Hi all,
this is my first post about my first build.
Firstly, is there somewhere on this site which has a list of jargon for CNC machines?
The biggest issue for me is going to be the cost. Obviously i want my build to be as accurate and stable as possible (who doesn't want that?) and i'd like it to be able to work on as many materials as possible (i'm a jack-of-all-trades inventor type). I am unemployed so the £100 i've spent on the materials for my framework is a big chunk of cash for me. Below i've described what i would like my build to turn out like but any advice on making it as cheaply as possible would be appreciated along with the advice i've asked for in certain areas. If i can use items in the build which may be 'sourced' from places that are unexpected, especially if they are free it would help a lot. My idea is to get my foot in the door of the CNC world so i can continue to improve on my machine as time goes on. I really don't want to be building my first CNC machine for months or even years and i'm looking at a total cost of £500 for this build. I could also buy secondhand parts for much cheapness :)
I am planning a build that looks similar to this...
![Click image for larger version.
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(thanks mikeschn for the image)
The only thing i am going to do differently regarding the actual framework is that the cutting table (the top half of the base above the z-axis rails) will be a rectangular box with internal supports to stiffen it up as much as possible and i'm planning on filling the internal spaces of the box with heavy duty plastic bags/freezer bags full of sand to add extra weight and hopefully deaden some of the sound produced when the machine is working.
The framework will be made mostly, if not completely, out of MDF which i have ordered along with a few bits and pieces i need to help me make it. The actual construction won't be a problem for me.
The problems i am going to have are about all of the other bits and pieces that go into making a CNC machine.
I was thinking of going with lead screws and supported roundbar rails on all 3 axis.
The next issue is whether to use stepper motors or servos (i don't understand the differences between them in respect of CNC machines, i.e. accuracy, load, power consumption, COST etc) so need advice on that.
Then comes the trickiest part, the router itself, the electronics to control everything and the software. I haven't got a clue about any of that.
Can anyone offer me advice on all of this or provide me with links to uber-cheap MDF builds that i could follow?
Thanks in advance for any help offered.
Cheers
NM
this is my first post about my first build.
Firstly, is there somewhere on this site which has a list of jargon for CNC machines?
The biggest issue for me is going to be the cost. Obviously i want my build to be as accurate and stable as possible (who doesn't want that?) and i'd like it to be able to work on as many materials as possible (i'm a jack-of-all-trades inventor type). I am unemployed so the £100 i've spent on the materials for my framework is a big chunk of cash for me. Below i've described what i would like my build to turn out like but any advice on making it as cheaply as possible would be appreciated along with the advice i've asked for in certain areas. If i can use items in the build which may be 'sourced' from places that are unexpected, especially if they are free it would help a lot. My idea is to get my foot in the door of the CNC world so i can continue to improve on my machine as time goes on. I really don't want to be building my first CNC machine for months or even years and i'm looking at a total cost of £500 for this build. I could also buy secondhand parts for much cheapness :)
I am planning a build that looks similar to this...
(thanks mikeschn for the image)
The only thing i am going to do differently regarding the actual framework is that the cutting table (the top half of the base above the z-axis rails) will be a rectangular box with internal supports to stiffen it up as much as possible and i'm planning on filling the internal spaces of the box with heavy duty plastic bags/freezer bags full of sand to add extra weight and hopefully deaden some of the sound produced when the machine is working.
The framework will be made mostly, if not completely, out of MDF which i have ordered along with a few bits and pieces i need to help me make it. The actual construction won't be a problem for me.
The problems i am going to have are about all of the other bits and pieces that go into making a CNC machine.
I was thinking of going with lead screws and supported roundbar rails on all 3 axis.
The next issue is whether to use stepper motors or servos (i don't understand the differences between them in respect of CNC machines, i.e. accuracy, load, power consumption, COST etc) so need advice on that.
Then comes the trickiest part, the router itself, the electronics to control everything and the software. I haven't got a clue about any of that.
Can anyone offer me advice on all of this or provide me with links to uber-cheap MDF builds that i could follow?
Thanks in advance for any help offered.
Cheers
NM