My first cnc router

[blfuller123]

I am really new to the cnc world but I have been lurking around here for a little while and now I'm in the process of building my first cnc router. I am basically copying the one in the CNC Robotics book by Geoff Williams but I am putting my spin on it. I want to be able to use this to cut mainly acrylic and some wood work.

The frame is going to be made of steel and is going to have a cutting area of around 40x30. I now have all of my rails and will be picking up the steel for the gantry in the next week or so. I am using THK rails and bearings for the X axis. I am using Thomson supported rails and bearings for the Y axis and I am using unsupported Thomsom rails and bearings for the Z axis. Basically what I could get good prices on. I still need to get the lead screws for the X and Y axis.

This is going to be kind of a slow project, but here is where I am now.

[Mr.Chips]

A good start. Fully supported rails are always the best choice. Do you have any drawings of your machine?

Hager

[blfuller123]

I do have drawings, but they are on good old fashon paper.

[Mr.Chips]

Originally Posted by blfuller123 I do have drawings, but they are on good old fashon paper.

I did that too.. Started with sketches then to full size drawings for some of the areas to insure it would work.

I made a moving table fixed gantry as I determined it would be more rigid. And I could build it with the woodworking tools I already had. Will use it to make my moving gantry machine.

Good luck.

[blfuller123]

Have any of drawings of your machine?

[JIMMY]

good start

[blfuller123]

Well I picked up the steel for the gantry today and took some of it it is over to my buddies house for welding. Hopefully I will have it back in the next couple of days and I can get it put together. I also got the last piece of aluminum for the z axis. MAybe this weekend I will get something worth taking pictures of.

I think I have convinced myself to use one leadscrew under the cutting area on the X axis instead of two screws and steppers.

[Mr.Chips]

In your photo I see acme thread and allthread.
Why use allthread if you have access to acme thread? Just wondering.

Hager

[blfuller123]

Nope, no all thread in that picture.

[Mr.Chips]

Originally Posted by blfuller123 Nope, no all thread in that picture.

Thats good.

From the photo the smaller one looked like the threads were pretty sharp, vs flat on top.

Hager

[blfuller123]

I got the two pieces of the gantry back from my buddy today and here they are. I will bolt the two pieces that go horizontally to these to make the Y axis.



I got started on the Z axis tonight. I got the aluminum cut and started drilling it before the kids went to bed. I had to stop because the garage is just below my daughters room and the drill press was making alot of noise drilling the 1.25 inch holes. This is as far as I got. I should finish it up this weekend.

[Stile2]

Looking good so far!! Yeah RC!!

Fellow Reef Tank Guy following along!

Keith