Build Thread- Hi! Just want to introduce myself! I'm looking to build two very nice CNC routers.

[tribaloverkill]

Hello everyone! My name is TribalOVERKILL. I am looking to design a CNC router, 2 of them actually Both being identical.

First,... a little bit about me. I am a Industrial Designer, a creative mind. I love designing stuff Right now I design computer modding products. Everything I make now I make totally by hand only using the simplest of machines and tools. I am looking to open a business/ company very soon. I need automation to help manufacture products and prototypes quicker. Doing everything by hand is time consuming and as we all know,... time is money.

I want build two 4' x 4' CNC routers both exactly the same. These routers have to be of quality seeing that they will be running constantly. Money really isn't a problem. I mean I can't buy an off the shelf model or at least I don't want too. I would rather save a ton of money on two very good home built CNC's that I splurged on, you know what I mean?

These routers will be cutting all kinds of material. Aluminum, Copper, Wood, Fiberglass, Carbon Fiber, Acrylic, etc. They have to be quick and accurate. Which means they have to be absolutely ROCK SOLID! Fully supported. Rigid as hell. Any other words I can use to describe how sturdy I need them? LOL.

As said before I'm willing to splurge for the best of the best. But I still want to kind of draw the line though. I don't want to build a machine that is totally way above what I need it for. I don't want to build a CNC that NASA would use to build a rocket. So I want to draw the line and then splurge below the line. Example, I don't think I will be needing to use servos soooo I will splurge on steppers. Know what I mean?

Decisions, decisions, decisions! Materials, I would love the make the CNC's entirely out of steel! Welded/ bolted steel. I seriously need these CNC's to be as rock solid as possible and I need them to last as long as possible. The thing is that I am lacking what is required to process steel. The ability to cut it and weld it. Getting what i need to cut it really isn't all that much of a problem. Its the welding part really. You see, I just cant get a MIG because I don't really need a MIG. I need a TIG. Because I plan on doing a lot of aluminum welding down the road. Wouldn't be worth it to buy a MIG just for this. Maybe I could rent a MIG?!?! Hmmm.

I know there are many different types of materials used to make CNC routers. Wood, MDF, aluminum, steel, plastic, etc. Of all of those I am liking the idea of using either steel, aluminum, plastic or a combination of the three or two, whatever. Those materials are strong and long lasting. Wood and MDF, I just don't know about using these materials. They don't seem to be a long lasting solution. Even when it comes to accuracy. I know there are wooden CNC's that are very accurate. But I just don't want to worry about warping, swelling, splitting or anything like that. I know you can seal the wood too but with time it will be bumped scratched, scraped etc. Eventually it will fail. I don't want it to fail. I want it to last. If I use any wood whatsoever,... it might be for the stands.

As of now i can process aluminum and plastics very easily. I would like to acquire some more machinery to better make the parts I need to build these machines. Maybe even be able to make some or all the parts from steel.

I do have a few questions. When it comes to using plastic, which plastic is the most typical to use? Polyethylene? This plastic is fair in price and is said to be rigid with good impact and wear resistance. I just don't know how rigid it is. I plan on working with thickness of maybe 1/2", 5/8", up maybe 3/4". Anyone familiar with this plastic? What about Polycarbonate? It's said to be almost indestructible.

Another question. I would love to make everything myself but at what point to I draw the line?!?! Bearings and rods/ rails. Should I buy and make myself? I mean it would be cheaper to make it myself. I have seen guys make bearings and rails out of angled aluminum and I totally loved it! I seen guys use black pipe too! But how does it all compare to off the shelf rods and bearings?

I haven't started designing my CNC's just yet. I have an idea of what I want. First I want the CNC's to be low to the ground on very heavy and sturdy stands. I want the machine to have a very low center of gravity. If I have to built a machine that's 6' x 6' to have an extremely sturdy 4' x 4' cutting area,... I will do just that. I have an understanding of what needs to be. It just that when it comes to materials I'm not sure just yet. I'm thinking about using wood for the stand, and aluminum and plastic for the actual machine.

Opinions would be greatly appreciated I know this is a very long post. please bare with it. i plan on posting all my CNC updates in this very thread. Thanks

[Regnar]

Seeing this is for production I would check out Mechmate.com if I were you. Free plans and the designer supports the design for free. I dont know if it will be able to meet all your criteria like cutting aluminum. Either way I will let you make your own opinion. But something to keep in mind is that you could build one table with two gantrys. It will take up less space in the shop and if you have to cut something that is 4'x6' just move the one gantry all the way to the end and cut your piece with the other one.

What ever you go with your going to find out that price, accuracy,speed, size all go hand in hand. Just one of these can throw a budget out of the window and your asking for all 3.

Either way goodluck and post some pictures when you get it finished.

[tribaloverkill]

Wow. One table and two gantry's. That is a really good idea. As for the price associated with wanting accuracy, speed, and size,... I was thinking around 5000 for each CNC or 10000 for a one table, two gantry design. Not including software and a computer to run them.

Question,... all I would need is one PC to run both right? i dont see why not but I'm new to this so what do I know

As for using someone else's plans,... i dont really want to do that. I want to design them myself. I need something that is seriously rigid so I would like to design something to meet my needs.

The only thing about creating a one table/ two gantry design, say a 4'x8' machine, is that I eould worry about the gantry's dumping in the middle. I plan on cutting out a lot of parts trying to minimize sheet waste. Plus I would imagine building a larege 8' machine would be harder seeing that most materials have a max legnth of 8'. you know what I mean? Would be easy to have two 4'x4' machines. I have the space, kinda. I can make room. I plan on getting a bigger place down the road anyways. As soon as I start making money I will move into a bigger place. these CNC's will be the very start of my business.

So have you any experience with plastic materials? Which is better to use? what about drawing the line with homemade parts such as rods/ rails and bearings? Better to just buy them or what? I know it depends but,... i just want some good opinions