Friday, September 24, 2010

Further fabrication on CNC axis

Over the semester break I sourced the slider rail for my CNC axis. I went to Industrial Automation Systems, a commercial company that specialises in CAD/CAM machinery. They were happy to help a uni student, and gave me lots of advice on which slider to buy. Unfortunately because I had decided to go with stainless steel, the slider turned out to be rather expensive ($200). I could have made the slider myself using bearings and other hardware, however I felt that I wouldn't be able to achieve the smooth action and high strength the industrial slider could achieve.

This week in the labs I made quite a bit progress on the axis:

I was able to get the gantry and slider fully joined up, so I now have a sliding rail that I can bolt the platform for the key striker to mount to.

I also was able to make a ton of progress on the platform itself:
As we have no aluminium welding facilities in the 3D labs I took to to engineering where Mack Henry(!) kindly did the job for me, because I needed the precision only a highly experienced welder could achieve.
I have also got the stepper mounted to the platform with the belt-sprocket thing attached to it.

Over the course of fabricating this CNC axis I haven't quite go the method of striking the keys sorted yet, and I am starting to wonder whether I will be able to keep the CNC axis accurate enough with the high impacts that the typewriter will need to work.

Tags: fabrication cnc

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