Pro to HD upgrades
Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 12:00 pm
Ok, today my long time awaiting upgrade started. I think there are 3 stages to get the Pro to be running as it should. (Again big thanks to Bob for shearing his knowledge and helping me on this.)
Stage 1, get the table level and supported in the middle if oem blue table is used. They are very strong but when applying pressure from clamps what I notice they might go up only in the middle of the table. Fix is to support them with aluminum bar under the middle of the table.
Stage 2, I think is to upgrade Y axis to supported rails. This would be also good time to upgrade the lead screw when having the gantry all a part.
Stage 3, this should be upgrading the X axis to supported rails etc.. It might be more difficult then Y axis but this would make the ultimate upgrade.
I'll post my progress on the Y axis upgrade to supported rails.
Parts that are needed for the upgrade. I'm sure there could be many ways of getting this installed but I'll list what steps I took to get this done. (I might miss few things that I had already in hand but this is what I remember so far)
Two peaces of 1/2" x 2" 6061-T6511 Flat Bar x 32" ~$40 (ebay)
2 Supported Rails + 4 Block 20mm x 940mm Set ~$160 http://www.glacern.com/sbr (SBR20-940-SET)
HDPE or aluminum sheet 1/2 thick. 24x24 is large enough.. HDPE ~$30 (ebay)
16 screws M6 16mm to support bearing blocks + washers ~$9 (homedepo)
24 screws 1/4 1.5 inch long with nuts and washers to support rails ~$10 (homedepo)
6 screws 1/4 1.125 inch long for z axis mount and nuts
First cut out the sides and the backing before taking the gantry a part.
Measure how much you are going to cut the rail. I put the old rails side by side and mark the length. You want the bar to be longer and the support shorter by at list 3/4. As shown in the next pic.
Then, cut the 1/2 x 2" bars to the same length as the support rails and make matching holes in them.
Take out the oe sides and install the new ones.
Try fitting it on the gantry and make holes in the back of it.
This is where I got so far this morning and will post more later
David
Stage 1, get the table level and supported in the middle if oem blue table is used. They are very strong but when applying pressure from clamps what I notice they might go up only in the middle of the table. Fix is to support them with aluminum bar under the middle of the table.
Stage 2, I think is to upgrade Y axis to supported rails. This would be also good time to upgrade the lead screw when having the gantry all a part.
Stage 3, this should be upgrading the X axis to supported rails etc.. It might be more difficult then Y axis but this would make the ultimate upgrade.
I'll post my progress on the Y axis upgrade to supported rails.
Parts that are needed for the upgrade. I'm sure there could be many ways of getting this installed but I'll list what steps I took to get this done. (I might miss few things that I had already in hand but this is what I remember so far)
Two peaces of 1/2" x 2" 6061-T6511 Flat Bar x 32" ~$40 (ebay)
2 Supported Rails + 4 Block 20mm x 940mm Set ~$160 http://www.glacern.com/sbr (SBR20-940-SET)
HDPE or aluminum sheet 1/2 thick. 24x24 is large enough.. HDPE ~$30 (ebay)
16 screws M6 16mm to support bearing blocks + washers ~$9 (homedepo)
24 screws 1/4 1.5 inch long with nuts and washers to support rails ~$10 (homedepo)
6 screws 1/4 1.125 inch long for z axis mount and nuts
First cut out the sides and the backing before taking the gantry a part.
Measure how much you are going to cut the rail. I put the old rails side by side and mark the length. You want the bar to be longer and the support shorter by at list 3/4. As shown in the next pic.
Then, cut the 1/2 x 2" bars to the same length as the support rails and make matching holes in them.
Take out the oe sides and install the new ones.
Try fitting it on the gantry and make holes in the back of it.
This is where I got so far this morning and will post more later
David