Aluminum Casting X-Y Axis Acme Nut Trap from 3D printed models.

X axis acme nut trap. 

I am using 3/8" acme rods and nuts for my X and Y axis.  Nothing I could find would fit my custom cnc build,  so I decided to 3D print some models out of ABS and cast them out of scrap aluminum. 

Models and Machined acme nut Traps. 

 After casting the parts in a sand mold,  I machined them on a 12" drill press using an X-Y table and a CNC straight cutter.  Slight modifications to make them fit exactly how I needed them. 

Y Axis acme nut trap. 

Right now there are only a couple washers/nuts locking the nut to the trap.   Once the cnc is up and running  I will machine a couple clamps to lock them to the nut traps. 

Aluminum Casting CNC Z-axis carriage

It's been a while since my last post, but there is a really good reason.  I was building a foundry and teaching myself mold making for aluminum casting.  The real hard part was getting a 3d ABS print to create a clean mold.  A problem since it is not a smooth surface.  I found a solution and will be making another post to explain how to do it.

  The video above shows the casting process for 1 of the 6 parts that make up the Z-axis/carriage for my CNC.  It included the spindle mount I designed for the ryobi circle cutter spindle.  There are 2 smooth rod holders for 8mm rods, 2x bearing mounts for 15mm OD 8mm ID bearings.

  It turned out really well with very tight tolerances. No play at all.

Sand cast mold of the 3d printed part.

Comparison of the 3d part alongside the aluminum casting.

Aluminum Cast smooth rod mounts.

The complete Z-axis carriage assembly.

Almost to the electronics. Just have to install the Acme screws/nuts, Design mounts for the limit switches. Then I can start on the electronics assembly/setup.  It is coming along really well.