My 3 Axis 3D CNC Machine with 4th Axis

[AssassinXCV]

Will be posting pictures of my machine, I followed the plans of one on instructables.com

Mine has a 6" x 6" x 5 1/8" cutting area. The plans called for only 2"; z travel, but I modified it so that it would accept up to 5 1/8" objects; due to the design. This is my first machine and I was still learning, so I didn't change too many things due to the in experience, but now, if I could start over, I'd make it better. The parts for this machine were cut in the last few months before the end of my senior year at my highschool; I do not own much equipment other than: drill press with laser pointer, hand drills, chop saw, bandsaw, hand router, disc and belt sander, table top grinder, powered hand planer. I started building this machine during spring break of 2010, had to take time off of it due to summer jobs, then college came around, but January 2011 i have fewer classes, warmer weather, and more time to work on the machine, to get it finished and to finally MAKE SOMETHING!
Just a small intro; will post pictures soon.

The credit for the initial design of the machine goes to Honus; member of Instructables.

[AssassinXCV]

Some of those pictures were pretty old. Here's a model of the machine that i made in sketchup. As you can see i also drew up a possible 4th axis arrangement.

As you can see the table is short, and causes the lathe chuck to take up some of the cutting area; but dont worry, when i was cutting out the parts, i made preporations to have an attachable lathe, so i cut out tables that were longer: 8" x 6" instead of the usual 6" x 6" table.

This will give me the area i need to be able to mount the lathe without compromising the amount of machine able area.

Also note that the size of the spindle isn't correct, the dremel i have will be longer.

[mcphill]

Awesome job! Glad to see your level of "git 'r done" in High School. It seems to me you are well in the minority in that regard.

Stick to it!!!

[AssassinXCV]

Awesome job! Glad to see your level of "git 'r done" in High School. It seems to me you are well in the minority in that regard.

Stick to it!!!

The aluminum flex couplers i ordered finally arrived from 2weeks standard shipping!!! One step closer to victory!!!, but the last few weeks of college is upon me so i need to stay focus on that, then i have all the time i need in the 4 month summer! WOOO!

[AssassinXCV]

Dust Box for cnc machine. I still deciding whether or not i need one.

Just bought this Playstation 2 aluminum case for $8 brand new! i can even put my powersupply on the left, and keep the driver board safe in the right compartment!

[AssassinXCV]

Here are some of the ideas i have to mount the Dremel tool to my machine.

[lovebugjunkie]

What CAM software do you have in mind to generate your g-code for 3d?
Also by mounting the rotary axis on your table I think you may run into trouble due to the added weight on one end causing your x or y to bind or flex the rails.

[AssassinXCV]

I'm just going to be using Heekscnc, or Cambam for now and see what i can do before i commit to other software. Also taking a look at the CNC Tookit for Gmax/3dsmax for the 4th axis gcode.

[AssassinXCV]

Awesome job! Glad to see your level of "git 'r done" in High School. It seems to me you are well in the minority in that regard.

Stick to it!!!

Well, none of my friends believed id actually make it, can't wait till I get to prove them wrong; especially my brother that for some reason has a grudge against cnc machines, and rather buy one of those makerbot 3D printers.

[AssassinXCV]

Finally finished the machine. I'm using a HobbyCNC Pro driver board, 35v 10A powersupply, 3 Amp Nema 23 steppers. A Dremel 4000 as the spindle, and i have 2 1/8" carbide endmills (one flat end, and one ball nose) for now.

It can cut balsa wood with a clean finish. This machine is for more 3D applications instead of the usual Plywood cutting tables.

I already have the designs for adding a 4th Axis using a 3" mini wood lathe chuck from Grizzly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSK-PQM20V0]First CNC Test Cuts on wood Balsa Woo! - YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96qM0ZSwxaE]First CNC Test Cuts on wood Balsa Woo! 2 - Second view of machine - YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQQABPbr3Kw]First CNC Test Cuts on wood Balsa Woo! 3 - Faster Feedrate - YouTube

[AssassinXCV]

Here are some better photos. i realized i didnt have any real life pictures of it posted




Using a 1/8" Carbide endmill


Still working out some of the kinks. Turns out the Idle Current reduction circuit in the driverboard causes the z axis to lag and doesnt move up (i requires a coordinate to start the current up again, and then another to actually move, but if it is just one code ie. z +0.05 , then it just makes wierd noise and doesnt move; which causes it to be too low, and when the command tells it to go down again (to the next step down level), it ends up going too far since the computer THINKS that it is higher than it actually is.

Solution: disable the idle current reduction using Jumper #4. Jumper #4 dont need to be used on the x and y axis since they are moving alot more than the z axis, and dont gain anything by having the reduction on, since it never gets activated, since those axis are always moving within 10 seconds.

[AssassinXCV]

I need to purchase a good shop power bar so that i dont have to stretch 4 extension cords around the side of the house.