We start with a sketch and a truck full of steel . . . (ok, a pretty detailed CAD model and lots of Excel spreadsheets too . . . )
The large Z axis allows for a variety of adaptive uses from utilizing the 5 axis for router carving of wood or foam masses as well as for plasma cutting large steel sections like I-beams and large tubes.
5 axis cnc machine with 5'x10' bed and approx. 22" of Z travel.
A axis: 300deg. Travel. C axis: +/- 180deg
Plasma: Miller Spectrum 875 60 amp machine with adapted 25' hand torch.
Router: 5.3hp VFD controlled a/c router with ER20 collet.
The machine is Santiago Perez's Fab Lab at the Fay Jones School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas
Above: the build location--the west room of the shop--partially enclosed at the time--the south side is enclosed with visqueen to keep the rain out of the space . . .
Right: this phase is mostly about drilling holes in the wide flange rails to mount the gear rack on the web and the linear bearing rails on the lower flanges. These holes need to be tapped with 10-24 threads after the pilot holes are drilled. The method then is to mount the geared 1/2" dewalt to the 3 axis 4'x10' table & generate a drill cycle G-code to place the holes. The critical issue is doing a chip breaking drill feed to pull back every few seconds to remove the chips from the hole to avoid breaking the bit.
Far Right & below: The setup for the 3 axis table where the drilling will all happen
Right: Early sketch of the a/c head circa 2009.
Below: The drill mount setup.
Right: The rails setup in the build location with the 3 axis machine ready to fab parts for the next, 5 axis machine.
Right: The drill mount setup and drilling the gear rack to match.
Right: The drill mount setup and drilling the gear rack to match.
Right: early Cad (AutoCad) Model
Right: Verifying hole placement on the rack pieces.
Below Right: The fabricated base prior to getting its legs.
Below: next steps, plasma cutting parts for gantry and motor brackets.