Rather Large ShapeOko

[Improbable Construct]

I just got done expanding the X axis on my ShapeOko. It is now X=1000mm Y=1200. It has a usable cutting area of 800x1000mm. I haven't had a chance to cut anything with it yet. I am still thinking about how I want to do hold downs.
Anyway here are some pictures.

ShapeOko 063 (Large).jpg (127.33 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

ShapeOko 064 (Large).jpg (92.07 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

ShapeOko 065 (Large).jpg (103.89 KiB) Viewed 2087 times

[baz]

That's one big machine! It will be interesting to see how it cuts, do you think the resolution will me the same? Also is there any physical yaw in the gantry when the steppers aren't engaged? (when the steppers have power they should fix it solid)

Regards

Baz

[levlandau2]

Wow, that is great, and it is the upgrade I am trying to implement myself.

I am very concerned about sag in the y-axis, as the weight of the gantry and x-axis start bending the makerslide...? Any thoughts on this? Would it be worth it to firm up the makerslide with extra aluminum extrusions?

[Improbable Construct]

I haven't measured the sag, yet but I will. I am running dual makerslide on the X axis so hopefully that will help. The only thing that is stock on my machine is the z axis. (We will see how long that lasts... I have my eye on an acme screw to replace the threaded rod) I hope to figure out my hold down method and surface my spoil board in the next day or two, if my work schedule allows.

[BrianH]

awesome! Do have a few pics of the x/z plates and how they are mounted? I want add the dual x and just wondering if there was anything I'm missing assembly wise.

-Brian

[Digitalmagic]

How are the 2 gantry makerslides attached together?
Eager to see your scaled up "Hello World!" !

[northbear]

Wow! Looks great!
How is your spoil board attached? (or is it just setting there for now?)

[Improbable Construct]

awesome! Do have a few pics of the x/z plates and how they are mounted? I want add the dual x and just wondering if there was anything I'm missing assembly wise.
-Brian

Start here and if you need more info or pictures let me know.
http://www.shapeoko.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=302

How are the 2 gantry makerslides attached together?
Eager to see your scaled up "Hello World!" !

They actually are not attached together. They are only attached on the ends. I bought some plates to attach them to each other but the wheels hit them. I may still have to do something about that though.

Wow! Looks great!
How is your spoil board attached? (or is it just setting there for now?)

The spoil board is just sitting there right now but I am going to screw it down from the bottom.

[Improbable Construct]

Eager to see your scaled up "Hello World!" !

Here you go:

ShapeOko 087 (Large).jpg (70.88 KiB) Viewed 1929 times

I had to tape two pieces of 18"x24" paper together and it was still smaller than my spoil board.

EDIT: Those are inches on that ruler.

[Improbable Construct]

With the size of my ShapeOko, wire management became a problem, so I ordered some 18x25mm drag chain from eBay.
I ordered from a seller in the USA and got it in two days. I ran it on top of the dual X axis Makerslide rails, between the motor plate and Z axis plate. It worked okay, but was rubbing on the tops of the V wheels. So I ordered a piece of 1-3/4" wide 1/16" thick anodized aluminum channel from McMaster-Carr for my drag chain to ride in. I kludged together some 3/4" aluminum angle and some Misumi angle brackets to raise it above the X axis V wheels.

ShapeOko 082 (Large).jpg (90.85 KiB) Viewed 1916 times

That looks nice and clean doesn't it?

ShapeOko 078 (Large).jpg (101.51 KiB) Viewed 1916 times

I have straightened that angle bracket, it was causing the drag chain to interfere with the Z axis at that angle.

ShapeOko 081 (Large).jpg (80.48 KiB) Viewed 1916 times

Not a lot of clearance on those V wheels, but it is better than the drag chain bouncing across the tops of them.
Also, I had a spare standard plate, so I doubled them up to see if it would help with Z axis rigidity. The jury is still out on that one.