Need help to build my own CNC machine

[enixidfrag]

Ok so i really wanna build my own Laser Engraver (& hopefully cutter) CNC for as cheap as possible. I of course want it to be PC controlled.


So if anyone has info on the best/easiest one to make PLEASE help me out here.


PLEASE anyone that can help me and has info please just drop me the info.

[lamicron]

You can look for Mononeuron threads and read .
he had build a very nice machine.

[MonoNeuron]

Thanks Lamicron.
enixidfrag,

Mechanical -
I was going to suggest you check out the wood router forums first to get an idea of how to build a gantry style table which would be the most common type around.

Electronics -
Check out the stepper motor forums to get an idea of how to wire up the motors for the motion control and also the breakout boards that make wiring everything up easy.

Software -
Linkmotion can be found cheaply on eBay lately for around $495 USD ($1300 originally). You want a good software package to pulse the laser for engraving or different depths of cut and Linkmotion does this very well but has a little niggle in the software that can lock up the mouse occasionally but it doesn't stop the job from finishing. I have a few posts in the Linkmotion forums that outline a few things so read those as well.

Laser tubes -
Your choice here that will be dictated on how much you can afford. Most go with the glass tubes from China and there are heaps of suppliers of them but the forums will let you know the good ones, just be careful as some don't last very long.
I opted for an expensive ULS 30 watt laser that should last many years longer than the glass ones (I hope :-) ) as I had a bad experience with the glass tubes.

Mirrors-
Also your choice. I bought expensive gold mirrors for mine but they were a little small , 11mm, and I ended up trying out some first surface mirrors from a photocopier that work a treat. It would be good if someone could try them on a 60 watt or greater laser to see if they work and don't burn up but mine don't even get the slightest bit warm.

Lens-
Go for the ZnSe (Zinc Selenide) lenses as they pass the Co2 wavelength as well as the Red pointer wavelength. GaAs (Gallium Arsenide won't pass the red wavelength but is more wear resistant).

Anything else and you can ask for more info from anyone willing to help.
ALL the info is here on this Zone. You just need a bit of time and write the things down that you find interesting and also Bookmark the interesting pages as I guarantee you will come back to them at a later date.

Rich.