DIY CNC Machine on Instructables.com

[stuart.mcfarlan]

Hello:

Well I'm rather excited as I have just finished building my three axis CNC machine, while not documenting my process here I have done so at Instructables.com. In case any of you would like to check it out.

How to Make a Three Axis CNC Machine (Cheaply and Easily) http://www.instructables.com/id/EBZ3QQVF3HY3SL2/

And because it's fun here's a timelapse of me assembling the pieces.


Would love to hear any comments or suggestions on how to make it better.

Stuart

[Kipper]

Absolutely fantastic presentation (Router looks good too) I think it's brilliant!

[tercero]

Looks like a nice machine. Building my Solsylva was an exercise in learning to do things twice in most cases. (Bending Aluminum to 120 deg only to have it tear was not a nice lesson). I'm still working on my Joesmachine, but I'll give this one a whirl later. I picked up a 40 watt Synrad, and this looks like something I might modify to hold it.

Thanks,

J.

[Switcher]

Dude, you are Fast!

Good job...

[dan_the_welder]

Dude,

That is awesome. Thank you so much for putting on such a fun show.

Reminding us that we are playing, because play is what keeps us alive.


Dan

[tornos]

Originally Posted by stuart.mcfarlan Would love to hear any comments or suggestions on how to make it better. Stuart

I am thinking of building this router. this will also be my first router building project. I have two questions

1)by reading the assembly instructions, i cannot find how the moving cart is secured on both metal rod slides. Is it only secured by gravity?
2)there is a .dxf file with all the parts in 2D. Can this file be used by a shop to laser cut the parts?

PS:by the way, thank you for the excellent presentation!

regards
Dimitris

[stuart.mcfarlan]

1)by reading the assembly instructions, i cannot find how the moving cart is secured on both metal rod slides. Is it only secured by gravity? 2)there is a .dxf file with all the parts in 2D. Can this file be used by a shop to laser cut the parts?

Hey in quick answer to your questions.

1. the moving cart is secured to the metal slides by gravity and the way the drive belt is run. It results in the cart being pulled down onto the rails as well. Resulting in quite a sturdy connection

2. The .dxf file could be used however depending on the needs of the shop you are going to it would probably need to be massaged to meet their requirements. (a warning here I originally drew it in CorelDraw and the DXF export function of CorelDraw tends to be wonky at the best of times so there may be hidden lines or open shapes and the like which will be hard to spot)

Hope I haven't scared you off and keep me posted on your progress (or shoot me a line if you have any further questions)
Stuart

[bigz1]

Great presentation. If I had done that on my build it mainly would of consisted of small burst of activity followed by LOOONNNGGG periods of scratching my head with even MMMMMOOOORRRRRREEEEE periods of no activity at all.

[chrislebeck]

i have a few questions that i posted on the instructables site or do i need to post them here?!
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...14YEBTF7YPXHF9

[chrislebeck]

on the parts list it doesn't specify the size of the belt clamps. anyone have a size? or does it really matter? that is the only part i have left to buy before building. also will me using steel square tubing affect anything over the aluminum in the parts list? my home depot & lowes only had the steel in stock. thanks! & thanks stuart for a great little project!

[chrislebeck]

also curious as to what kinds of bits people are using in their dremel tools or whatever. this is all new to me so i'm just trying to get a feel for what to use when. thanks