I intend to make large scale car models in foam. A starting point, to make very accurate 1/3 scale car models in fibreglass.
Can I actually build a 4 or 5 axis CNC Machine?
How much would the cost be?
Are there any plans or kits to start from? |
This sounds like a very enjoyable project. Welcome, Ernesto, to the group!
Let's take your questions, one at a time.
Of course you can build a 4 or 5 axis CNC machine -- trust me, anyone can do it. How much of the project *you* do will help to determine your final cost.
Let me make the following suggestion. It's often suggested that someone build a small, simple machine first, as a learning experience. You could build a large 3 axis machine, and add the additional rotational axes later, as you gain experience.
The cost is going to be highly variable. Assuming this machine would be used only to cut foam, the loads on the parts would not be very great.
You'll have to tell us what level of accuracy you want, but it should be very possible to make a medium to large sized machine, from commonly available parts, and to do so relatively inexpensively.
If you want to upgrade your parts (for example, manufactured linear rails, rather than something homemade) it'll cost more.
As for existing plans, there are quite a few sets of them, some of which are offered by people on this board. I'll let them respond to this question, specifically.
If you give us some more details about your requirements (what does "very accurate 1/3 scale car models" actually mean, in terms of dimensional errors? +-1mm, or +-1um?) and some more details on the project, I'm sure we can come up with some specifics!
-- Chuck Knight