Howdy Everyone!
That's right! No more nights laying awake thinking about a Shopbot! No more tireless pacing, debating myself on the merits of a cnc that didn't cost more than my house!
We purchased Rick Adams' PRT60x120. It has one Z-axis, limit switches, z-zero plate, 15hp FPZ vac, 5hp Columbo spindle and an assortment of bits.
We've got the 3ph power supply ready and will set the machine in place this weekend. So, in preparation, I have a few questions. (In preface, I have read the archieves.)
My brother/partner has over 12 years experience as an Industrial Maintenance Engineer. From his experience, a few questions have come up.
1. Is there anyone that has located their PRT, then leveled with metal machine levelers and bolted the legs to the floor? He says it will significantly reduce vibration, reduce the potential for frame movement and reduce the chances that the machine will move over time. All of which contribute to inaccuracy.
2. We're going to add legs in the middle to reduce/eliminate sag. I read in the archives that someone had done this. Any advice?
3. I also read in the archives that the above person used gusseting on each let to further reduce racking. If you have done this, how did you attach from the leg to the frame?
4. Vac Pump noise reduction. I had the thought of locating the vac pump under the table and then building a sound enclosure around it. My thoughts were to take aluminum panels, bond noise reducing foam to the inside and bolting these panels to the outside of the machine, extending from the bottom of the table to the floor. We'd allow for motor cooling air circulation. Has anyone tried this? If so, how did it work for you?
Sorry for the long post. I've been building up for a while! Sorry I couldn't make it to the jamboree but I'm behind in work and couldn't get away.
Thanks,
Chris Robinson