I'm interested in a setup that allows 2 or more routers on one gantry. In other words, Im interested in somehow the splicing the Z axis' controls/power supply to a second actuator so I can machine 2 parts at once with 2 routers moving on the same Y lead screw with the same part file. Would it be a matter of just using the "slave" axis port on Blackbox to power the z axis on the second router? Or splicing one z axis' stepper motor to the other routers z axis? I have an idea of how I'd try, just curious if a pro could advise on whether or not I'd need a bigger power supply than the PowerCase kit, or a control box other than openbuilds' blackbox to do it. I cant imagine needing more powerful stepper motors for my application, so I think it really would just take a second Z axis stepper motor... LMK! come as you are B.C.
Most of the ones you see are actually giant Z axis beams with a couple unpowered outrigger Z rails for stabilization, and the whole beam is connected to one big Z actuator in the middle. The one in your photo is the same. You'd need a separate stepper (probably NEMA 34, if you actually want to get any acceleration out of your Z axis), driver and (probably 48V) power supply just for the Z axis, and you'd have to break the step/direction pins out of your BlackBox's Brains/Arduino internally, because it'd take a lot more than 4A@24V to move multiple routers up and down under load. Just Google Image Search "multi spindle gantry router" and you'll see what I mean, they all have pretty much the same setup. Also notice how massive their gantries are- those are some seriously beefy X axes. Is your extrusion machine capable of holding all that added weight without flexing at all? If you built it up, would your Y axis motors still be able to move it? Notice how tiny the spindles look on those machines- they're purpose built to run one massive spindle or a bunch of smaller ones. Extrusion machines can only do one small one. Would you be willing to downgrade your router to multiple small 300W or 400W spindle motors? Then there's the setup- you have to adjust every spindle to be exactly the same height, because they're all ganged together- you can't touch them off one by one. Multiply that by however many toolchanges you have to do... I hope you can figure out a custom tool loading jig to get them all the same stickout, or some of your setups are gonna have weird deep gouges in them. If you used a different control, you might be able to build multiple Z axes and treat each one separately, but that's a huge amount of work and likely cost.Clearly it's probably not worth it, or the industrial units would be doing it too. It's complex. If you can figure out a workaround to all the downsides, go for it. They're cool machines, especially when they're combined with ganged 4th axes.
Hi Rob, What you're thinking is total overkill for my application. What I'm doing is making 1:4 scale models of my furniture designs (for sales presentations, finish samples, ease of travel). I'm cutting hardwood no thicker than .625" with an .125" endmill. Simple cutouts, and a small amount of 3d cutting. Like .125" per pass, and then some peck drilling (which I believe is not so stressful on the assembly). Joinery is 1/8" dowels so no tool change. I think Lil trim routers are perfect actually, and I'd opt for the 220v configuration re: powering stepper motors. z speed is not so important . I think I could just kinda loosen the collar holding the router to the assembly and retighten each router to zero, kind of big window of tolerance bc part only needs to visually look good. Im still doing my homework and havent started my build but if I could pull off a rig where I have 2 Gantry's (w rack and pinion x axis) on the 1515 bundle, with 2 power supplies/controllers I could really get more done. I have a lot of dif finish options so machine time seems very improvable.
Overall I'm just not certain this machine is going to be as useful as you believe it to be. You're building a 4' machine so you can divide it into (2) 2' machines so you always do 2 of exactly the same thing every time you start it. Sounds kind of limiting. Personally I would leave the 1515 as a 1515 and just build a second system in the 750mm range. That way you can still do two of the same at essentially the same time, or do tops on one and bottoms on the other or lefts on one and rights on the other or have them follow completely separate paths should the need arise. And your 4' machine stays a 4' machine should ever need to do something larger than 2'.
Saving on frustration, time, complexity-induced cost, it would for sure be better to run multiple small machines instead. Second vote from me The added flexibility is a win too - same productivity today, but easier to run on a day to day basis - but who knows what you need the machine for next week. 1 machine running production, second machine available to run prototype/test piece of the next big thing. The original idea is "possible" but honestly, not worth the complexity. If it was easy, it'd be done all the time (; already.
Thanks guys, I see your point and at the price point/simplicity of getting another lil guy going I cant argue. Best!
