Well it begins! My LL Servos arrived today in great condition. I couldnt wait to open up the box.

I got 3 LumenLab Robotics RGR800 Servos, they are heavier than i thought! I plan on building the frame and setting up the computer and work area in the next few weekends. I hope to have my bearing kits here by Aug. 1st.

So that leaves me with alot more stuff to get... hopefully the rest of the kit will be complete soon. I can probably source some of the parts locally, i found a place that said they can get any type of ball screw i wanted.. but for a $$$ im sure..

Anyone know where you can get those bendy cable carrier things?

Heres some pics of my servos for now.. I hope to keep this Blog updated, but progress may be slow until i can find more parts.

Last one for now.. Anyone know what the bag in the bottom middle, with the screws and the round metal thing is for? theres only one..

I've been keeping an eye out for a cheap option for these, I think this looks like my favorite... (cheap 'n' easy looking)
Cable carrier made from steel shim
Even if it only works for a little while, it would probably be good enough to make some of these...
DIY fancy cable carrier
Both those posts are from this topic on CNC Zone: DIY Cable Carrier

There's also a bunch of used ones being sold on eBay (search for "igus"), but they want a frigging arm and a leg for 'em usually. Here's an eBay auction from a store that sells new ones for a... fair-ish price: HUBBARD CNC

heres one that was cut after he built my 2006 model. post No 7 for pictures.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.p...1205#post481205

joe

Just thinking off the top of my head, so this might have problems I'm not initially seeing, but my suggestion for a cable carrier would be simply loop the cable around a pulley, and have the pulley on something like one of those extending dog leashes that wind back up into the handle, but without any kind of locking device, so it's free to extend and retract. As the gantry moves it will pull the cable through the pulley against the tension of the leash, (as an example), and in the opposite direction the 'leash' would pull the cable ahead of the gantry. All you would need to do is to have all the cables bundled, loosely should do it, clamped to the gantry so as not to pull on the connections, and a fat enough pulley, (wide enough and a suitable diameter for the bundle of cables).

Yay or nay?

Good luck with your project Phife, I can't wait to see some project pictures. :-)

I believe the name of the chain you are talking about is igus chain. We use it at work but don't know where we get it from. (Sorry I'm a software guy not a mechanical)

They look like this except not with the cute kid.


Click to view attachment

I picked up a 4' for $17 on eBay but there in not any deals right now.

Look for Igus or E-chain.

Didja put yer encoders on yet? Just curious to see whether you have the "long" screws or not.

havent put on my encoders yet. been working of turning my old shed into a workshop, and taking an autocad course.

I will be buying the metal for my frame in a week or 2 and i'll start building then. I'll let ya know about the encoders when i get to it.

For the bendable cable tray you can also use a corragated wire loom. Like the automtive stuff in you car. Only the automotive stuff is usually split and also a very small diameter. I have used this type of material before on pick and places in the automation industry. I have seen this type of material used as fexible dran pipes for washing machines and dishwashers, so you might want to start there. Just my opinion.

That sounds like a great idea! a cheap solution, i may just give that a try and see what turns up..

Went out and bought my 2 1/2" square steel for the frame today. It sure pays to shop around. Went to a large metal place and they quoted me 3 Pieces at 24 feet long (with 13 feet wasted cause i only need 59ft) with cutting and taxes was $630!!!!

went to a small metal place and they didnt have it in stock but could have it here by wednesday. 3 Pieces at 20 feet long (much better only 1 foot waste) with cutting $400!!

So i went with the cheaper place.

Should have the metal cut and here by thursday! YAY! i can finaly get something started!

Same gauge, alloy, manufacturing process, etc. I assume? Those prices are so insanely different it makes little sense.

Congrats on yer progress!

well i didnt check at the cheaper place.. the quote from the first place said it was .125" HSS they only came in 24 footers.

so i saved by getting 3-20 footers.

I dunno.. is there alot of variation in quality in 2.5" square steel tube? are there grades?

There is definitely a lot of variation. The one place I called that would do small orders had three (or maybe more) wall thicknesses available. The price difference between them was significant, I also got the impression they would charge more to cut the thicker pieces too.

The place I talked to said they would cut the 20' beams in half to make them easier to transport, but anything after that would be extra. I don't know the current prices, but a few years ago I picked up a decent (Jet brand) horizontal band saw for ~$300 new, at some point it makes more sense to buy the tool and do the cutting yourself.