I will be starting work soon on my 1st CNC mill, and I'm in the design stage now.
My first question is as follows:
Are rails (for X/Y, possibly Z) made from square tubing (1"x1", either steel or aluminum) practical? I have yet to see much information or past builds using this method, so I'm assuming there's a reason.
Any input for a CNC-newb? My intention is for this first build to be smaller, work area of about 18"x18", definitely engraving and PCB isolation routing, and then eventually a 3D printer extruder. I already have a set of NEMA17 steppers, so I know they are small but again for my first one, I need to show my wife I can actually get something built before I spend a lot of money on a larger-scale version!
Here's what I'd mocked up already in AutoCad 2012...
My first question is as follows:
Are rails (for X/Y, possibly Z) made from square tubing (1"x1", either steel or aluminum) practical? I have yet to see much information or past builds using this method, so I'm assuming there's a reason.
Any input for a CNC-newb? My intention is for this first build to be smaller, work area of about 18"x18", definitely engraving and PCB isolation routing, and then eventually a 3D printer extruder. I already have a set of NEMA17 steppers, so I know they are small but again for my first one, I need to show my wife I can actually get something built before I spend a lot of money on a larger-scale version!
Here's what I'd mocked up already in AutoCad 2012...