Description

1500mm x 3000mm Recommended Machine Configuration

Estimated Freight for 3-metre Machines

A CNC Machine with a 3000mm Axis is not covered under our flat rate shipping. The freight will be calculated once the order is packed and we will send you an invoice for the difference in shipping the oversized freight. Below is an estimate of Metro, Regional and Remote addresses around Australia. Please note, this is an estimate ONLY. Oversized freight cost to your address may differ.

For an oversized freight estimate to your address please contact us: Sales@MakerStore.com.au

What is a Mechanical Kit?

The mechanical kit is the foundation of your CNC Machine. A mechanical kit includes all the mechanical components needed to build your CNC Machine; All the screws, nuts, wheels, plates, washers, etc.

A Mechanical Kit is a perfect choice if you plan on bringing your own CNC Controller, or Other Electronics.

CNC Add-Ons are required to complete a CNC Machine. These include the Electronic system that will control the machine, Cable Management, and the Spindle or Router that will be mounted to the machine.

About the Maker Store MakerBee V3

The MakerBee CNC Machine was originally designed by Ryan Lock of Ooznest UK. It is a strong, accurate and easy to assemble CNC machine. This Maker Store MakerBee V3 is the Maker Hardware kit based on the popular MakerBee CNC Machine design. The Maker Store MakerBee V3 CNC is an upgrade to our Maker Store MakerBee  V2.2. This new Version 3 model is heavily modified to achieve better results. It is important to note that the new upgrade is VERY different to the Ooznest or other manufacturer’s models. The Maker Hardware Maker Store MakerBee V3 has two interchangeable transmission systems allowing for a high level of customisation as well as axis compatible with up to 3m in length, allowing for full timber sheets to be worked on!

The Maker Store MakerBee V3 is incredibly simple to assemble and is suitable for milling wood, foam, plastic, soft metals and more. The Maker Store MakerBee V3 CNC Machine is a 4 axis (3 + 1) machine, this means there are 3 physical axes (X, Y, Z) and a slave axis of Y which is called the A-Axis.

This is a perfect router for the hobby woodworker who wants to get into CNC woodworking. The Maker Store MakerBee V3 is easily customised and adaptable, all parts of the machine are generic and modular encouraging additions and alterations after the initial mechanical build. Every Maker Store MakerBee V3 is packed with off the shelf parts, every part is available individually from Maker Store.

The Maker Store MakerBee V3 is our most customisable CNC machine and can be supplied in almost any size imaginable. If the application requires a cutting area of larger than 1.5m the Maker Store MakerBee V3 is our solution.

About the Tool Mounted to the Machine

The Maker Store MakerBee V3 Z-Axis is designed to carry up to 5kg. This is perfectly suited for Lasers, Plasma Torches and most Routers and Trimmers (Makita, Dewalt, Bosch etc..).

As well as the tools mentioned above, the Maker Store MakerBee V3 is designed to mount most of the Spindles we offer;
All 400W Spindles, 800W Spindles and 1.5kW Er11 Air-Cooled Spindles which generally weigh between 1-4kg are perfectly suited on the machine. The 1.5kW Er16 Air Cool Spindle is also suitable however we recommend upgrading the X-Axis Standard C-Beam to C-Beam HEAVY if installing this Spindle.

The 1.5kW Water Cooled Spindle is right on the edge of the limit of the Z-Axis once the Spindle is filled with water/coolant. This Spindle can still be installed on the machine however we STRONGLY recommend upgrading the X-Axis C-Beam to C-Beam HEAVY if doing so.

2.2kW (and above) Spindles are generally not recommended on the Maker Store MakerBee V3.

The Maker Store MakerBee V3 has two different transmission systems available

2: Rack and Pinion Transmission System

The MOD1.0 Internal Gear Rack was designed right here in house at Maker Store. Our Gear Racks are designed specifically to allow for continuous lengths by butt-joining multiple racks in succession. With this feature, there is almost no limit to how long your axis can be!

The Internal Gear Rack is designed to slide inside the channel of our V-Slot Linear Rail and works with all our different V-Slot profiles. Along the X and Y-Axis, the Maker Store MakerBee V3 can benefit from the stronger C-Beam Extrusion, which also helps to keep the gear hidden away from dust. The Stepper Motor is attached to a specially designed plate that is installed spring-loaded and mounted to keep the right amount of tension between the Gear and the Rack.

Module 1.0 Gear Resolution table:

Note: The 1.0 Gear Resolution Table is based on a bipolar Stepper motor (200 steps/rev).

Expanding The Working Area To Do Full Sheets

A key feature of our new Maker Hardware Maker Store MakerBee V3 is the newly designed system which allows the machine to be built large enough to work on full sheets of timber. Both the Y-Axis and the X-Axis can be installed up to 3000mm in length. We generally recommend installing the 3000mm axis on your Y-Axis and installing your X-Axis as 1500mm which will allow you to work on full sheets. The reason for this is the Y-Axis spoiler board supports change for a machine larger than 1500mm. For a 3000mm Y-Axis, the spoiler board supports are transversal meaning they are secured to each Y-Axis C-Beam along the length of the Y-Axis which makes for a very strong and secure Y-Axis while also making several supporting beams for the workpiece to be placed on.

On a larger Y-Axis, the Internal Gantry Plate and the second row of wheels are removed to allow spoiler board supports to be secured between each Y-Axis C-Beam so that the axis is supported along its entire length rather than suspended from each side as in the smaller machine design.

Our 3000mm axis was first implemented in our Ox-GEAR CNC Router Machine over a year ago with great success. The Maker Store MakerBee V3 has built on this tried-and-tested reliable design while also strengthening the X and Z-Axis so that Spindles can be mounted to the machine in place of standard routers as in our Ox-GEAR. The new Maker Store MakerBee V3 has become our recommended “Full Sheet Working” machine while staying a fraction of the cost of other machines on the market that can achieve full sheet working areas.

Key New Features While there are so many different features, below are some of the Key Features that are new on the Maker Store MakerBee V3.
Y-Axis Plates for Interchangeable Transmission System
			The new Maker Store MakerBee V3 Y-Axis Plate design allows interchangeability between two distinct transmission systems. You can easily build your machine to be Rack & Pinion or Lead Screw & Nut Block Transmission System. The Lead Screw & Nut Block transmission is compatible with the Y-Axis length of 1000mm and 1500mm. Lead Screws are best used on a 1000mm Axis. A Lead Screw & Nut Block transmission offers a strong and accurate transmission while having very little ongoing maintenance required. The Gear Rack and Pinion transmission is compatible with any Y-Axis length, it can even be installed on a 3-meter Y-Axis! We generally recommend Gear Rack and Pinion transmission for 1500mm and 3000mm Y-Axis. Gear Rack and Pinion transmission allows for higher speeds to be achieved with no loss inaccuracy. With both systems being able to be installed onto the Y-Axis Plates, upgrading the length and transmission of your Y-Axis, later on, is very easily achieved due to the modular nature of our hardware.
X-Axis Plates for Interchangeable Transmission System
Similar to the Y-Axis Plates, the new Maker Store MakerBee V3 X-Axis Plate design allows interchangeability between two distinct transmission systems. You can easily build your machine to be Rack & Pinion or Lead Screw & Nut Block Transmission System. Lead Screw & Nut Block are best used on a 1000mm Axis. A Lead Screw & Nut Block transmission offers a strong and accurate transmission while having very little ongoing maintenance required. Gear Rack and Pinion transmission is generally recommended for 1500mm Axis. If installing a 3-meter X-Axis it is best to pair the Gear Rack system with our C-Beam HEAVY over such a long suspended length.
X-Axis and Y-Axis Length Up To 3 Meters
			Both the Y-Axis and the X-Axis can be installed up to 3000mm in length. This is such a huge leap forward in this class of CNC Routers as it now allows full timber sheets to be worked on with no more tiling!  The best “Full Sheet” machine configuration in our opinion is a 3000mm Y-Axis with Standard C-Beam and a 1500mm X-Axis with C-Beam HEAVY. We recommend choosing the Y-Axis to be the 3000mm axis because the spoilerboard extrusions are installed in a transversal manner so that they secure the Y-Axis along the length which makes for a very strong and secure Y-Axis. With this design standard C-Beam is perfect for the application, C-Beam HEAVY is not necessarily required on the 3000mm Y-Axis (but it sure is tough when installed!) When installing a 3000mm X-Axis we strongly recommend upgrading the X-Axis C-Beam to C-Beam HEAVY. The reason for this is the X-Axis sits suspended from each end between each Y-Gantry Plate where it is secured. Over a 3000mm length the standard C-Beam may ‘flex’ or ‘twist’ if a heavier tool such as a 1.5kW Er16 Air Cooled Spindle or a Water Cooled Spindle is mounted. If installing a 3000mm X-Axis we recommend a smaller tool such as a Laser, Plasma Torch, Router/Trimmer or Light Spindle (such as the 400W, 800W or 1.5kW ER11 Air Cooled) is installed.
C-Beam End Plates
The End Plates that are mounted to the ends of the C-Beam Extrusion on the Y-Axis has been changed from original Plates to our new Standardised C-Beam End Mount Plates designed to mount to C-Beam and C-Beam HEAVY profiles. This small but simple change makes the Maker Store MakerBee V3 more modular in design by using more off-the-shelf parts in lieu of unique parts. This helps keep the Maker Store MakerBee V3 End Plates in line with other C-Beam based CNC Machines such as the Lead CNC, C-Beam Machine, C-Beam XL and MiniMill.
Strong M8 Hardware On Weight Bearing Wheels
		The top rows of wheels on both the Y-Axis and the X-Axis have been upgraded to use M8 Screws and larger bearings inside the wheels. The weight load and downward forces of the machine are placed on the top rows of wheels, with the bottom rows of wheels in place to adjust tension. For this reason, the top rows of wheels have been upgraded to a larger stronger screw series. By upgrading the top rows of wheels from M5 hardware to M8 hardware a stronger axle is created. This is a great and effective improvement to increase the rigidity of the assembly while also reducing ‘flex’ in the assembly.
Z-Axis with MGN 15 Rails and Bearings
		MGN Rails are a low profile version of the well known HGR rails. The New Z-Axis uses High-Quality MGN Series Linear Rails and MGN15C Bearings. This combination of rail and bearings offers high rigidity and precision accuracy in linear motion. Used in 3d Printing, CNC Machining, Robotics, Measuring Equipment and linear motion actuators. The Maker Store MakerBee V3 takes advantage of the low profile MGN rails that are responsible for keeping the centre of gravity as close as possible to the X-Axis gantry. This simple “trick” mitigates the X-Axis from twisting and causes less stress on the Y-Axis wheels.
Cap Head Screws – Also known as Socket Head Screws
The Maker Store MakerBee V3 has upgraded any screw that does not need to have the Low Profile Head to the Stronger Cap Head Screw. This simple upgrade makes the assembly of the machine much easier as it minimises the risk of stripping the head of the screw.
Jaw Couplings
			Jaw Couplings have been used to connect all Stepper Motors to Lead Screws. Jaw Couplings are stronger and longer-lasting by design when compared to their Flexible Coupling cousins. Jaw Couplings are more precise in acceleration and deceleration. Jaw Couplings have less backlash than Flexible Couplings.
Lead Screw Tensioning Nut
The Maker Store MakerBee V3 has upgraded the outer locking collars that hold tension on the lead screw to the new Lead Screw Tensioning Nuts. This specially designed nut when installing a Lead Screw in tension helps reduce Lead Screw ‘whip’ which occurs in Lead Screws with lengths greater than 1000mm. By installing the nut onto a Lead Screw it helps ensure your machine runs smoothly at higher feed rates.

CREDITS:

The New Maker Store MakerBee V3 is substantially different to all other MakerBee models as well as the predecessors before it. The machine was inspired by the Lead CNC, the Ox-GEAR, and the earlier MakerBee models. Without these previous machines that came before the Maker Store MakerBee V3, the machine would not be possible.

• Maker Store MakerBee V3 Plates were designed by Maker Store Australia. This design allowed for a gear rack and pinion transmission system on the X-Axis and Y-Axis.
• The Internal MOD 1.0 Gear Rack was designed by Maker Store Australia
• Ox-GEAR CNC and Ox V4 CNC was designed by Maker Store Australia
• C-Beam HEAVY was designed by Maker Store Australia
• Ox V1 (belt) was designed by OpenBuilds USA
• C-Beam was designed by OpenBuilds USA
• MakerBee V1 was originally designed by Ooznest UK

Please note the Maker Store MakerBee V3  is heavily customised and upgraded to the original design by Ooznest. Maker Store MakerBee V3 is different to all other company’s WorkBee Variants”.