Base Plate
10.03.2004
Normally all the machine's cast parts are cast in GGG. But I prefer bronze - so the foundation and all other cast parts were made from gunmetal using the sand molding process. As you can see in the picture, the foundation just fit on my machine (Mark VII by Knuth). First, the popular game again: How do I align the cast part? I created the first reference surface on the underside. Since I could only clamp from above (on the underside) and the foundation was to be planned over the entire surface, the clamping blocks had to be moved several times. If you do this little by little, you don't lose the clamping and you get a flat surface.
The bearing row could just about be created on my milling machine in one setup. This is very important for easy assembly of the bearing shells. If the bearings are not aligned, a lot of adjustment work is required. The two studs for the bearing cover can already be seen on the middle bearing block. The holes for the outer bearing covers and for fastening the two stands and the two columns are still missing.