2x4 CNC Machine

Creator: EnabrinTain Status: Assembly Born On: 22 Oct 2010 (CDT) Last Updated: 17:55, 01 November 2010 (CDT)

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

• Most of the Parts are ordered.
• The wood has been cut, but not fitted.
• Sourced Barrel Nuts locally
• Electronics and Steppers are in
• stepper/drive screw couplings ordered but not arriving til monday or tuesday
• table-top assembled (omg its heavy)
• gantry fitted and assembled
• stepper motor mounts drilled
• drive screws cut

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)	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

Next Steps

1. 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)
2. Put the Table together.
   1. X-axis (DONE 28OCT10)
      1. 2'x 4' MDF sections bolted together (DONE 27OCT10)
      2. Rails attached (DONE 28OCT10)
      3. Ends attached (DONE 28OCT10)
   2. Y-axis
      1. Drill Holes in Gantry Sides (DONE 28OCT10)
      2. Attach Rails (DONE 29OCT10)
      3. Attach B.R.A.s (DONE 29OCT10)
      4. Assemble Gantry (DONE 29OCT10)
   3. Z-axis
      1. Drill Holes (DONE 29OCT10)
      2. Attach Rails (DONE 30OCT10) (literally held on by friction according to the book)
      3. Attach B.R.A.s (DONE 30OCT10)
      4. Assemble Router Base (DONE 30OCT10)
3. Get miscellaneous parts (Drive Couplings) (DONE 27OCT10)
   1. Wait for miscellaneous parts to arrive (Drive Couplings) (DONE 30OCT10)
4. Wait for the Control Equipment to arrive from China. (ARRIVED- 27OCT10)
5. Attach Electronics
   1. Drill Motor Mounts (DONE 31OCT10)
   2. Cut Drive Screws (DONE 31OCT10)
   3. Drill holes for screws in gantry pieces
   4. Attach motors
   5. Hook motors to driver board
   6. Receive USB-to-Parallel Cable
   7. Configure software
6. Done

Resources

• Book Website

Ideas

• I'll probably want to go with a belt drive system for the 4'x 8' iteration.

Pretty Pictures

CNC Table	Bearing Rail Assemblies	Gantry Sides w/ BRA's
Gantry Assembled	Z-Axis Layed Out	Y-Axis on Gantry