Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Homebrew PCBs

Precise ways are critical to accurate CNC construction. Crankorgan
has employed a number of innovative techniques to develop simple ways.
I've come up with a brainstorm that others are invited to consider:

A friend of mine manages a motor rewind shop. Armature bearing
alignment is critical to proper motor operation and life. To simplify
alignment some manufacturers now case the bearings in epoxy. The
armature is set into proper alignment with the motor case and bearings
are mounted over armature ends. The space between the bearings and
case is filled with epoxy which ensures proper alignment.

In one respect, this is an update of the old babbit bearing process.

Imagine using the same process to build linear bearings on circular,
drill rod ways. Two rods are carefully set up to be reasonably
parallel. Then two way supports are set next to each other at some
point on the rod length. The way supports would have holes drilled
oversize. The space between ways and rods are filled with epoxy. The
two ways are then pulled to each end of the rods to create a precise
parallel structure. Once the ways are parallel, the carriage can be
created with a similar process.

I haven't tried it. But it sounds promising.