is the shaft coupler which connects the motor shaft to the lead screw.
Lead Screw end plate
The other end of the lead screw with the end plate and the bearing configuration. The end plate is bolted to the 8020 aluminum
Rail support screwed to table
The supported rail screwed to the 8020 alumium. On each rail support I tapped twenty 10-24 threaded holes in the 8020 aluminum. With all of that work I had to show a photo of it.
X axis home switch
New X axis home switch configuration. It trips when the gantry "foot" travels over it. It is bolted to the 8020. No more broken micro switches with this configuration.
Auto tool height
Tool height setting configuration. To start you place one of the "pads" on top of the work surface. The software figures out how height your material is by slowing lowering the tool until it touches. It completes an electric circuit. It then goes over to the "fixed pad" and measures how high it is. It now knows the difference between the work surface and the fixed pad. When you need to change tools the machine will go over to the fixed pad and touch that. It now knows the difference between the last tool and the new tool. It then compensates for that difference so both tools cut at the same height. Cool! And a whole lot more accurate then me setting the new tool height.
8020 profile
This show the 8020 profile. Note that the surface is smooth and does not have ribs like most common 8020 profiles.
Upgraded Z axis
I replaced my old wooden Z plates with 3/8 aluminum plate. This make the router much "stiffer" when it cuts. I also increased the travel to about four inches. I made it so later I could adjust it, if I wanted.
Upgraded Lead Screws
I replaced my old 1/2 inch 10 threads per inch one start acme lead screws with 1/2 inch 10 threads per inch 5 starts. The old screws traveled 0.1 inch per turn, the new one travels 0.5 inch per turn. This is five times greater and increased my CNC table's jog speed from 60 inches per minute (IPM) to 300 IPM. Scary fast to me. The down side is that the accuracy of my table goes form 0.000005 ( 5 One hundred thousands) to 0.00025 (25 One hundred thousands). Think you can tell the difference? The Black screw in the new one. It is has been andoized black.