For the last 6 or 7 months I've been planning, learning, researching and planning some more on my CNC machine. This will be my worklog for building my CNC router.
My goals for the machine are as follows:
[list=1][*]Have a cutting area of about 15 inches by 30 inches.[*]Use everyday common parts[*]Build it all with simple tools (ie. no welder, lathes, or mills)[*]Combine techniques used in other CNCZone memeber's machines.[*]Be as cheap as possible[/list=1]
Materials:
Following in the footsteps of those before me I decided to build the majority of the components out of MDF.
The rail system for Axis' X, Y, and Z will be made out of 1 inch, .75 inch and .5 inch drill rod purchased from Enco.
I'm going to try the bearing style used on this machine [
click here ]. Again from Enco I purchased a 12 by 12 sheet of 1.5 inch UHMW.
The lead screws will be .5 inch 10tpi ACME screws from Enco.
Stepper motors will be used from used surplus printers. The stepper driver is custom built from the plans at
buildyouridea.com. Thepower supply will be a modified ATX PC power supply.
All other materials used will be discussed at the approprate time.