CNC Machine Hardware and Plans
These are my hand picked components and hardware for the perfect leap into this CNC process. You will also get the cut sheets and plans for cutting the necessary MDF pieces for a CNC design that can be made with conventional power and/or hand tools. Includes all of the hardware necessary to build the CNC router: Linear bearing angles (bored and tapped), cross dowels, couplings (1/4" to 1/2" on all three axes), bearings for the linear rails and lead screws (24 - 5/16" and 6 - 1/2") , and the nuts and bolts at various sizes. The lead screws and rails are not included. Now, go out and buy that $9.00 MDF and get started. This package is available now and shipping!
The size of this machine if built according to the measurements in the plans, will travel 40" in the x direction, 20" in the y direction and 5" in the z direction. Other table sizes are possible by altering the measurements in the plans and providing the necessary reinforcements. mechanical components include couplers.
This kit also contains many enhancements from that of the tutorial. The y-axis is appropriately reinforced to minimize any deflection. The x-axis is also well reinforced. Each piece of the kit is precisely cut. The Combo comes with all of the hardware needed for assembly, couplers, bearings and the plans for the MDF pieces. The ready made MDF pieces shown in this image is for illustrations purposes only.
Parts that you will need are the MDF sheets, aluminum or steel angles, lead screws, electronicsfor interfacing to the computer and software which can be gotten for free in many cases.
Parts that are included in the Hardware kit:
These items are offered to minimize the effort to purchase all of the hard to find components and the many types of fasteners.
Plans and Assembly DVD
Screws:
#8 or #10 Screws 2" in length- 12 1/4" diameter - Pan Head
1" - 12 1 1/2" - 6 2" - 20 3" - 8 1/4" Diameter - Angled Head 1" - 16 Bolts: 1/4" Diameter
1" - 101 1/2" - 62" - 28 5/16" - Diameter
3/4" - 24 Nuts: #8 or #10 - 36 1/4" - 30 5/16" - 24 1/2" - 15 (13 TPI Allthread Compatible, not ACME Precision) Cross dowels - 52 Mechanical: Items not Included: Other items that you will need to completely construct this CNC machine and make it work:
Computer of your choice that contains a parallel port Router of your choice Sheets of MDF for the structural parts Aluminum Angles for rails (.75"x.75"x.125"). Lead screws (1/2" allthread, or other of your choice). suggested lengths below:
X-Axis: ~52 InchesY-Axis: ~32 InchesZ-Axis: ~14 Inches Electronics
Related Tutorials
To Start: Basics and What You Should Know
A CNC machine is probably the most useful tool a hobbyist can own, but the price for a CNC machine on the market is way more than the average hobbyist is willing to spend. Each day I will add video tutorial steps to get you through the build with very basic tools, little knowledge of machinery, mechanics, or electronics; but I must warn you, these machines are inherently dangerous, so wear the proper protection and use common sense. At the very least, read the instruction and precautions on every tool you use. I am especially not responsible for relationships gone bad as a result of the obsession you are about to embark.
William L's Scratch Built CNC Machine
Here is a
scratch built machine (from the plans or
book) that exhibits great workmanship, but more importantly, how some of the construction of the CNC machine was done. William L. used sound techniques to make sure the machine would be constructed as intended, knowing that some of the machine would have various size differences within the sub assemblies that would make some of the measurements within the plans not work.
Primer on Homing and the Use of Limit Switches
I know, you are finished building the CNC machine, and now, you need to set up the limit switches and be able to home the machine. Argh, the concept of restricting the machine and making it know where it is standing seems like a serious challenge. Well, not really. I am going to demonstrate a few techniques on connecting switches and how to home the machine, but in a rather unique way. You will learn how to connect limit switches and home switches using two different circuit types, normally open (NO) and normally closed (NC). I will also demonstrate a method of homing that uses the end mill (bit) to find the home position. This is not meant to be a complete comprehensive tutorial on limit switches and homing the machine, but it will get you running.
Octavio's Metal CNC Machine
Octavio went out on a limb and created a metal machine with some very inventive components. Inspired by this website, he was able to get this design and construction going. The machine is truly an example of using components in the machine for efficiency and simplicity. The overall structure appears to be steel. He uses bearings with channels to serve as linear guides. The z-axis mechanism is reversed to enable longer travel. All of this is not the most interesting part. Octavio is a medical doctor. This goes to show that individuals of all backgrounds dabble with this technology. Take a close look at the bearings used to guide along the rail (U groove and V groove bearings work well for this type of linear rail mechanism). I know, you're saying that this method is used on other CNC machines. Sure, but he is positioning the bearings and using minimum hardware to serve multiple purposes. You can see that he is using the same shaft for each pair of bearings. The back bearings (the bearings to the right) glide horizontally along the y-axis and the front bearings serve the z-axis up and down movement. This linear motion mechanics for the y and z axes is very clever. Octavio is currently trying to reduce the gantry weight. He says that the z-axis alone is 50 pounds. He has a goal of 20 pounds by changing the metal to aluminum using stamped parts.
Jacob R.'s CNC Router
When I started this website, I though maybe I would get a few building this machine, and to the tee. My intention was to make it so that they can provide their own alterations and sizes. With Jacob's machine, the intent lives up to it's promise. I think, if we take all of the great enhancements from all of the builders you see on the list, we would have an even better machine. Jacob did similar enhancements to the bed of the machine, reinforcing it so it would not sag, but he did not stop there. This guy is a true modder. He salvaged a component from his router to serve as a clamp. He also enhanced the lead screw nut adapting a flange to secure to the transfer piece. He has also selflessly provided an
AutoCAD file to share with this community (with double rail x-axis modification).
Greg C's Machine and Example
Greg has produced an excellent CNC machine. This can be seen through the example that he provided me. Greg produced the machine "by the book", as they say. This demonstrates that the book readers are starting to enjoy their machines. This is an exciting time!! I received the pictures of this machine on February 17th, 2009.
CNC Panel Joinery from Make:
Here's a really useful article on CNC panel joinery methods by Make:. Most of the images show laser-cut pieces, but could definitely be adapted for use on a CNC router or machine. In some of the images, you'll notice there are sharp corners that would not be possible using a CNC machine. With a CNC machine, you would need to create overcuts to account for the thickness of the end mill. If you're having trouble figuring out how to fasten parts together in your designs, this article is definitely worth a look. Find the article
here.
Lucan's CNC Router
I was doing my usual research around the net, you know... to pass some time very late at night, and I came across a member of cnczone.com building one of Joe's CNC machines, and to my surprise, he was using the design from this site. I was very proud to say the least. This CNC router is setup very nicely, with a vacuum attachment and a few other interesting modifications. Lucan has also been cutting out an enormous amount of parts on this machine. He is in real production.
Toby V's CNC Machine and Process
Here is another excellent example of a customer putting together a CNC machine kit and revising/adding to fit his needs. Specifically, this is the blackToe version 4.0 CNC machine kit, put together by Toby, a Neuroscience Ph.D with a post Doctorate at Harvard focusing on electrophysiology of the biological neural network in the retna. He used this knowledge to create computational models of artificial neural networks to test new hypothesis. Now, he is mainly focusing on the business aspect with his current occupation and spending time at home with woodworking. With his knowledge and willingness to delve into the CNC world with my kit, I was, obviously overjoyed, at the opportunity to get feedback and see what additions and modifications he would make to the machine.
Alden G's CNC Machine and Narrative
I have seen many builds based on the step-by-step instructions on this site, but when I see the the DIY community start to mix the ideas of one CNC machine with another, I get really excited. To take a machine and introduce concepts from another machine, like timing belt mechanics, is clever and welcome. Alden also is very creative with where he positions the drivers.
Step 10: Gantry Sides
We are moving right along. We will be making the gantry sides in this video. The gantry is the part of the CNC Router that moves along the x-axis. That's what makes this machine a gantry style machine. The gantry allows the router to essentially float over the cutting surface. The gantry sides consists of two boards approximately 18" x 8" 8" linear slide bearings will also be built in a later video to be used in with these gantry sides. The linear slide bearings are longer than the other linear slide bearings on the y and z axes so the weight of the gantry can be supported. The gantry needs to carry the z-axis, router, and the y-axis with all support pieces. In addition, the force of the motors against the force that the bit and cutting imposes on the machine must be handled by the entire gantry.
Step 17: Y-Axis Motor Mount
We are down to the wire! For the structure of the machine, we only have the three motor mounts remaining. We have recently completed the last two screw assemblies (x and y). The machine now is stiff as an MDF board and won't move anymore. It was more fun without the screws, wasn't it. Now we need to add a method of spinning power to these screws. We can't just use our fingers to turn the screws, but we could attach steering wheels if you're looking for a manual routing machine. We won't be able to call it a CNC anymore, however.
Demonstration of Spoilboard Surfacing with an Onsrud Surfacing Cutter
The video below is a quick demo of us doing a bottom clearing on our CNC machine using our new Onsrud Spoilboard Surfacing Cutter. It's generally a good idea to resurface the spoilboard when you first set up your CNC machine. This will make sure the spoilboard surface is perfectly parallel with the X/Y motion of your machine. You should also resurface every so often as the spoilboard surface becomes more uneven over time. This is a better alternative to replacing the board every time it becomes worn down. More in-depth videos on this process later...
CNC Halftoning Tutorial
In my usual morning reading, I came across a post at
Evil Mad Scientist Labs showing off CNC halftones using ASCII art. I was compelled by one
link in this post showing a very creative alternative to the usual halftoning done by a CNC machine. The link provides the steps to achieve this effect using your CNC machine.
Alessandro's CNC Machine Build with Guitar Example
I have gotten a lot of requests asking, can this machine make a guitar? Alessandro created a 2nd generation CNC machine using this website as a guide and from the images he provided, I can say he was quite successful. Not only that, he also built his electronics from scratch and his wire management is absolutely fantastic.