CNC router - the ultimate DIY toy?
- Thread starter Billfort
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Billfort
Addicted Member
Thanks for the offer Kyle but I bought a junker 811 (bent flange) that I am going to cut up and measure. I'll be slicing the thing in half along the original welded seam, grinding out the vanes and digitizing it with a probe using the CNC router as the test table.
Yes, a little ambitious and getting comfortable with the 3D CAD software and conversion to G-code will be a real learning experience but what the hell, we need a new challenge.
Yes, a little ambitious and getting comfortable with the 3D CAD software and conversion to G-code will be a real learning experience but what the hell, we need a new challenge.
Impressed and Confused
Wow! What a great machine!
What is the functional difference between this and a vertical CNC milling machine, like a Bridgeport? I know that in this machine the part stays put while the head moves, and it's the opposite in the mill, but do they produce similar results?
Wow! What a great machine!
What is the functional difference between this and a vertical CNC milling machine, like a Bridgeport? I know that in this machine the part stays put while the head moves, and it's the opposite in the mill, but do they produce similar results?
Billfort
Addicted Member
In it's current form it can position the rotating cutter tip anywhere along 3 axis (width-length-height) over a tip point working area of 25"x50"x6" without repositioning the workpiece. By moving the part, width can increase to 27" and length becomes unlimited.
This was designed to allow us to add a 4th axis down the road that would be used for rotation, kinda like a big-ass CNC lathe where the part rotates slowly under the cutting tool. I wanted this option sooner than later (for round tractrix horns) but Larry told me to back off, he needs a working 3 axis machine FIRST to make the parts for the 4th axis
.
This was designed to allow us to add a 4th axis down the road that would be used for rotation, kinda like a big-ass CNC lathe where the part rotates slowly under the cutting tool. I wanted this option sooner than later (for round tractrix horns) but Larry told me to back off, he needs a working 3 axis machine FIRST to make the parts for the 4th axis
.
Inspiribomb
Enjoy the journey
Pretty cool, like a VMC (vertical machining center) with lots of X/Y travel, but the tool moves instead of the table. Are you planning to mainly do wood projects, or are you planning on trying some metal too? If you are going to try metal, I might be concerned with how solid the machine is and if it will chatter.
A fellow solidworks user, eh? Been using that program for 4 years, in fact, I started drawing my paintball gun. That program is incredibly powerful. Did you see the 3D Pioneer logo I busted out in about 5 minutes? Its posted somewhere here...
A fellow solidworks user, eh? Been using that program for 4 years, in fact, I started drawing my paintball gun. That program is incredibly powerful. Did you see the 3D Pioneer logo I busted out in about 5 minutes? Its posted somewhere here...
MarkAnderson
Addicted Member
Negotiableterms said:
Functional differences aside, it initially seemed to me that purchasing a used machining center might be more cost effective than building a three-axis machine from scratch (but then, given the extensive use of MDF and scrounged parts and the fact that labor costs are prolly not a factor, I guess not). Then it occurred to me that the whole DIY (which, I suspect, was kinda the point) aspect of it would be eliminated. As a fairly seasoned machine designer, myself, I have to offer my congrats on a very nice design.
BTW, I guess you can add me to the list of (somewhat) experienced SolidWorks users. Unfortunately, a recent career path change has forced me back to using the lowly Autocad 2000 :sigh: . For now, anyway. - Mark
Billfort
Addicted Member
I suppose there might be a used 3-axis machining center out there somewhere that could hit the wood working requirements we shot for here but I don't think it's going to come in under the maybe $1k spent so far but hey, I could be wrong.
And yes, the challenge to design something like this from scratch in Inventor, source the parts and actually build the damn thing from the ground up was definitely part of the appeal to Larry, he loves to be told he's nuts and CAN'T do something .
The biggest problem so far has been finding the time to get to the 'end' but this morning Larry came into work with a big s*** eating grin and a piece of wood with a few precise rectangles cut in it. He's got some issues to solve BUT he drew some geometry in Inventor, processed the drawing through some software to produce the CNC toolpath G-code and his machine cut those rectangles exactly as he wanted them with maybe .008" accuracy.
Pretty happy guy but I think he was hoping for better than .008" accuracy.
And yes, the challenge to design something like this from scratch in Inventor, source the parts and actually build the damn thing from the ground up was definitely part of the appeal to Larry, he loves to be told he's nuts and CAN'T do something
.The biggest problem so far has been finding the time to get to the 'end' but this morning Larry came into work with a big s*** eating grin and a piece of wood with a few precise rectangles cut in it. He's got some issues to solve BUT he drew some geometry in Inventor, processed the drawing through some software to produce the CNC toolpath G-code and his machine cut those rectangles exactly as he wanted them with maybe .008" accuracy.
Pretty happy guy but I think he was hoping for better than .008" accuracy.
loudsubz
Canuck eh!
Hey Billfort, what kind of integration did your friend used to monitor the routers movement and track it? or is it just the stepper motors run from the controller?
What kind of hardware / software integration did he use? Did he make his own controller or use a prefab device to plug into the comp and talk with the software?
Very cool.
What kind of hardware / software integration did he use? Did he make his own controller or use a prefab device to plug into the comp and talk with the software?
Very cool.
Billfort
Addicted Member
No feedback mechanism, just steppers running off the controller.
I can't remember the name of the controller software he is using but he's now moved up to Gecko boards which let him run the steppers faster - approx. 2 times the travel speed in all 3 axis. He is currently upgrading to precision linear bearings and aluminum gantry construction as he is not entirely happy with the level of flex (I am, he's nuts ).
He sourced the software and boards off the net, built his own controller cabinet and power supply. Everything is fabricated and designed from the ground up by him and his upgrade (the new gantry) parts are being fabricated on the router - accuracy and repeatability are in the neighborhood of +- .005 now and it actually does a nice job cutting aluminum.
I can't remember the name of the controller software he is using but he's now moved up to Gecko boards which let him run the steppers faster - approx. 2 times the travel speed in all 3 axis. He is currently upgrading to precision linear bearings and aluminum gantry construction as he is not entirely happy with the level of flex (I am, he's nuts
).He sourced the software and boards off the net, built his own controller cabinet and power supply. Everything is fabricated and designed from the ground up by him and his upgrade (the new gantry) parts are being fabricated on the router - accuracy and repeatability are in the neighborhood of +- .005 now and it actually does a nice job cutting aluminum.
bear-hifi
Well-Known Member
Billfort said:No feedback mechanism, just steppers running off the controller.
I can't remember the name of the controller software he is using but he's now moved up to Gecko boards which let him run the steppers faster - approx. 2 times the travel speed in all 3 axis. He is currently upgrading to precision linear bearings and aluminum gantry construction as he is not entirely happy with the level of flex (I am, he's nuts
He sourced the software and boards off the net, built his own controller cabinet and power supply. Everything is fabricated and designed from the ground up by him and his upgrade (the new gantry) parts are being fabricated on the router - accuracy and repeatability are in the neighborhood of +- .005 now and it actually does a nice job cutting aluminum.
Wow! .005 mm is more accurate than both of my Brown & Sharp CMMs… :jawdrop:
Billfort
Addicted Member
Not mm bear, .005", I'm too old to deal with that metric stuff.
I'm an IT manager for a sheet metal manufacturing company subs but kind of fell into that - came out the mechanical engineering side of the business. Larry is one of my programmers but again, came out of manufacturing, a CNC operator before I hired him but a killer programmer and designer.
I'm an IT manager for a sheet metal manufacturing company subs but kind of fell into that - came out the mechanical engineering side of the business. Larry is one of my programmers but again, came out of manufacturing, a CNC operator before I hired him but a killer programmer and designer.