building a cnc/newbie

[Mr. midnight]

Hello folks im not for sure where to be here in this forum, im looking for the section for folks just getting in to this hobby or profession.
im looking to build a small type cnc machine that will cut small panels no bigger than 8 inches by 4 inches.
so im taking time off from building my project so that i can build a cnc machine that will in prove the project greatly.
so if some one can direct me to the proper section of this forum that would be great, oh and the panel will be made of wood 1/4 inch thick.

thanks........Robert

[thkoutsidthebox]

Good luck with your build, but be warned that it may become a never ending project in and of itself!
You probably want to start a thread in the DIY build forum. L8rs.

[joecnc2006]

I would start with a machine bigger than you need, because if you limit your self, then later on you will be thinking wish i had made a machine just a little bigger.

Joe

[thkoutsidthebox]

Originally Posted by joe2000che I would start with a machine bigger than you need, because if you limit your self, then later on you will be thinking wish i had made a machine just a little bigger. Joe

Yeah, I'd definately agree with that. You'll be surprised how annoyed you get that time you wish you 'Just had one more inch'!!

[Mr. midnight]

thanks for the comback , i guess now would be where to start and that would be plans, my budget is cheap as possible, meaning i will put toghether myself, i have computers and old printers and i have a good dremel with all of the fixins, i just need a good simple plan that will get the job done.

[thkoutsidthebox]

Firstly you need to ask what material you want to cut...only wood or may you also eventually want to cut metal?

What accuracy do you need?

What speed do you need to cut at?

Do you only need to carve the panel's in 2.5D, or might you also want to do 3D work requiring a 4th axis and different design?

The more information you can give the folks here about what you intend to use the machine for, the more they can help you. Also, is there any particular considerations, such as a lack of space, that you have to consider?

There are free plans available on cnczone for machines, but I think they are quite a bit larger than just your work area, although they could possibly be scaled down...

Also, I notice your in the USA, thats great, unlike those of us elsewhere, you'll have no trouble getting parts.

[Mr. midnight]

thank you for asking.

right now im building a simulator (737 ) in my room 13 by 13 feet.

and yes space is very important , i will be building out of wood and plexi-glass.

the panels as they are called will measure no bigger than 8 " by 8" any thing bigger i can make by hand i just need what a cnc machine can do.

i will cut these panels out paint them and install the switches.

from cutting presition holes to shapes that look more accurate than doing by hand.

my dremel is top of the line 5000 RPM.

accuracy is good but not 100% meaning anything it does will be better than hand.

i want it to be as small as possible , if next to my simulator in my room next to my small art studio close to the desk no problem , but if not than perhaps in one half of the garage,(still as small as posiible)

thanks for your help

[thkoutsidthebox]

You can look at this for motors and controller: http://www.hobbycnc.com/

I bought good value screws from these before: http://www.roton.com/

Sounds like you can build a suitable system for your purpose from wood or metal and get wood/metal at your local hardware store.

Here's a free Cad/Cam program designed by 10Bulls on this site, and you can talk to him about it: http://www.brusselsprout.org/CAMBAM/

Here's the program I (And a lot of others) use to run the machine: http://www.machsupport.com/

Of course there are many other systems as opposed to the ones above, but these are just the ones I have had some experience with.

I think you should use Acrylic as opposed to plexiglass, AFIK plexiglass crack's but acrylic is more machinable....although I could have it the wrong way around....someone else chime in here please?

[thkoutsidthebox]

Forgot to mention, it sounds like a really fun project. Flight sims are great. Pics of the build would be good?

[springlakecnc]

Hi, I agree about the size, you will always need bigger than you think, but concider this: typically, the bigger, the more ridgid! Once i bought out a shop and along with the bridgeports was a millright? mill. The mill had a 8"x32" table, (Bridgeport has 9"x42") and was physically almost the same size as a series 1 Bridgeport. I went to use it one day, and the table was jumping like crazy. The next day the machine was for sale. I had one of those small Atlas lathes also, and it would be ok if you had all day to turn your steel, but, that had to go also. The capacity was there, but the rgidity was not. I see alot of guys have those table top mills, and i wonder if they really cut steal with them...maybe with small cutters.

[shashank ayyar]

is there any need for tool changes whether you r cutting plexiglass or wood or acrylic?? or does the software controll tool speeds and other such?

[ahren]

Hi! I run a site that sells parts for inexpensive CNC routers built from 8020 aluminum extrusion. I'd be happy to help you with your design if you're interested. I'd like to develop a complete design anyway (to put on my website to help me sell more parts). You can scale your system however you wish with extrusions, so it might be just the thing for you. Check out the site at:

www.cncrouterparts.com

Best regards!

Ahren