decited to install a simple toggle switch for the dremel... the auto shut off, micro switch mod is kinda outta my skill level, as i hardly know nothing about the electric stuff. this toggle switch will be fine for me thou..... ok, mark, i think im done bud...lols. got my little sticker on. that was like the icing on da cake, lols. this acme screw runs so much smoother, i would recomend anyone that is going to build the phlatprinter, just do it from the start. also get better steppers at least 185oz. will save ya from looking back.....randy.
toggle switch installed...

my little decal...man im done for now.....time to do some cuttin..

 

flash, dennis, thanks fellas.....7 weeks ago i would have to buy a foamie kit, now i can make one...now i am looking foreward to cutting some models...i think the phlatprinter will be fun as i will be entering my retirement in about ten years...im gonna be a foamie guy from here on out....heck maybe a lil balsa...yea dennis, smurfs, hurry up design and build a phlatprinter vacuum stand, lols. randy.

 

Awesome work Randy!
I like that 60ipm!

 

thanks, 3-d.....it messes up at 75ipm, runs good at 65ipm, and 60ipm seems to be the sweet spot. i ran marks snowflake program about 10 times in a row, and its real smooth and does not skip at all. i have yet to really test cutting and figure out the cutting feeds in the foam. randy.

 

WOW!!!
Super nice looking. looks like I will have to add that one to the header as well.
60 man we have to see a video of that in action.
Mark

 

i seen in a nother post dorsal raised up the top of the printer. after the way i seen the way the foam teter-toter on the roller, i seen why he did it. great mod dorsal!! i used a piece of acrylic that is .080 thick. its real nice, and the foam layes way, way, better. got to figure out a way to mount it now....hmmm, anyone have a good idea speak up. i was gonna drill some holes, but im afraid it will crack out.......plus it had to be removable in case i gotta take off top....mark, i have a video on page 3 of the 60ipm feed. randy.
.080 thick acrylic to take up some gap....thanks dorsal....nice mod...

 

ok, took a chance and drilled and champhered some screw holes.....the top is attached...now i am all set to cut...i want to do a F-22 for my first model, and if any one knows of some 3-d plans, please let me know. randy.

 

Hey Randy,
When I put plexiglass on top of mine the foam screached along it and caused some problems. If you find this happening too, you may want to paint the top to create less friction. I did this and it works great!

Shaun

 

cool, thanks 3-d. i will keep that in mind if i have troubles. randy.

 

thanks for the post shaun....the acrylic is working very nicely for me. if i lay a straight edge from the top of the roller to the front of the phlatprinter, ther is really no contact, just a very small air gap.....actually i really dont think it rubs very much at all. anyhow, my printer is running great, very smooth...as of now im just struggling with the drawing, and software end of it....i am slowly learning, step by step, i will get ther. randy.

 

after cutting my F-22, i was not happy with the z-axis performance.....seem as all the time was waitin on it. decited to get some new steppers, and the acme thread screw mod. i had enough from the extra i had for the y-axis. my phaltty is tore down as of now....waitin on the new parts from dumpster cnc. i will post install photos when its completed, with new rapids. also got a new x-axis stepper wile i have it tore down. the lil pully was a little stuborn to remove, next time i will be easier on the locktite. my stock z-axis rapid would only run at 13ipm before actin up.....hopefully with the acme screw, dumpster nut, it will fly....we shall see....randy.

 

mastertech, that is one of the reasons i wanted to redo......i never got the y-axis motor aligned to the screw. perfectly.... the way i made my rod adjusters, the end of the box has to come off, control board and all to adjust it.....i am going to do your motor port mod, so i can adjust the motor after i get the rails lined up. i will make a thin ply cover for the hole... i will leave the motor kinda loose, then run it up close to the end of travel, then center motor and tighten. this should get more rapid than i had before. i was up to 73ipm before it messed up...i got a 175oz. stepper with the same 1/4-16 acme thread, to take care of that slow z-axis... my goal is to run the dremel at top rpm, then getting the feeds tweaked for it for the fastest cut i can get..... my sister wants that snow flake mark made, lols. randy.

 

i keep talking about the ball nose cutters....never posted a photo of my modded roto zip cutter...its the stock tool i had the fella at work grind a ball end on.....the tool plunges so good, ya cant even see the foam push up, or hear any rpm change on the dremel.....for now this is the tool i will be using......it is the whip.....mark, this is what ill bring to the show for ya. peace, randy.

 

Whoa! that thing looks mean! Nice one how did you make it?
Mark

 

fella at work that runs a cnc cutter grinder did it for me. im gonna go to lowes and get a couple six packs and let him do em all. randy.

 

Right on! thats going to be sweet!

 

fellas, dumpster cnc proved themselfs agian....got my acme nut and coupler today....man this guy is awesome, knows what customer service is.....well the dr. was in the house, lols. did surgury on the z-axis....im glad i used socket head wood screws on the origanal build......started by drilling two small access holes that my allen wrench would go thru....took a screwdriver and hammer and knocked out the metal blind nut. i just used ca when i installed it, it poped rite out.....then drilled my 1/2in dia. nut clearence hole. this time i ordered the acme nut with a 3 hole spacing. dumpster cnc only charges a dollar and a half to mod how ya want it.....drilled the pilot holes for my screws, and installed the new acme nut. i had to make up a drill extension to get the reach i needed. hopefully my steppers arrive tonite, the ups truck comes in the evening here.....at least i got the nut in and ready to go for the stepper when i get....even as the surgury went smooth, i would recomend doing the mod when building the kit. would be much easier....peace, randy.
access holes to remove the blind nut...

holes drilled...

the dumpster cnc acme nut...

dumpster cnc acme coupler...

sheet metal screws i used, got from the lhs...

acme nut installed...

"surgical tools"

sucessfull install....

after i install new steppers, i will report back with new results...

 

lol nice work Randy!
love that post
Mark