This forum is still new and may look a bit empty at the moment.
Please don’t hesitate to ask your questions. If you are building a Raw Creative 2.5, planning your build or wondering about parts, setup or assembly, feel free to start a topic.
I will do my best to answer questions and help as much as I can. As more builders join, the forum will grow into a useful place for tips, build discussions and shared experience.
I know many people are interested in this version, especially for larger machines and longer travel distances, so I want to be transparent about the current status.
The plan is to publish the illustrations and drawings first, so members can start understanding the layout, components and mechanical setup. The full build video will come later.
This takes time because these are not simple machines. Even though the concept may look straightforward from the outside, there are many details that need to be correct: alignment, motor placement, gear reduction, rack positioning, tensioning, calibration and general assembly order.
Many of the parts used in the belt version will also be reused for the rack version. The frame, linear rails, motors, electronics and many general components are the same or very similar.
The parts that change are mainly related to the drive system. The rack version uses rack and pinion components instead of belts and idlers, and some of the steel plates are different between the versions.
To make this easier, we also have steel plates available on our website. Some of these plates are designed to be more universal between the different versions, which makes it easier to build or upgrade without starting completely from zero.
So in short: the rack version is coming, but it is not fully documented yet. I will release the illustrations first, and then the video will follow when it is ready.
I look forward to following along. I currently have a Shapoko 5 pro 2'x4' version and am looking to get a larger machine, and plan on going with the rack version.
I have going through the frame and cable calculator and had a question. I want to max my X -axis, and keep with nice round lengths for rack parts. so putting the max 1500 in tells me I need X-rack of 1490 mm. rack lengths come in increments of 100 mm, do you cut those? or can I just round everything up 10 mm? or can you modify the calculator to allow me to put 1510 in?
thanks,
Dan
Hi Dan,
Great to hear that you are planning to build the rack version.
Yes, it is normally very easy to cut the rack to the correct length. The rack can be cut with a metal saw, angle grinder, bandsaw or similar, and then the end can be cleaned up with a file or grinder. It does not need to be complicated.
In your example, if the calculator says 1490 mm rack, I would simply use a 1500 mm rack and cut it down if needed.
You can also use a slightly shorter rack, for example 1400 mm, because the X-axis will never use the full outer length of the frame anyway. The gantry and carriage have their own offset, so the machine does not physically reach all the way out to the very end of the X frame.
So you do not need to change the calculator to 1510 mm. I would keep the calculator values as the real design reference, and then adapt the rack length practically when you build.
So in short:
Use 1500 mm rack and cut it if needed, or use 1400 mm if you want to keep it simple and the available travel still fits your needs.
I'm looking forward to this build as well. I'm looking to be able to process 1220 x 2480 sheet materials. Here in the US, 4 ft by 8 ft sheet panels are the common size.
I'm very impressed with RawCNC's attention to all the detail of craftsmanship as well as all the various ideas and methods to achieve the end result. Grattis och lycka till.
Same boat as Davin Tormanen. Unless it complicates the design or come with other drawbacks I'll be aiming for a rack version in "full sheet size".
Thank you for running this project!
Tack! Yes the rack version is a tested machine and it has very good cutting results and perfect for larger machines.
Same boat as Davin Tormanen. Unless it complicates the design or come with other drawbacks I'll be aiming for a rack version in "full sheet size".
Thank you for running this project!
If you think the belt version looks manageable, than the rack version is as easy, i can take the belt version as it is now and convert it to racks in an hour, it is that easy.