Student Building a CNC Machine for Metal

[MetalCNCing]

I want to build a CNC from scratch, just like this:

http://haascnc.com/VMC_MODEL_GANTRY.asp#gantry

Using the PK299 steppers, 3 gearbox's one for each axis on the steppers, 11HP router, 15HP drive, and I have a 5-Axis stepper driver board, and many slides and rail's from Igus, here are the pieces i have from them:
2x- TKHF-30-2-1365 (about 50in travel) X-Axis Support (DryLin T)

2x- HTS- (30mm Shafting) and the travel for both should be 1220mm. (X,Y)

1x- HTS- (30mm Shafting) and the travel should be 430mm. (Z)

[ViperTX]

Hu....I checked and didn't find any Shizouka VMCs.

[coolman]

What is the criteria when building your own CNC that must cut anything like metal/steel and you want to build everything from scratch? I am in the middle of building one using 3" x 3" x 0.25" mild steel square tubing. The CNC frame measures 72"L x 53"W x 46" H. I already got the entire frame built and it is pretty sturdy since it does not move or moves very little when I shake it hard (see pics). I also have a Hitachi M12V Router (3-1/4 HP), Tormach.com Nema34 640 OZ-IN stepper motors, Gecko drives, and etc. Can someone provide some info on how well my setup will work for milling steel/metal/wood/etc?

Thanks,

[Bloy2004]

one quick observation......when you have a load traversing the Yaxis, the gantry will undoubtedly flex (if not permanently warp) as the cutter tries to cut into the steel. Another quickie... because the mass is low the machine will experience huge amounts of vibration (when working in steel)

[MetalCNCing]

Well my table supports are 3/4" Steel, and the table itself is 1-1/2" Aluminum 6063-T651. And on the Y-Axis I have a combination of the 1-1/2" Aluminum and 3/4" Steel, I don’t think this would flex one bit, especially if im going to cut very slowly!!

[Todd Price]

I want to build a CNC from scratch, just like this:

http://haascnc.com/VMC_MODEL_GANTRY.asp#gantry

Using the PK299 steppers, 3 gearbox's one for each axis on the steppers, 11HP router, 15HP drive, and I have a 5-Axis stepper driver board, and many slides and rail's from Igus, here are the pieces i have from them:
2x- TKHF-30-2-1365 (about 50in travel) X-Axis Support (DryLin T)

2x- HTS- (30mm Shafting) and the travel for both should be 1220mm. (X,Y)

1x- HTS- (30mm Shafting) and the travel should be 430mm. (Z)

Dude; Did you check on the price for one of those machines? $79,900 to 111,000. Unless you have deep pockets, I don't think your going to get anything close to that. But good luck

[balsaman]

Good effort! It won't cut steel. Aluminum will be ok. Keep up with any progress reports.

Eric

[MetalCNCing]

I think I would be able to cut/mill steel but at very slow feed rates, I have almost exactly the same parts they use on the Haas Machine which i had the link to, Well right now the only piece i am looking for is an Aluminum plate 60.5" by 70" by 1.50" 6061, 6063, or 7075-T651. I am located in CA, Could you guys please advise!! I couldnt find one place out of 30 that had it!!

[MetalCNCing]

Well, I havent been here in a while...my CNC is finally getting somewhere...I finally figured it out...I have a 72.00" by 60.50" by 1.50" 6061 Aluminum plate as my base, I'm using steel I-Beams (W8x36lb and W12x50lb) as my support for everything as legs and support for Y and Z Axis...I am going to use 170 In-Lb servo's @ 240-volts, and I have an 11HP CRP/Perske router with an intelligent drive. I have attached some pics of the items that I have and the cad drawings of my CNC...most people on this site are building cheap little CNC's for small applications, I want to be able to machine mild steel at the least!!....Please advise what else i should consider, or what else i should add... I have an unlimited budget...I'm making this machine to see if i can do it...not that i need it, well I do, but not for production, just minor projects...

[MetalCNCing]

Is anyone going to help me, by giving me additional help??!!

Thanks...

[georgebarr]

My advice is to first build your CNC mill in CAD. I personally use SolidWorks. Any problems should be worked out in CAD. Also, design changes can be done many times in CAD. The amount of CAD time you spend will be small in comparison to the time spent building the actual CNC mill. This is how I did my frame which I plan to use to cut mild steel. After posting my pics of my CNC frame, some observed that the gantry will flex/warp and the frame will vibrate alot. I cannot imagine this happening since I am using mild steel square tubing measuring 3" x 3" x 0.25". This is very strong and heavy stuff.

[JFettig]

I dont know if those linear slides will hold up for that kind of machining. I think youll need some thk HSR/SHS style bearings and rails.

To cut steel, you need a low rpm spindle(300-2000rpm) and that spindle appears to be a high rpm spindle.

Jon