CNC Tramming adjustment design
Budget: $30 – $250 AUD
A CNC machine moves a rotating spindle with a cutting blade in three dimensions, X, Y and Z.
So that it can do this well, the spindle has to be precisely aligned to the machine bed in two axes.
The machine I have has these adjustments (called "Tramming") but they are poorly designed. The Spindle bolts onto a vertical plate. I need a design to add an intermediate plate that can be easily adjusted at four points and once set into position locks there.
In the first picture you see the current spindle assembly from the side. On the far right is the spindle. It is attached to a 6mm aluminium plate (blue) and that plate is moved up and down by the mechanism you see to the left of it. In the second and third pictures, you can see how the spindle is attached to the plate by those four bolts either side and below the words “Bluecarve”.
What I need is a design for an intermediate plate, between the spindle and the blue plate, that attaches to the blue plate on one side and the spindle on the other. The two plates (on old one new) attach by four bolts, one on each corner. Tramming is done by adjusting these four bolts which moves that corner closer to or further from the intermediate plate. I can get a plate made, but what I need is a design it and for those adjusting bolts. They must be easily adjustable AND once locked, very secure.
To be clear, it is the adjusting process that is the important bit here. I can drill four holes in a 6 mm plate, I can't figure out how to adjust it and lock it easily. I need a way to carefully adjust the alignment to make the spindle at 90 deg to the workpiece in two axes.
Ideally, there would be four bolts on the corners where the holes are that I can carefully adjust with an allen key and once they are in position, lock into place. The tiniest bit of error translates to a bad cut.
The lock has to be very secure as there is a lot of vibration as the spindle rotates quickly and cuts into hard wood.
I need a solution that is easy to use, easy to adjust very small amounts and one that locks very securely.
I know I can do this with four bolts and locking nuts, but I want an elegant solution. Something I can sell to other users.
The final picture is a drawing of the two plates, the left hand one being the one attached to the motor, the right is the new one attached to the spindle.
The spindle is a Makita router and you can see the specs here.
https://www.makita.com.au/building-construction/category/specialty-woodworking/rt0700cx-6-35mm-1-4-router
So, the deliverables are drawings of the second plate and the bolt and locking mechanism. plus one overall drawing as an installation guide. Just what the engineer will need to make it. You don't need to do any fancy 3D rotating models.
Measure of success will be if it can be easily adjusted. securely locked, strong enough to withstand the forces placed on it.
Deadline. None. A great job is what I need, not a fast one.
Budget. Whatever you quote. Don't start discussing it and then come back and say you want more. You won't get the job.
I look forward to hearing from you.
So that it can do this well, the spindle has to be precisely aligned to the machine bed in two axes.
The machine I have has these adjustments (called "Tramming") but they are poorly designed. The Spindle bolts onto a vertical plate. I need a design to add an intermediate plate that can be easily adjusted at four points and once set into position locks there.
In the first picture you see the current spindle assembly from the side. On the far right is the spindle. It is attached to a 6mm aluminium plate (blue) and that plate is moved up and down by the mechanism you see to the left of it. In the second and third pictures, you can see how the spindle is attached to the plate by those four bolts either side and below the words “Bluecarve”.
What I need is a design for an intermediate plate, between the spindle and the blue plate, that attaches to the blue plate on one side and the spindle on the other. The two plates (on old one new) attach by four bolts, one on each corner. Tramming is done by adjusting these four bolts which moves that corner closer to or further from the intermediate plate. I can get a plate made, but what I need is a design it and for those adjusting bolts. They must be easily adjustable AND once locked, very secure.
To be clear, it is the adjusting process that is the important bit here. I can drill four holes in a 6 mm plate, I can't figure out how to adjust it and lock it easily. I need a way to carefully adjust the alignment to make the spindle at 90 deg to the workpiece in two axes.
Ideally, there would be four bolts on the corners where the holes are that I can carefully adjust with an allen key and once they are in position, lock into place. The tiniest bit of error translates to a bad cut.
The lock has to be very secure as there is a lot of vibration as the spindle rotates quickly and cuts into hard wood.
I need a solution that is easy to use, easy to adjust very small amounts and one that locks very securely.
I know I can do this with four bolts and locking nuts, but I want an elegant solution. Something I can sell to other users.
The final picture is a drawing of the two plates, the left hand one being the one attached to the motor, the right is the new one attached to the spindle.
The spindle is a Makita router and you can see the specs here.
https://www.makita.com.au/building-construction/category/specialty-woodworking/rt0700cx-6-35mm-1-4-router
So, the deliverables are drawings of the second plate and the bolt and locking mechanism. plus one overall drawing as an installation guide. Just what the engineer will need to make it. You don't need to do any fancy 3D rotating models.
Measure of success will be if it can be easily adjusted. securely locked, strong enough to withstand the forces placed on it.
Deadline. None. A great job is what I need, not a fast one.
Budget. Whatever you quote. Don't start discussing it and then come back and say you want more. You won't get the job.
I look forward to hearing from you.