Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Looking your build makes me want to have a CNC too.... Did you make your's yourself?

I really like it, very nice engineering, where do you work or what is your degree?

One thing, what scratches eye is that some of the rod ends are plastic but I hope you will change that in the future?

From where do you get these small screws?

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Wow! Unglaublich! (I hope the translation is correct for "unbelievable"). I absolutely enjoy gears and shafts - grew up with them before hydraulics became commonplace. You have been able to create the grader in miniature, not just a close model. Looking forward to more videos.

Ken

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

@Madda,

yes you are right: it is a self made CNC-machine.

I am working as an mechanical engineer and 30 year ago I made an education as a precision mechanic, but today its only a hobby.

I am also not happy with the rod ends in plastic, but yet I did not found such in metal which fits…

All the screws I buy in germany at:

http://www.knupfer-grossbahn.de/


@Ken, yes the translation is correct, thank you…

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Could you put some pictures of that CNC? I'm really interested in CNC's and always want to see how somebody has built their's.

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

... maybe this ???

http://www.rcrockcrawling.com/produc...roducts_id=263


Compliments,

the best build never seen !!!!!

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Amazing videos! It is an engineering masterpiece. To see this model function like the real thing is incredible. You are talented beyond human nature!

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Wow, that's some amazing work. I admire anyone that can do such work with their own workshop machinery.

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

thank you again for your warm comments,

@gipicarto,
thank you for the link. I have looked in many german internet-shops and couldn't find a proper part. Perhaps I have to buy in US.

@Madda,
here some pics from my machine. It is not a big machine, because I wanted it more robust and only for the partsize I need. The workspace is X400 Y340 Z100. The milling-machine is a KRESS and it is very loud, therefore I am thinking about a HF-milling-machine.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7258/7...78201e27_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7094/7...621228be_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7072/7...2d249cea_b.jpg

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Thanks for the pics, I wonder, how precise is that machine?

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

@Madda,
it is hard to give you an exact value for the precision, only one example: for the ball bearings I had to mill a hole with a diameter of 16mm. I used a two flute milling cutter with a diameter of 3mm and the result was a hole with dia 16mm +0,01 / -0,01 mm and it was perfect to press the ball bearing in it.

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

That is a neat looking mill! All home made too. Wow. So you have what looks like a large Dremel moto-tool for your head and spindle. I've seen similiar set-ups like this used for engraving. Never really thought about using something like this for a little heavier work. That's neat. I would have guessed you had a little larger mill for the parts you made.

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Such an impressive and simple design with the mechanical linkages. I only wish I would have a store where I could walk up and look the gears and the motors up before buying, (and can run to whenever I need a parts). Buying over the internet is a little confusing (and the waiting just kills me) because even though you can see the parts and their dimensions, it is never like looking at it and taking what you like and need.
Great job sir, keep it up. This one is worth built of the year, or at least of the month.

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Hello,

the next step is done: I fixed the 2 servos to control the blade. In the control boxes there are 3 belt drives. I think, after watching the video you will understand how it works...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8011/7...75ab6f6e_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5441/7...ee81a4dd_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8018/7...f029c044_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8148/7...832c3a64_b.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIQGDqelDJg&feature=plcp

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

That is really cool, thanks for posting the pictures and the video!

Reg

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

I really like the mechanical setup. Nice work!

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Very nice work.

That would be a blast to operate.

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Wow. That's amazing! And it runs so smooth too. Are the servos that lift the blade standard 90 degree rotation servos? I'm curious how much down pressure they can produce, to keep the blade planted in the dirt. Your video is really something to watch! The mechanism that runs the blade function is so awesome.

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Hi

Thats so smoth looks amazing, very precise work, cannot wait to see progress being made on this project.

Thanks for posting.

Regards

Mark

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Wow that video was awesome! Great work on it so far! Can't wait to see more

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Thank you for your friendly comments…

Hi Nathan,

the servo has standard-size with a torque of 88Ncm. Perhaps you can see it on the upper pics that the servo has no rigidly connection to the blade. The whole blade-equipment has a weight of 700gramms and it is "hanging on the servos". Therefore there is no down force of the blade with the servos. The idea is to save to servos when there are obstacles on the way…

…if it works on my mind, I will see later...

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Absolutely great precision work, you are a talented man. I really like your cnc build also, did you build it from a plan, if so I would love to know where I can get a copy.
Thanks
Terry

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Hi Terry,

unfortunately there is no plan I can give to you. I build the cnc by myself and I created the single parts fitting to my machines. The main parts (like Recirculating ball bearing guide and spindle) I bought in the internet. I think, in the internet you can find a lot of informations, how to build a cnc-router by yourself.

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Thank you for the reply.
Terry

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

now I added some paint:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8149/7...f69c5a5e_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8026/7...e5889e5d_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7250/7...f009000c_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8008/7...06826980_b.jpg

the next parts are engine cover and the control stand…

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

WOW that looks better then any dicast replica or even a real one! That is a top notch build for sure!

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Work of art right there. Very impressive.

J.D.

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Wow such a beautiful piece of art there and looks extremely good with paint on it now.

Tyler

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Wow, that is an awsome job!

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Absolutly superb! A true masterpiece, Can't wait to see it finished!
Congrats and thanks to share :)

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Hi

That just looks real.
Great work.
Thanks for Sharing.

Regards

Mark

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

very nice model, looks real!
likes the way to hide all motors and servos
a 5 star model!
Dan

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

First class! ;)

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Outstanding build:D:D Can't wait to see it finished!

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

I just had to page through all of you posts today at lunch and remind myself what a great project you have accomplished. Keep up the excellent work!

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

This is definately one of my favorite builds. I really like the fact that it's all mechanical and still looks very scale. You can tell that a lot of thought went into making things work without using bulky parts that would take away from the final look of it.

Thanks for posting this build!

Reg

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

FFFFFFing amazeing! Just setting up your machine is a master piece and to build a show stopper piece of construction equipment is just outstanding!

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

Hi,

just a small update: the control-stand is nearly ready and I added a little weathering (I don't like really new machines :) ):


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8034/8...0f06753184.jpg


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8182/8...2e8929eb9d.jpg


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8037/8...32e2499f08.jpg


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8312/8...134077a16e.jpg

Re: 1/14 Grader Caterpillar 12F
 

You are truley an artist. This machine is amazing. So often you see people attempt weathering, but it is easy to tell it is fake. Yours looks perfect. I would love to see some photos of this model outside working. With the proper camera perspective you would not be able to tell this is a scale model. As always, videos are always appreciated.