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Thread: My budget MDF CNC machine
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6th January 2012, 02:25 AM #1Intermediate Member
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My budget MDF CNC machine
Rather than pollute the "Projects" thread, I thought I'd start a separate topic and put up some pictures of my machine here.
First, a little info about the machine -
It is based on the book "Build Your Own CNC Router".
I followed the book mostly, with modifications to suit metric sizing and 18mm mdf instead of the 19mm used in the book.
For the electronics, I went with a package from Peter Homann's website.
I took my time building it, but unfortunately I didn't take any progress photos.
The hardest part for me was the electronics, as this is something I know nothing about!
After a few bumps along the way, I managed to get everything moving.
I use Mach3 as the controller loaded onto an old PC I had lying around.
I am using threaded rod for the Y & Z axes, but changed to a 16mm ballscrew and anti backlash nut from linear motions on Ebay for the X axis. This was due to a "whip" problem using the threaded rod over 1200mm long.
I used a cheap chopping board for the Y axis anti-backlash nut, and have found no requirement for one on the Z axis (gravity seems to take care of that).
The router was given to me. It has no markings on it, but looks to me by the colour like it may be a Makita? It is very loud, but has done a good job so far.
I have set up a wireless Playstation controller for convenient jogging - works well too!.
I have added a spoilboard to the top and skimmed it flat, then routed holes at 50mm spacing for me to use shelving support pins and wedges to fix my work in place. Used this method today and it worked well.
I have to say that overall I am impressed with the accuracy of this modest little machine
Cheers,
Paul
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6th January 2012 02:25 AM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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6th January 2012, 06:13 AM #2SENIOR MEMBER
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Well I'm no expert, but it looks great to me.
Russell.Pen Affair Craft Supplies - Cheapest Pearl Ex & Pemo Polymer Clay in Australia
http://craftsupplies.penaffair.com
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6th January 2012, 07:16 AM #3SENIOR MEMBER
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Mate that great! Well done. One day I'm going to have a go at building a CNC router table. Did you have a final costing on the electronics and materials?
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6th January 2012, 07:18 AM #4SENIOR MEMBER
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BTW.. The playstation controller idea sounds great!
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6th January 2012, 08:33 AM #5
nice
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6th January 2012, 09:13 AM #6Cliff.
If you find a post of mine that is missing a pic that you'd like to see, let me know & I'll see if I can find a copy.
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6th January 2012, 01:06 PM #7SENIOR MEMBER
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Nice clean build there Paul and nice clean shed too. lol. Should work wonders.
Daniel
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6th January 2012, 01:40 PM #8Senior Member
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Re: My budget MDF CNC machine
I wouldn't call it "modest". An awesome job - well done.
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6th January 2012, 02:11 PM #9Intermediate Member
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Thanks very much Russell.
Cheers Ben. You should give it a go. It was an enjoyable process and very rewarding when you actaully produce something. I could have gone cheaper on the electronics, but went with a kit that I could also use on an upgraded machine. Even still, the cost should be around $1000 (not including PC, Cad/Cam software and a router).
The PS controller was an idea I saw on the Mach3 forums I believe - it also works with an Xbox controller too!
Lol Thanks Daniel. It doesn't take long to make a mess though! I might have to consider adding a vacuum attachment at some stage.
Thanks Danny.
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16th February 2012, 01:17 PM #10
I built the same machine, about 20 months ago, and was very happy with it at the time. Due to ill health it did not get used in 2011, and I have started using it again this year, to cut the parts for its replacement.
There is a serious flaw in the design, that you should be aware of. The bearing trucks on the long axis place a large sideways load against the gantry sides. This causes the gantry sides to bulge out, and rhe bottom bearings lose contact with the rails. This causes the gantry to drop somewhat. This would not be a huge problem, except that the sides don't bulge consistently, which also causes one side to be lower than the other, which is a far greater problem.
The other major issue produced, is that the rotational forces on the z-axis, due to its weight, causes a slight rotation of the spindle. This means that the spindles rotates past perpendicular to the bed.
I would strongly reccomend that you fix a substantial stiffening rib to the outside of your gantry, to prevent the bending occuring. It should then all remain in in adjustment.Chris
========================================
Life isn't always fair
....................but it's better than the alternative.
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22nd February 2012, 02:38 AM #11Intermediate Member
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Hi Chris, thanks for the heads-up.
Glad to hear you've recovered from your illness and are back making chips
I'll check for signs of bowing in the gantry sides, although I can't say I have noticed any issues so far.
I did a levelling pass over the sacrificial board and it looked pretty even.
Cheers,
Paul
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