Lots of CNC questions (help a noob!)

[*o*]

Hi,

I have many questions! hopefully i will be able to get some answers.

1) Would Joe's 2006 model be able to cut aluminium?

2) would JGRO's CNC be able to cut aluminium?

3) If i plan to cut aluminium should i use a router of a dremel?

4) Can anyone reccomend a good 3 Axis control unit?

5) For Joe's how strong would the stepper motor's need to be?

6) For JGRO's how strong would the motors need to be?

7) What thickness of MDF would be reccomended for Joe's?

8) Would standard threaded rod and nuts work ok for CNC machines?

9) How powerful would a router need to be to be sufficient to cut aluminium?

10) Can anyone reccomend a good stepper motor controller design (that I can make myself)?

11) How much have you spent on building your CNC?

12) How do you convert a 3D model into a G-code?

13) What format can the 3D model be?

14) what programs can i use to model this?

15) If i do use aluminium do i need to use coolant? if so what coolant would be appropriate?

16) What voltage/amperage would be nescessary for a 3 axis machine like joes?

17) How much would i expect to pay for the parts to Joe's (if i built it myself)?

18) What programs would you all reccomend for drawing up accurate designs?

19) would you reccomend using a single or double rail on the X axis?

Wow, thats a lot of questions!

Thankyou soo much for your help!

[dertsap]

you may want to read joes thread and see what he used

[dertsap]

1) yes
2)yes
3)router varable speed
4)gecko
5)200oz +
6)read 5
7) suggest 3/4
8) yes but slower due to tpi
9) typical router to take lite cuts
10) pminmo here has some nice board designs ,
11) enough
12)cad/cam
13) depends upon the software ,
14) to much to choose from
15) a little oil goes a long way , coolant may not be necessary
16)depends on the driver and motors used
17) ask joe
18)to many to choose from ,depends upon price and affordability
19) dual

[*o*]

Wow! thanks for the response!

You have cleared up almost all of my questions! ill start designing when i get some free time ( way to busy right now).

Just some last questions: Are there any open source accurate design programs appropriate for designing my CNC mill in?

How would using standard threaded metal affect the overall accuracy of the mill?

P.S. what does TPI stand for?

[dertsap]

do a google search theres a few good cad programs out there

[andy_ck87028]

Threads per inch

[Guldberg]

Maybe you'll be better of building an already designed router table for your first machine, the learning curve is somewhat steap for most CAD/CAM softwares, so start the easy way and make a jgro or order some plans from solsylva.com f.x.

[ger21]

Originally Posted by *o* Just some last questions: Are there any open source accurate design programs appropriate for designing my CNC mill in?

Not open source, but free. www.alibre.com/xpress

[Ariox]

As I read this post, I was expecting this whole forum to lash out at he who doth not use Google. Rather, I was pleased to find that the poster was promptly helped. In other forums, I've seen entire flame wars start over some one asking a simple question. And, although I worship Google, it's nice to know I can ask a 2 minute question without being rudely referred to an hour of googling for an obscure piece of information.

--Ariox

[tjk888]

I am just starting my first cnc build and I am wondering how and where I am suppose to put my material on the router... It is probably a stupid question but I haven't figured out how to program/set the machine. It is a little early, since my machine is not operational yet, however, it would be nice to know when it I prepare for the first run at it..
thanks

[ahren]

For qeustion 18, Alibre is definitely the more professional program for machine desigin, but if you want something easy to pick up and learn, try google sketchup. It's free, and helpful for other things as well (like remodelling!)

For question 12, check out meshcam and sheetcam as affordable 3D CAM programs -- they also have demos available for download.

For question 4, check out the gecko G540. It saves the cost of a breakout board, and is really an exceptional value.

Best regards,

Ahren
www.cncrouterparts.com

[Crevice Reamer]

Read this! It will help alleviate your noobness:

http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread...709#post572709

CR.