How To Assemble The Frame
Note: These instructions are a work in progress. My plan is to write a complete set of instructions today, then follow the instructions tomorrow to make sure they are correct. This note will be removed once I have confirmed that the instructions work.
One of the main goals of the Maslow project is to make a CNC router which is affordable, simple to use, and which can be built by anyone who is interested in building things. To keep the cost of shipping down, Maslow has to ship in a small box and get bigger when it arrives. To keep it accessible we couldn’t count on the person assembling the machine to have special skills or access to special tools. The solution is that Maslow relies on the one tool we know you have which is Maslow itself. Maslow has to build itself. 3D printers have been self replicating for years, we took it one step further and made Maslow build itself from scratch (with some help from you).
It’s actually pretty simple (and you know how we love simple). You attach the motors to the corners of a sheet of plywood. Attach the chains to the handles of your router and you have a primitive version of Maslow, capable of cutting the parts needed to build the rest of the machine. As far as we know, Maslow is the first machine to work like this. As always, your feedback about what we can do to make the process smoother is welcome.
{photo of frame here}
Buy two sheets of 3/4inch (18mm) plywood, two red bricks, and three 10 foot 2x4s. The dimensions of these parts are not critical. We understand that the weight of bricks and dimensions of lumber can very significantly from one part of the world to another so we've done our best to create a design which works with those constraints.
{picture of 2x4s and plywood at hardware store}
To assemble your machine you will need a Philips screwdriver, a saw capable of cutting a 2x4, and a pair of pliers. A power drill is nice, but not necessary.
{picture of tools}
Set aside one sheet of plywood, one 10' 2x4, and both bricks. We will need these parts later, but for now they are in the way.
Cut the two 10' 2x4s to the correct length segments. From your two 2x4s you will need to make pieces of the following lengths.
| Number Needed | Length (cm) | Length Inches |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 26.5 | 10.4 |
| 2 | 63.5 | 25 |
| 2 | 146.5 | 57.75 |
| 2 | 41.25 | 16.25 |
| 2 | ~27.0 | ~10.5 |
None of these lengths is a critical dimension. The design does not rely on the ends of the cuts being perfectly square. The dimensions of the piece left at the end of cutting are particularly non-critical.
These pieces will form the legs of the machine like this:
We recommend cutting both ten foot 2x4s like this:
You will need the parts in these bags for Steps 6-x
(insert photo of large hardware bag)
Attach the approximately 10.5 inch (27cm) pieces left from the cutting process to the upper corners of the plywood using the provided short wood screws. If you have access to a drill, drilling pilot holes for the screws can help prevent the wood from splitting.
{picture of block in place}
Attach the motor brackets to the 2x4s in the upper corners of the sheet of plywood using the wood screws provided. The front of the bracket should be flush with the sheet of plywood.
{picture of bracket in place}
Attach the motors to the brackets using the small screws. Note that each screw comes with a compression washer.
{picture of motor mounted with screw}
Attach the sprocket using the set screw and the included Allen wrench.
(picture of sprocket attach with Bar holding sprocket, set screw, and allen wrench next to it)
First complete Steps 10-17 on the left side of your sheet of plywood, then the right.
Attach 1 Cup Hook (found in the Small Hardware Bag) to the top left corner of the sheet of plywood. The cup hook needs to be placed just to the right of being in line with the motor shaft so as not to interfere with the movement of the chain on the Motor Sprocket.
(insert photo of cup hook attached to top corner)
Place one in the corner and the other roughly 3 inches (7 centimeters) to the right of the first.
(insert photo of 2 bottom cup hooks)
Measure in approximately 27 inches (68 centimeters) from the end of the chain then attach 1 of the circular cotter pins to that point in the chain. The circular cotter pins can be found in the Medium Hardware Bag.
(insert photo of cotter pin attached to the chain laying on the ground)
Hook the circular cotter pin on the top cup hook with the longer segment of chain hanging to the left side of the cup hook. Let the left side of the chain hang down approximately 2 feet and then loop it back up to wrap over the Motor Sprocket.
(insert close up of of chain hanging on cup hook with cotter pin. Insert second photo from far back of chain hanging on entire section)
Place the Chain Sprocket into the left hanging side of the chain, then place the S-hook through the hole in the sprocket. Finally, place the pulley on the lower segment of the S-Hook. All of these items can be found in the Small Hardware Bag.
(insert photo of three pieces appropriately attached the chain)
Measure approximately 21 inches (53 centimeters) from one end of your Stretchy String. Fold the Stretchy String over at this point and tie a basic knot, leaving a loop (photo shown below)
(insert photo of knot)
(insert photo of cable pulley on inner bottom cup hook)
Hook the tied loop of the Stretchy String to the Cup Hook at the top of the plywood. Pull the longer end down toward the inner bottom Cup Hook. Wrap the Stretchy String around the Pulley on the inner bottom Cup Hook. Loop the Stretchy String back up to the Pulley on the S-Hook. Loop the Stretchy String over the Pulley on the S-Hook, then pull the Stretchy String to the outer bottom Cup Hook and tie it to this Cup Hook with only a couple inches remaining untaught.
(insert 4 photos)