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The Frame
MaslowCNC Wiki: Electronics | Firmware | Mechanics | Software| Community Garden
This page explains some aspects and issues in building and maintaining the MaslowCNC Frame in a manner that ensures the highest accuracy and performance.
Alignment | Clearance | Level | Securing Stock | Spoilboard | Stiffness
The Frame design itself ensures proper alignment, but it's best to check top and bottom of each Leg with a T-Square that the Plywood sheet, and other horizontal parts are secured perpendicularly to the Frame Legs.
As with any machine, it's important that MaslowCNC has enough clearance for proper operation. This is especially important when cutting near the edges of the work surface. It's possible that some fractional portion of the Router Sled will hang off the work
The MaslowCNC relies on Gravity to help maintain its accuracy. Please ensure that your Frame is level by checking it with a builder's 'bubble' level across its entire length.
Obviously, any work stock needs to be well secured to the work surface in order to ensure accurate machine operation. Unsecured work stock also represents a serious safety problem and should never be attempted.
Clamps
- If securing your Stock Material to the Frame with a clamp, always use a locking clamp, or C-clamp, not a spring clamp, to hold the stock material to the machine.
- Make sure that your clamps cannot interact with the Router Sled or Chains in any way. The best way to do this is to ensure the short side of the clamp is facing forward and that all clamps are placed well away from where the Router Sled and
Screws and Nails
- If securing your Stock Material to the Frame using wood screws or nails, make sure that any planned cutting routes will not pass near these fasteners. Not only can you send metal flying, but you'll run a good chance to ruin your Router Bit.
- Small fully brass or aluminum could dull even carbide bits, but should generally be safe. Still other fasteners or at least running a safety test yourself is recommended. Ensure you do NOT use brass or aluminum colored or plated steel screws. They can be especially dangerous.
Sacrificial Fasteners
- Composite Fasteners are available which can be milled through by the router without causing problems.
- Wooden Fasteners are available that can be milled through witout issue.
Flex or movement of the Motor Mounts or Frame Arms will decrease accuracy across the entire work surface.
Please ensure that your Frame is rigid and stiff and unmoving. Motor Torque and Chain strength is greater than the strength of the Frame, its possible, especially when cutting high on the 4'x8' work surface that flexing can occur.
Every consideration is given to preventing this in software, but it is possible, especially if the Router Sled is beyond the recommended weight, that some amount of Frame flexing (and therefore inaccurate operation) may occur.
It is probably a good idea to periodically check the Frame in order to ensure that no screws have loosened with use.