I am in need of building a pure 2D motion system. As I have all the parts for an MPCNC, my idea was to use this as the base. I know that most likely other options would be more lightweight and faster for a purely 2D motion, but for that I would need to buy extrusions or so, while I already have all the parts here.
I tried searching the forum but was not able to find a simple core design with just a few mounting holes, so I guess I have to design it myself. My only problem is, that I am not able to find the dimensions for the core. Specifically the spacing between the x and y gantry beams as well as the spacing and angle for the core clamps.
Does anyone have this information or know where I can find it? My rough measurements lead me to believe the distance between x and y gantry is 27.5 and the angle of the clamps is 120° with the bearings being mounted 23.5mm of the center of the gantry tube (assuming the 25mm version).
Is this correct? Or are the dimensions slightly undersized to preload?
What usable XY range, speed, acceleration, precision, core weight/load do you need to handle? XY motion for ZenXY, MPCNC, LR, MP3DP and similar projects all have various pros and cons.
The point is, I have basically everything to build the MPCNC, so I would like to go with that. For the Zen XY I’d need to get different hardware, as far as I can see it, correct? I would need different bearings, endstops, etc.
I would really like to use up material I have here, accepting the much heavier moved weights and print time.
All of that should not be a problem in the application I have, as I basically have no weight. The core weight, just due to the bearings, will be higher than my payload. I just need it to be repetatible. I know that ideally, I would have gone something more like a customiesed Core XY section from a Voron Trident, but again, that would mean buying parts.
So, while it might not be the smartest choice , I am quite set on modifying the MPCNC for my task.
It would just be great if someone could confirm the dimensions to not waste material on test prints
As far as I can tell, you would at most need the “v-wheels”, end stops, and perhaps tubes.
Approximately $20. If you haven’t printed parts for the MPCNC yet, you might save that in filament costs alone with the zen-xy and you can save the bearings for something else.
But, remixing the MPCNC core sounds like a fun project too and if you are willing to share, having a drop-in replacement for 2D work like you mention might have motivated me to keep mine going and building a separate LowRider instead of a tear-down conversion.
, I am quite set on modifying the MPCNC for my task.