1st CNC idea sketchup

[marcll]

Hey all,

This is mostly based off buildyourcnc.com cnc router tutorial. I'm curious if there are any problems with the idea, maybe something I overlooked. As you can see it's fairly small, but I will use it to machine small parts, as well as etch and drill pcb's.

[jasminder]

try making your Y axis wider as compared to the height of tool .
it will save you from vibertations and play between axis.

[CarveOne]

Mount the motor and coupler outside the front or rear of the machine's base plate and use a longer lead screw to make use of more of the travel capability. You can put a sheet aluminum cover over the motor and coupler to keep dust and debris off of it if you wish to.

For the gantry beam, a piece of 8020 extrusion would be much stiffer than a single layer of MDF. If not that, double the thickness of the beam with two layers of MDF for improved resistance to twisting under loads.

CarveOne

[marcll]

Originally Posted by CarveOne Mount the motor and coupler outside the front or rear of the machine's base plate and use a longer lead screw to make use of more of the travel capability. You can put a sheet aluminum cover over the motor and coupler to keep dust and debris off of it if you wish to.

But either way I'm going to have a gap of space under the base where the gantry wouldn't be able to reach, or else the router would go over the side of the base.

Originally Posted by CarveOne For the gantry beam, a piece of 8020 extrusion would be much stiffer than a single layer of MDF. If not that, double the thickness of the beam with two layers of MDF for improved resistance to twisting under loads.

Perhaps a pipe or MDF piece that sits behind the Y carraige, parralel to the gantry rail, but not actually a rail.