MB Faceting Machine Build

[MakkyBrown]

I have been making some progress on my new machine, I'll post some photos when I finish the base and bolt on the mast. I have machined lots of holes in my very expensive piece of aluminum cast tool plate and chamfered the edges on my mill. Had a bit of a problem when I snapped a M3 tap, completely buried in 12.7mm plate. Had to dig it out from the underneath 
 I am just wondering what diameter to make the platen and should I machine groves in it.

I am thinking grooves(maybe U shaped and not too deep, so easy to wipe muck out of) and somewhere between 120-140mm diameter.

I know your platen is 75mm on the Facetron RC, does it have grooves? I think I remember it does. Can you let me know the rough groove spacing if it has grooves.  I'd be very interested in the diameter of the platen on other machines aswell. I have a Gemmaster and the platen is 160mm and flat.

CheersMB

[RoughCreations]

I know your platen is 75mm on the Facetron RC, does it have grooves? I think I remember it does. Can you let me know the rough groove spacing if it has grooves.  I'd be very interested in the diameter of the platen on other machines aswell. I have a Gemmaster and the platen is 160mm and flat.

CheersMB

Hi MB,
I'm in Zeehan at the moment, will check the dimensions when I get back. This existing Gallery photo shows my Facetron platten, along with a pile of ground quartz detritus in my splashbowl:

RC

[MakkyBrown]

Thanks RC, just been sent a pic of an Ultratech one looks pretty good I'll make similar.

[MakkyBrown]

I know your platen is 75mm on the Facetron RC, does it have grooves? I think I remember it does. Can you let me know the rough groove spacing if it has grooves.  I'd be very interested in the diameter of the platen on other machines aswell. I have a Gemmaster and the platen is 160mm and flat.

CheersMB

Hi MB,
I'm in Zeehan at the moment, will check the dimensions when I get back. This existing Gallery photo shows my Facetron platten, along with a pile of ground quartz detritus in my splashbowl:

RC

Just looking at your machine RC, you could mod the bowl. Lift it a bit with a spacer to close the gap to the platen and maybe even trim the center lip a bit lower aswell.

[MakkyBrown]

Bumping this, update coming Been having a bit of progress.

[MakkyBrown]

Pics showing current progress. Starting on electronics and figuring out the index head.More to come soon.
If you want more detailed pics of parts let me know.

[Faceting Frank]

Looks good MB. I ended up with making a Ultratech style mast as well, never did get the accuracy out of the round mast machines I made. I take it that is a linier bearing on the mast, so what does those electric wired stops do?

[MakkyBrown]

Yes linear bearing/rail on the mast and are two rails on the base(not photographed). The stops are for safely using the stepper,  + I will be able to set a home position using them. The stepper motor in being wired up to a joystick should be able to have variable movement speed move from really slow to flat out. I will also have a screen on the back of the mast showing height first up, but offers lots of possibilities to store data and go back to previous heights etc down the track.
MB

[MakkyBrown]

Note axis lockup clamp on top of  the horizontal pivot for cutting on lap edges. Adjustment for the horizontal pivot will  be on the next parts/yoke assembly.
MB