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Homemade CNC router/printer
3

Homemade CNC router/printer

Homemade CNC router/printer

(OP)
Has anyone here built a home made CNC machine?

There's entirely too much information online to search thru.
Any starter tips or things to avoid?

My background is mechanical so the whole software and programming would be a challenge.

Cheers, MM

RE: Homemade CNC router/printer

2
I have a CNC lathe/mill combo with a 6dof tool post I have been scratching away at for a while.

http://www.cnccookbook.com has been a good resource for laying out your plans.

-I would start looking at CNC Cad / Cam programs right off the bat, or at least before you start doing your controls set up in matlab (highly recommended you set your controls systems up in simulink first, makes it a lot easier). I use Siemens NX, but there are free versions that exist - you want to set your control scheme up so the computer can choose all your tool pathing. No one likes hammering out G-code.

-Make your project evolving. For example, if you are doing a combo lathe/mill get the mill & tool holder working, then start cracking on the lathe.

-Texts can help get basic concepts down pat. I went back to my control systems, system dynamics, electronics, and machine design, and CAD/CAM/CAE texts a LOT.
-Control Systems Engineering by Nise
Principles of CAD, CAM, and CAE by Lee
Insert machine design text that I forget the title here
System Dynamics by Ogata

RE: Homemade CNC router/printer

One more note; if you have any friends that are into EE - ask to borrow their microprocessor texts. Designing your own chipsets is frustrating and hard work - but will give you the truly 'custom' built from scratch feel I think your going for!

RE: Homemade CNC router/printer

You might find it worthwhile to check these guys out : http://abcnc.de/
They do kitset systems that would give you a great start.

RE: Homemade CNC router/printer

do you want to push a cutting tool, or move a laser head, or 3D printing head?
I keep trying to sell some CNC machine leftovers, and haven't gotten any nibbles.

Jay Maechtlen
http://www.laserpubs.com/techcomm

RE: Homemade CNC router/printer

(OP)
Hi Jay,

Eventually I would like to add a laser and 3D head, but for the time being I would get more use out of a router.
Some of the information I have come across claims that CNC routers make for poor lasers and 3D printers because they're low speed and high torque.
To be honest, I would like the extra capabilities regardless of speed as long as the resolution is adequate. I am still looking into different controller options so I can find one that will also do the laser and extruder with the same board.

RE: Homemade CNC router/printer

The Shapeoko 3 is a pretty capable CNC router kit for ~$1k if you're more interested in using the machine than in designing it from scratch.

RE: Homemade CNC router/printer

I presume the (tradeoffs? design factors?) include power, max velocity, torque multiplication, resulting inertia, and amount of money available.
Higher accel/decels and/or greater tool forces require bigger motor, which require more powerful drives, and stiffer/stronger structures.

If you don't need huge tool forces, a single system might be quick enough to do a good job with a laser.
Accel/decel may be more important than a super peak velocity.

food for thought.

Jay Maechtlen
http://www.laserpubs.com/techcomm

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