Home made CNC machine - How to

[Dangermouse]

Firstly let me apologise to Christel - I can see Ovenpaa making one of these before the weekend is out!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-to ... g-Machine/

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6drMZqmy ... ature=plcp[/youtube]

Should anyone actually build one let us know,

DM

[Christel]

Sigh :lol:

Nah, I need not worry this weekend, we are off to Newark. Should keep him occupied.

[AL8]

that looks interesting, I would love to see one work. I would imagine it would be for light work only, even so it beats using a file

[ovenpaa]

It would be perfect for engraving names and logos, I often look at the build of bench top CNC machines, the Americans seem to be able to build them for very little money, last time I checked the drives alone were GBP300+

A lovely project all the same.

[Scotsgun]

Don't go there - seriously.

The problem isn't in the assembly; its in the quality of the stepper motors and the electronics required. I guarantee the quality resulting from that machine will barely make it worth it. Decent stepper motors will be £300-500 and you'll need a minimum of 2 per axis of travel. A decent controller will cost another grand.

These little machines are only good for soft materials like foam, balsa and plastics.

The Brunel University recently ran a project with DATA in which secondary schools could apply and receive a basic kit from which they were to make their own simple CAM machine. Of the 50 kits distributed, only 9 machines were proven fault free and operational.

I have CAM machines in the college. We'll always make something for a small fee - it helps pay for the materials and parts. We have the odd lathe and milling machine, but the backbone of our CAM facilities are the Boxford LS900 CO2 laser system and Boxford A3HSRmi2Ex 3-axis router.

[M99]

Ah that takes me back - first "job" was a CNC press programmer - got bored senseless and joined the RAF!!

Mike