One years worth of pics and videos of my 43" x 98" MDF machine FIRST BUILD!!!

[Grunblau]

I guess complete at this point means 3-axis motion... My next plan is to use the machine to make itself better.

About a year ago I ran across BuildyourCNC.com after seeing a 'how to' on instructables.com. I used the fastening and rail techniques he describes there and found his video tutorials infinitely helpful. I began to lurk here and began designing my machine in Rhino.



Not only did I order the parts from Mcmaster Carr, but I found many of their digital models extremely helpful for designing using parts I didn't have yet...



I detailed the machine as much as a could digitally. Here is a shot of the Z axis exploded...



Then, I plotted the pieces 1:1 on Kinkos 40" plotter, spray mounted them to 3/4" MDF. At Home Depot I was able to get the stock cut into basic optimized shapes .



I used a friend's bandsaw to cut the parts out and began building...



If I did it over again, I would take many, many more pictures... These are taken when the basic form of the machine had taken shape.



It is almost impossible to get a good picture of the whole table.. The table surface is 98-1/2" X 43" this leaves maybe 18" on all sides of the machine. Since I could not go full 48"... I used the 6" rip to make the side ribs..



Here is a video showing the fluid motion of the 3 axis.. The stepper motor isn't attached at this point...



This is an image of the assembled Z axis...



After this point I broke the machine back down and polyurethaned all of the parts. I would hate to walk in there with a cup of coffee one morning and destroy the entire table with one bad step...

After reassembly and installing the lead screws, finishing up all of the motion components, and setting up the software I took it out for its first jog last night...



Then, the real test... lets "machine something"...





So far I am incredibly excited to get started using the machine... If I had any advice, it would be to start smaller I think. I have learned so much that it wouldn't take nearly as long next time. I started out with the idea if the whole thing failed, I would have a pretty sweet work table... or a base for a desktop shopbot etc... there is still quite a bit to do as far as cable management finding an appropriate space to machine in etc... I hope to have more information including pics of the transmission on the under side... as well as a basic accounting of everything. But I thought I'd make my first post and quit lurking so much!!

Brian

[zenbot]

Thats a nice machine. I want to see some videos of it cutting. keep up the good work.

[Khalid]

Very good quality output... Very Nice machine

[rgarrett7]

Wow! Totally awesome. I hope you will post some or all of the CAD drawings.

Terrific work!

[blackbeard52]

Well done!!

Bob

[Grunblau]

First cuts went very well!!!

Here is the roughing step in rigid foam..



Beginning of the finishing step...



Finished finishing...



First 'machined' piece...



Close up view of piece...



Here is a view of my custom cam controller box...

[FandZ]

Impressive planning and execution. Way to go. I hope you post more vids. Were there any problems that you ran into that you may want to share with a noobie like me?

[Grunblau]

Impressive planning and execution. Way to go. I hope you post more vids. Were there any problems that you ran into that you may want to share with a noobie like me?

I didn't really run into a lot of problems.. One major suggestion I'd have is to go with 1/2" lead screws... I went with 5/8"-8 2 start (4 TPI). There is huge support for 1/2" Like the dumpster nuts etc... not so much for the 5/8".

Start smaller than I did. My thinking was that my gantry would look the same for a 48" table as it would for a 96" table... why save the 20$ in MDF and $50 in lead screw? I am glad I have the working area, but I am already working on revisions and a smaller table design.

Take the addage that 'no one builds only one table' as fact... Your first hobby cnc is where you learn how to build your second cnc. Select components that you could eventually transfer to version 2.

Good luck on your build!!

[CarveOne]

Very nice workmanship on your machine. You spent considerable effort in the finishing of the MDF parts. Is that satin polyurethane with no stain? Clean looking machine design as well. Congrats.

CarveOne

[slammedxonair]

Wow! Totally awesome. I hope you will post some or all of the CAD drawings.

Terrific work!

I'll second that!

[Grunblau]

Very nice workmanship on your machine. You spent considerable effort in the finishing of the MDF parts. Is that satin polyurethane with no stain? Clean looking machine design as well. Congrats.

CarveOne

Thanks!!! About 3 coats of satin polyurethane sanded with 220 between coats...

[CarveOne]

Thanks!!! About 3 coats of satin polyurethane sanded with 220 between coats...

I thought so. It looked familiar. It's exactly what I did on the two 4'x8' MDF tops of the work tables I recently built for my workshop. Even used the 220 grit sandpaper.

CarveOne