I started building this machine before I realized it would be easier to draw it first to get things right. This is a ca 700mm x 700mm x 700mm design – It is a machine that is designed to be mounted bolted to a floor. What you see below is just the raw design – it still lack a few details + it lack the outer cabinet.
I currently count 26 x 2020 frames – 550, 600 and 650mm length. I did not want to cut a single 2020 frame. The number of 8mm feeders illustrated is 56, but I can mount on all 4 sides increasing number of feeders to above 100 + I can extend the machine to 1200mm in feeder direction. I have options, but the reality is that I will be using strip/tray feeders a lot – so the large work-space in the middle is 600 x 345mm and this can be extended if I use less feeders.
I use 3 different Nema motors – Nema17, Nema11 and Nema8. Nema8 is 20mm wide and is key to get the needle that narrow. Nema11 is used to move the needle up/down on he Z axis. Nema17 is used to move X and Y axis. The main challenge I had was mounting of X and Y axis – it was difficult to find parts. I am not happy with the Nema17 motors sticking out, so I am looking for a different solution to that – it might be that I need to include plastic design to strengten metal design – lets see. I have all the parts, so I just need time to build this and I am sure I will get a few surprices as I assemble the machine.
I have shown the new Feeder back in may, what I lack is the electronics – I have the main control system, but lack the electronics for the feeders. I will be back on that later.