My first CNC Machine

[deleteallusers]

Ok, Here's a picture of my first CNC machine.

And here's some specs.

Work area is 15"X28"
The motors are Xylotex 425oz/in

I've got to upgrade the tool head and install the electronics
but the major work is done.

I built this for a cheap solution to drill holes in plastic and etch PCB's

I did not follow any specs, I used a skill saw and hand drill. Thats why there is allot of screws. I just made it up as I went along. The worst part was getting everything to slide smooth.

I know it looks kinda rough.

But... What do you think ? will it work ?

What should I change ? I used slide rails for the table. They use ball bearings.

What do you think ? Don't be afraid of hurting my feelings, tell me what you think.

Do you think it could mill small aluminium or brass with a new toolhead ?

Thanks,
-Mark
deleteallusers@hotmail.com

P.S. Do't be afraid of my username - I got free space at hotmail - they were afraid to delete it

Here's the CNC machine. ( ua... As everyone knows it only takes about 3-4 days to make a machine like this, cause there very basic )

[rustamd]

Looks similar to rockford's design. Interesting way of getting more out of x axis. Does the table stay flat and level as it moves away?

Have any videos of it cutting yet?

Also is there a reason why z axis screw so long or is it just not trimmed yet?

Looks good over all!

Russ

[deleteallusers]

Thanks, I still got to trim the screws and hook it all up.

I'm not sure how it's going to work yet.

I'll post some video when I get it working.

I'm going to do a second revision of the machine with enhanced bearing designs.

I really want to do a maglev but I still to much of a novice
to go there.

Thanks for the feedback.

[CNCkitsandBITS]

Adding some screws higher up your gantry sides into the mdf will give the gantry more rigidity.

Also if you could get another spindle clamp on there it would help.

Other than that good job for a first machine.

John

[deleteallusers]

How tight/hard should it be to crank my motors by hand ? Also, where
can I buy the hand cranks for the ends of the motors ?

Everything seems really tight/stiff is that normal ? The motors are hard
to turn by hand.

Thanks,
-Mark

[CNCkitsandBITS]

I presume you mean with power off? If yes then you should ideally be able to turn them quite easily between your thumb and one finger (turning via the screws). If it is difficult to turn them using your whole hand then you need to look for binding.

As for buying hand wheels; hopefully some one your side of the pond will answer that.

John

[rustamd]

I've seen some handwheels in grizzly catalog, but i'm pretty sure that enco and other suppliers carry them as well...

[jfc11]

I got my handles from mcmaster carr
Jim

[CurtisU]

Ditto the spindle clamp.

I made crank levers out of leftover plastic... picture a rectangular piece of 3/4" material 1"x4" drill hole in at one end to accept the shaft cut thru from the end to create a pinch type method of fastening to the shaft (screw tightener) and screw a knob of some kind on the other end. Of course mine is clamped to 1/2" ACME screw, this type arrangment might slip on slick motor shafts. However now that I've grown comfortable using the machine I rarely use the knobs.

Regarding the difficulty in turning your screws... make sure your motor wires are not touching, in the right short ckt combination, cogging is much stronger. Perhaps you can undo the coupler and see if the screw turns easier.

Curtis

[deleteallusers]

Thanks, everyone !

[CurtisU]

Pic of a homemade "knob".

[emtffkev]

I'm not sure if its just me, but I am getting an error everytime i try clicking the link for your origional pic of the machine.