Beginner Needs Help

[DaveUK]

To start, i have used CNC machines in the past, but only with MDF and Foam.

I'm planning on trying to build my own CNC machine of some sort that will provide me with some nice clean cuts in steel.

The cutting area only needs to be 2' x 2' and the steel i will cut will be no thicker than 1.0mm.

As i'm completely new to the whole idea of building a CNC machine, never mind one that can handle metals, i was wondering if you could give me some advice on the type of machine that will be best for my requirements, maybe somewhere to get plans & parts from, and any other advice that would be of use to a beginner.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as this stuffs just going right over my head at the moment.

[grinder_gary]

My suggestion is to go through the build logs on this site and there are also some plans available. Asking specific questions will also get more people to reply. Spend some time researching and you will find lots of information!

Good luck!

GG

[yoopertool]

DaveUK, There arent a whole lot of people on here who make machines capable of cutting steel. Most of the people who want to cut metals go with a retrofit, where they take an old cnc or a manual machine and put motors and controls on it. While it is definately possible to make a machine to cut steel, it may be cheaper and easier to retrofit. Good luck with whatever you do!

[Weldtutor]

Originally Posted by DaveUK I'm planning on trying to build my own CNC machine of some sort that will provide me with some nice clean cuts in steel. The cutting area only needs to be 2' x 2' and the steel i will cut will be no thicker than 1.0mm

Hi DaveUK,
Welcome to CNC Zone!

A properly built & operated CNC table fitted with a quality Plasma arc machine is capable of producing nice clean cuts on 1.0 MM steel.

A machine of the size you require has recently been completed, by Mike Laws, in the thread at this link.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39199

He is working currently on plans for a
larger machine which are posted there.

After much research & help from members of this forum, I was able to complete my CNC plasma table, as shown in this thread.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16634
It could be scaled down to the size you need.

Many suppliers of software, bearings, stepper or servo motors, electronic "drives" or complete electronic packages are advertisers here at CNC Zone.

LASER or EDM will also produce the results you are looking for, but at a much higher cost than Plasma arc cutting.