Newbie- Guide to build CNC with less tools, but it written by Newbie.

[iD2]

Before start, i need to tell you who read this post. I never build a CNC machine before or know about engineer , electronic , mechanics , etc. But i decide to build my own one. And i have a lot of limitation , never see real CNC before , no milling machine , limit working area and my English is not good (actually it quite bad) and more..

Now i write everything in my Blog and it look like it possible to make it done , so i think it will be an advantage for someone , that why i start to post it here.

Any comments or advise are welcome.

Purpose
- Do everything in my Condominium , no shop , no room for working (actually do it in my bedroom)
- No need to do custom part by milling machine , just do it with my tools (you'll see in picture below)
- work with limit working area 40x60cm under my table , but i don't have table right now i'll purchase it after i finish my CNC design.

Skill need
- No need skill of Engineer , Electronic , Mechanics
- Can use 3D program (not for now , it can practice)
- Other skill , actually it important but no need for now

OK , Start

Here is my tools and no need more than this, except drill press (will purchase when need to use)






Oh..sorry for images quality , I don't have camera. All pictures take from a phone.

If you want to see my last update you can see in my blog iDea2RealLife.wordpress.com

And if you go to see my blog , i'm sorry for detail in my blog , I write all detail only in my language and actually i have plan to write in English version but big problem for me is my English.
But don't worry about detail in my blog , when you see pictures you'll know what i'm doing. The pictures in my blog now it more than 140 pictures.

[iD2]

After finding 3D program to use it for design CNC model , i decide to use Google Sketchup . Because it free and easy to use.

My first model. i'm try to create Aluminium profile but it not easy for me i use 3 day to finish this model.

[lovebugjunkie]

You might find something here that would save you some drawing time.
Free CAD Models, Free 3D Models from 80/20 Inc.

[iD2]

Originally Posted by lovebugjunkie You might find something here that would save you some drawing time. Free CAD Models, Free 3D Models from 80/20 Inc.

Thank you. that would save my time but i don't have CAD program. And free CAD program that i found has only "Blender" , it look difficult to use it and i don't have skill about CAD program ,so it not best choice for me right now.

thank you again.

[iD2]

After finish Aluminium profile model , i try to create step motor "StepSyn 103H7823-10D1"

And here my finish model with 2 day drawing.

[iD2]

OK , here all my component with detail of dimension. I'll use this component to design my CNC , every component design from component that i already have.

[CarbonKevin]

You might not be receptive to this sort of advice, but I'm going to give it anyhow.

You're pouring tons of time into making drawings - not even the actual design of the machine.

Pick up a pencil, paper, and straight edge, and start sketching ideas out on paper, to figure out the actual arrangements for your components. Judging by how long it takes to draw parts into SketchUp, the design that you appear to be heading toward will be agonizingly slow.

...This is coming from a guy who's worked in product design for several years and used CAD software 8 hours a day for most of that!

[iD2]

Originally Posted by CarbonKevin You might not be receptive to this sort of advice, but I'm going to give it anyhow. You're pouring tons of time into making drawings - not even the actual design of the machine. Pick up a pencil, paper, and straight edge, and start sketching ideas out on paper, to figure out the actual arrangements for your components. Judging by how long it takes to draw parts into SketchUp, the design that you appear to be heading toward will be agonizingly slow. ...This is coming from a guy who's worked in product design for several years and used CAD software 8 hours a day for most of that!

Thank you for your advice, i agree with you. I'm using most of my time to draw that components in SketchUp. It make me headache and slow my work.

I'm try to sketch my ideas on paper but it doesn't look nice and orderly that why i use most of time to draw parts in SketchUp , it not the best choice and it take very long time to draw every parts but my drawing skill very bad (i mean drawing on paper)

And i can't do a complex parts by myself and my tools that you'll see on my first post. So before i purchase Aluminium profile , Aluminium sheet i need to know every detail of my components (size , dimension , etc..) and when i need to purchase them i'll give my specification to the supplier and tell him to cut them with my specification.

After i get aluminium profile i can assembly them and aluminium sheet i'll need only drill and tap.

Thank you for you advice again.

If i make you confuse or make you misunderstand with my word i'm sorry. I'm not good in English

[CarbonKevin]

It makes sense to do a full layout in CAD before buying materials - no question there.

Could you do a layout without needing as much detail, though? Instead of doing the exact extrusion profile, draw it as a plain tube of the correct outer dimensions - 40x40 or whatever. You should still be able to do a CAD layout to get lengths and geometry right.

Good luck!

[tskguy]

You can also go to 80/20's website and find a local sales office. Give them a call and they will work with you and design your frame. My local dealer really worked with me and spent multiple days sending me CAD drawings with different options. I didnt draw a thing! Its a big time saver.

Eric

[iD2]

Originally Posted by CarbonKevin It makes sense to do a full layout in CAD before buying materials - no question there. Could you do a layout without needing as much detail, though? Instead of doing the exact extrusion profile, draw it as a plain tube of the correct outer dimensions - 40x40 or whatever. You should still be able to do a CAD layout to get lengths and geometry right. Good luck!

Thank you for good advice, i'll do it for my other design that will save my time and make my work go fast.

Originally Posted by tskguy You can also go to 80/20's website and find a local sales office. Give them a call and they will work with you and design your frame. My local dealer really worked with me and spent multiple days sending me CAD drawings with different options. I didnt draw a thing! Its a big time saver. Eric

Thank you for your advice.But there are no 80/20's sales office in my country but other seller they can design and sending me CAD drawing that looking good and easy for me but i still need to drawing a model by myself because i need to keep every step every work detail to update in my blog and i can change it every time that i need if it not fit to my requirement.

Thank you again for good advice , and give me other way to finish my work with easy way and use less time . I'll do that for other step.

Sorry for my English again.

[iD2]

Here's my components that already arrived except all linear guide way i bought a second hand it not good looking but still work in good condition.





My electronic components









and more...... you can see in my blog
Part 8
Part 10
Part 11