low cost xy table 1

[ernieciccone]

i am need to build a low cost xy table for liss than $300
i need a 10x10 travel with the capability of adding motorized stages to it latter and encoders with one mm accuracy

 

[unclesyd]

Depending on your requirements for a table a $300.00 one is going to be hard to achieve. This is especially true if you need a heavy duty design.

A simple design is to use linear guides or ball bushings and flat and parallel plate of either Al, Steel, or Cast Iron.
You can buy Al tooling plate. There are sources for CI tooling plate. If you use steel and maybe able to find some finish plate.
If you could see your way to front some ball screws to manually position your table you would be ahead of the game when it come to adding the positioners. Also a free running table requires some clamps and/or mass to stop any vibration.

The was a site that had a picture Thomson Mill Drill free running X-Y table that would have been an excellent guide but has the site has died.

Also I’ve seen a pretty sound table made from skate wheels, Al/steel channel and Bakelite Plate.

Checkout the surplus sites for components once you get a tentative design.


Aluminum Tooling Plate

http://www.tciprecision.com/

Ball Screws

http://www.roton.com/web/index.jsp

Linear components

http://www.nookindustries.com/

http://www.thomsonindustries.com/Se...&L3=&L4=&L5=&L6=&L=False&lang=1&IT=literature

 

[IRstuff]

I don't even see a commercial X-Y plotter for less than $400:

http://www.jdstest.com/catpages/xyrecord.htm

You might possibly modify an ink jet printer, which has almost all the requisite functions.

Why $300? That seems to be a highly artificial requirement.



TTFN

 

[automatic2]

couple of old IBM printer carriages stacked on top of each other. Real cheap, good control but not much power.

 

[strokersix]

You might contact:

Cardinal Engineering
Cameron IL
309-342-7474

They have experience with CNC control and custom machinery and may be able to help you. They have also published instructions for building your own stepper controls in Home Shop Machinist magazine.

I am not affiliated with Cardinal but am famiilar with what they do.