Micro Mill

I’ve sped up the linear speed for homing to 6 IPM for the z-axis and 12 IPM for the x and y axis. The z-axis has a maximum velocity of 15 IPM and the x and y axis has a maximum velocity of 35 IPM. The velocity for the x and y axis is on the slow side, but usable. The slow velocity is a combination of very slight misalignment on the linear rails, friction caused by loading the thrust bearings, fine lead screw, and a relatively low-torque stepper motor.

There’s plenty of things that is left to do on this mill. In no particular order, here’s what still needs to get done.

-Refine the settings for the machine

-Construct a mill table (Most likely a tapped plastic plate)

-Figure out the accuracy of the mill

-Add limit switches (the area of the mill is hard-coded, so the computer knows where the ends of the tables are, but the limit switches will prevent the machine from  destroying itself in case the mill misses steps)

-Tram the whole mill  (To Improve Accuracy)

-Construct a housing (Reduce the amount of chips and dust flying everywhere)

-Build a case for the electronics

-Install Relay Board

-Buy a t-slot table

-Add bearing covers for the X and Y axis

-Redo acme mount for Z-axis (acme nut held on with 3 screws due to a broken tap)

-Re-drill the holes for the Z motor mount (holes do not appear to go all the way through) and tap the aluminum extrusion to add more rigidity

-Redo the minimum Y and minimum X limit holder (it works fine, but the switch is held on with one screw)

This mount bolts to the z-axis pillow block arrangement

Side structural support

Top and bottom piece of router mount

Rear router bracket

Front Bracket

Router Mount Assembly

Router Mount Assembly W/Router

Got 4 pieces of materials squared away for the z-axis. There’s a total of 10 pieces that needs to get machined for the z axis to be completed.

X-axis is assembled and materials were prepared and obtained for the z-axis. Tried to tap the ends of the extrusion with no success since there was no way to hold the extrusion securely in our shop.