A few more improvements
I decided to try something different with the Y axis motor cover.
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| One of the two temporary supports |
After the angles were immobilized, I spliced in a thin strip of aluminum, welded it on both sides…
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| This was actually a later weld, but it's in the same spot. |
… then used the grinder to make it smooth.
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| Going for a different look with this one |
After welding the two skirts on, I tried it on for fit…
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| Left skirt |
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| Other side, of course. |
… added 4 bolts, and done!
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| Fully protected motors |
The next order of the day was to regain some Y travel lost after the DRO (Digital Read Out) installation. This involved grinding off some of the column support. Normally, I wouldn’t even consider doing such a thing, but given the extra support from the aluminum U channel I had added in the back, I felt confident any loss of strength would be negligible.
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| Some of the column support was ground off |
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| Now the table hits the end of its travel before the DRO sender (blue box) crashes into the column |
This mod enabled me to reclaim 0.5” (1.3 cm) of travel, which given the shortness of the Y axis is, makes for a whopping 13% improvement.
To get another 2" (5 cm) of travel in the X minus direction, I shortened the height of the mill’s table left end plate, which acted as a travel stop. This mod allowed the table to travel unimpeded past the old limit point. Actually, I will have to be careful in the future, since I could run the table right off its support.
I also milled a slot in the end plate, so that flood coolant and metal chips will be able to drain and collect through a basin.
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| Cutting the slot |
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| Reduced height plate with slot |
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| Slot will aid in coolant and chip evacuation. Table well past its original travel limit. |
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