First CNC "Ikea"router finished

[16F9]

Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster. It is with great satisfaction that I present my completed first cnc machine. Thank you all for your wonderful posts, without which I would have made many mistakes and spent more hours banging my head against the wall, not to mention money saved by consulting the advice of others here.

I call this the Ikea router because its based on the "Bjorkudden" table from Ikea, and I also used the "Lack" coffee table and "Skrin" metal box for my control box.

Here are some pics and stats, I've got a piece running as we speak. I've learned a lot, I'm happy with the performance so far (for my intended use) and time will tell how she holds up.

I've also provided a link to the lightwave files (.lwo) if anyone wants to build, modify, or critique the design.

I use lightwave to create my 3d models, then Vetric Cut 3D to generate tool paths, and Mach 3 to send the G-Code

Stats:
Machinable area: 34 x 22 x 4.5 inches

Rapids: 30 IPM

Spindle: Kress FME 800

Electronics: http://www.kelinginc.net Keling basic kit = 3 x KL23H276-30-8B 276oz steppers, KL - 4030 controlers, C-10 Breakout board, 24 Volt Power Supply.

Laptop: Dell Latitude C610

Extrusions: http://stores.ebay.com/8020-Inc-Garage-Sale

Bearing Blocks, mounts: http://www.cncrouterparts.com I followed this example and corresponding parts: http://www.cncrouterparts.com/parts.html


My grand total is 3600 bucks. Please note that number includes EVERYTHING; Mach and Vetric software, shop vac, 25 different bits, old Dell laptop off ebay, every single nut and bolt etc....


Lightwave files of the design: http://www.stef.com/CNC_router

[ger21]

Very, very nice. And a fellow LW user, too.

[grahamshere]

Hey thats a pretty nice looking machine, hats off to you and your build.

[jcdillin]

Very nice, good looking machine!

[rlrhett]

Very interesting. So you drive it from one side (not the center) and keep everything from racking with the cable system? If so, that is one tremendous endorsement for the cable anti-racking system!!!

[16F9]

Yup, that is the plan. I followed this thread:

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51485

Everything works great so far but I haven't done a part yet that uses the full width of the table yet so we shall see -stef

[Nitroghost]

is there a video of the machine running? boy that would be a good one to see. very nice build.

Jim

[16F9]

Thank you all for the nice comments.

I'll try to take a better video sometime soon but in the meantime here is a video taken during the finish pass of the test part shown in the first post. Its a 1/16 ball end, 25 inches per minute, with a 15% stepover.
The occasional camera shake is because I put the camera right on top of the x axis stepper motor. I do not have the vacuum system running in this clip because there is very little dust created with this pass.

You will need quicktime to view this.

http://www.stef.com/CNC_router/routermovie.AVI

[ahren]

Great looking machine! I remember when you ordered the parts -- that was a pretty quick build. The IKEA table looks like an excellent idea for a solid but inexpensive workbench -- how much do those run?

Also, it looks like you have an interesting configuration for the screw/nut/bearing combination. I hadn't anticipated people running screws off to the side of the linear carriages rather than between them, but it looks like it's working pretty well.

Lastly, I'd love to see some tests on the anti-racking system. It looks very professionally implemented! Where did you get the rollers from?

Ahren
www.cncrouterparts.com

[16F9]

Thanks Ahren, I'm super pleased with your parts, they went together exactly as planned!

The Bjorkudden table from Ikea is 99 bucks.

The pulleys are from McMaster Carr, and as far as testing goes there was a bunch done in the above mentioned thread. I'm so excited to be finally finished and making parts that I'm not planning on doing any testing on the racking myself. I'll just keep working the machine until it tells me something otherwise!

[MMEYER]

I work for 80/20 Inc. and noticed the nice pictures of your router. I have to say that I am impressed especially what you can do with our products. Can you email me the pictures of this directly and may we have your permission to use them in one of our upcoming "Made with 80/20 Stuff" application booklets? Please reply back to me if you would on how to contact you, etc.

Thanks,

mmeyer

[ilvaporista]

Someone else in Italy....

I too am a lurker and plan to start a build after Christmas, lots of good ideas there.

Any useful suppliers in Italy or have you sourced most parts from abroad?