Skunkworks CNC mill project

[MattH]

As a little side project I am putting together a solid little cnc VMC. I haven't really got any real use in mind apart from cutting some parts for my next CNC router build.
I have a whole lot more castings due to arrive soon including a second 18x12x9 engineers cube which will go on top of the current one to create the column.
I have more of the 55mm rails and a second ball screw for the Y. I have a huge 9' long 55mm ball screw for the Z which will be cut and turned down in the lathe.
Only thing I don't have at the moment is a plate suitable for the saddle, looking for something like 1" thick by 15" x 30".
Spindle will be the head off of an X3 mini mill converted to a power draw bar and 2.2kw servo drive.
Got to rebuild the frame under the plate, I have a bunch of 80mm SHS 5mm for this which I will weld with the Rtech in MMA mode.

 

[MattH]

Obviously this was my welding bench which will be replaced by this:



28" rotary riser (must weight 400kgs).

 

[MattH]

Bought my other cast iron bits home today so mocked the column up a bit more.
Thankfully using the vertical t slots on the middle cube means I can capture the bottom and top horizontal t slots on the bottom cube. The angle plate is there to extend the column a little.



Got some heavy walled box section to make a new base for the machine:

 

[Spark plug]

Looking interesting Matt, is the y axis going on the front of the box cubes?

 

[MattH]

Looking interesting Matt, is the y axis going on the front of the box cubes?

Z axis is going to be up and down the cubes. Y axis is what's in place and X axis will be side to side. The whole thing will be turned 90 degrees and will be laid out the same as a conventional mill.

 

[Spark plug]

Right I'm with you, so the x is sitting on top of the y like a Bridgeport. What you during for a spindle?

 

[MattH]

It's not ideal but I've got a spindle from an X3 mill that I retrofitted a pneumatic drawbar on and a 2.2kw AC servo as the drive motor. I have a whole selection of TTS tool holders for it as well.
Looking at the build I'd like something more substantial so I'm keeping my eyes on EBay.