2x4 CNC Machine
From Makers Local 256
Creator: |
The screw drive proved more trouble than it was worth, and I have retired this project in favor of the 4x8 CNC Machine.
Contents
Overview
A medium sized CNC Machine capable of cutting patterns
The Plan
- This project's focus is on implementing basic (though scalable) CNC functionality.
Progress
- Successfully cutting shapes out of 1/4" mdf/wood using the router-based spindle.
- Planning to experiment on copperclad (pcb) with a Dremel based spindle.
Parts List
Part | Number | Price |
---|---|---|
2'x 4'x 3/4" MDF | 4 | $45 |
608ZZ Bearings (BRA) | 24 | $18 |
R8zz Bearings | 6 | $13 |
Aluminium Angle Bracket (1" x 1/8" x 36") | 1 | ? |
NEMA 23 Steppers | 3 | |
240W DC Power Supply | 1 | |
CNC Controller Kit (china & china) | 1 | $160 |
1/2" x 10' Threaded Rod (drive screws) | 1 | $30 |
1/4" to 1/2" Drive Coupling | 3 | $40 |
Limit Switches | 6 | $10 |
Sub Total | ~$316 |
- note: I'll admit goodluckbuy is a skeezy name for a website, but they ship faster than other places like focalprice. I've been happy with them and aliexpress and deeply dissatisfied with focalprice.
Next Steps
- Lewters sells Barrel Nuts, so if the ones I ordered don't arrive soon - get some from there. (consolation: I didn't order enough anyway) (DONE - 26OCT10)
- Put the Table together.
- X-axis (DONE 28OCT10)
- 2'x 4' MDF sections bolted together (DONE 27OCT10)
- Rails attached (DONE 28OCT10)
- Ends attached (DONE 28OCT10)
- Y-axis (DONE 30OCT10)
- Drill Holes in Gantry Sides (DONE 28OCT10)
- Attach Rails (DONE 29OCT10)
- Attach B.R.A.s (DONE 29OCT10)
- Assemble Gantry (DONE 29OCT10)
- Z-axis (DONE 30OCT10)
- Drill Holes (DONE 29OCT10)
- Attach Rails (DONE 30OCT10) (literally held on by friction according to the book)
- Attach B.R.A.s (DONE 30OCT10)
- Assemble Router Base (DONE 30OCT10)
- X-axis (DONE 28OCT10)
- Get miscellaneous parts (Drive Couplings) (DONE 27OCT10)
- Wait for miscellaneous parts to arrive (Drive Couplings) (DONE 30OCT10)
- Wait for the Control Equipment to arrive from China. (ARRIVED- 27OCT10)
- Attach Electronics
- Drill Motor Mounts (DONE 31OCT10)
- Cut Drive Screws (DONE 31OCT10)
- Drill holes for screws in gantry pieces (DONE 2NOV10)
- Mount Drive Screws for each axis (Y&Z DONE 2NOV10)
- Attach motors (DONE sometime in early NOV)
- Hook motors to driver board (DONE sometime in early NOV)
- Receive USB-to-Parallel Cable (DONE sometime in early NOV)
- Configure software (Begin sometime in early NOV)
- Debug
- X and Z axes are sticking.
- Ordered Delrin(plastic) Nuts (DONE 4DEC10)
- Received (DONE 8DEC10)
- didn't fit current drive screws - ordering new ones (DONE 10DEC10)
- replaced the screws that needed replacing. (DONE 16FEB11)
- Drew Skull and Crossbones (a test file) on Whiteboard (DONE 17FEB11)
- X and Z axes are sticking.
- Mendel Parts. (DONE 17JUL11)
- Convert patterns to gCode (DONE 19FEB)
- Determine scaling factor for steps (DONE 19FEB)
- Sort out Problems with Z-axis (replaced Z-axis NEMA23 with a NEMA34 Stepper) (DONE 04JUN11)
- Learn how to account for tool diameter (Purchased License to LazyCAM)(DONE 16JUL11)
- Download patterns for Parts (RepRap website)
- Cut out Parts (successfully cut out Print Bed and Y-Axis(the squashed frog) )(DONE 17JUL11)
- Experiment with Dremel for cutting PCB Traces
- Acquire copper clad pcb sheet
- Acquire pcb trace engraving bits (DONE 10JUL11)
- Modify gantry station to accept Dremel in addition to the main router
Resources
Ideas
- I'll probably want to go with a belt drive system for the 4'x 8' iteration.