Thread: CNC Router (Work in Progress)

Rod,

Looking forward to seeing some output from your machine.

Cheers,
Keith

When will you start accepting contract work???????

I will post some work hopefully in a couple of weeks when I have mastered (?) the software. Maybe longer as this is going to be a big learning curve as I have to learn how to use a CAD package as well as the CNC software.

I am afraid I am from the old school and still sketch things on paper and first impression of the CAD software has been a bit daunting. The terminology is just not making sense to me at the moment. I have a couple of friends who can use CAD so to run a trial on the machine I might get them to draw something and I'll use that.

Shame we can't upload Video because it is really fascinating seeing all the axis move at the same time. I will look into this when I run a trail on the weekend and see if I can't put it somewhere so you can see some movement.

Good work Rod.

Brian

Got it moving on the weekend. A mate came up and after about half an hour of setting up the software it was running. He did the setting up becuase it takes brains for that and he also took a video of the first movement and then of it doing a spiral design. If you watch closely the circles are line segments and the next couple we did were smoothed out to curves by increasing the resolution.

There was a bit of excitment so excuse the enthuisiasm and comments on the video. It does give a demonstration of the machine though and as I don't have a video camera it is probably the only film that will be taken.
The file is 8mb so it might take a while to download. I will remove it in a couple of days as it will kill my bandwidth.

The pencil will be replaced with a router once I can master the software.

CNC Router in Action

Rod,
Been watching your thread with interest.

Congratulations on "baby's first steps", I bet you are a proud dad.

All that remains now is to become confident with the software, add you router and make the dust fly.

A greenie on the way.

Kev M

Thanks Kev

There was a bit of excitement as it went first time without a hitch so you have to excuse the video. Paul come up with Baby's first steps which was rather clever becuase it has been my baby for the last four months and steps refers to the CNC technique of stepping the motors. There were also comments like Number 5 comes alive, etc. And all this was said on a Sunday before we had a drink. :eek:

I have number two and possibly number three machine on the drawing board. I have been busy buying up on ebay for three months and have got ballscrews and linear slides so the next lot will be quite a different construction. Maybe I will post a log of these machines during construction.
By the way there appears to be a lot of work out there for a machine like this. I have had enquiries from friends of friends for work so it might be a good little side business for somebody.

Next weekend I should have the router fitted but I am not keen on making dust until I understand the software. It is very easy to drive the Z axis into the table by incorrect coding.

Sorry but I have removed the video from the above post as it is the end of the month and I want some bandwidth next month.

Well I am pumped. The machine turned out better than I expected and with the trusty pencil attached as a makeshift router I am getting good results.
Speed is 900mm (about 35 inches) per minute which is not bad for first setup and having such a heavy gantry. I am running Mach3 software and I am very impressed with it.

I hope to improve the speed as I learn a bit more and develop the machine.
Photos are of finished machine and a sample of work. I have added knurled wheels to the motors, wiring, limit and home switches. I need to make a switch box with E stop and a mount for the monitor and ............

I will stop posting on this thread now as the build is complete. If anybody is thinking of building one of these then feel free to contact me as I think I have made all the mistakes you can. I have a lot of research material that I can pass on to others as well.

Ok so I lied the last post wasn't the last as I am back again.
I mounted the router last night and did a test tonight. Did a quick and dirty in Corel Draw and imported the dxf file to Mach3. Mach3 is the CNC software that drives the router and it converts the drawing to machine code. The spacing and depth of cut of the letters were not right but it does give a good example of what it can do.
Photo of router and test cut.

G'day mate. Had no idea what a CNC was before I stumbled on this thread. I withheld my comments because I didn't know what they are supposed to do. Now I know - brilliant. What an absolutely top notch job you've done. The build quality looks superb and you must be pretty chuffed. A greenie coming your way. I take back everyhting I ever said about sand gropers.
Cheers
Mike
PS: how much did it cost to build (or don't you want to be reminded?)?

Thanks Kev
I am blown away with these machines. I did not expect it to work so well first up and was really quite hesitant about firing it up. The mechanics are easy and you do not have to go to the detail I have to get a good result. There are machines made from MDF and allthread for under $500 that do a remarkable job. I'm a fussy sod so it has cost me three times that and about four months to build.

This machine will open up new doors for my woodworking. I can imagine things like a nice jewelery box with a carved message and personalised graphics.

If you had a stall at a market and most people being computer savy they could design their own and you could machine it in front of them. You would have a unique market and could charge appropriately.

As a fellow woodworker I would even talk to an Apple Eater.

congratulations
that is absolutely awsome
a great story of pushing the boundaries
i have always been curious about the possibilities with CNC machines but had never even thought anybody would take on such a complex project at home.
i would love to get in touch with you if i ever do try such a thing. i would like to take it on just for the challenge and a bit of a change from woodworking.

Originally Posted by graydog

a great story of pushing the boundaries

i have always been curious about the possibilities with CNC machines

i would love to get in touch with you if i ever do try such a thing. i would like to take it on just for the challenge and a bit of a change from woodworking.

Well that pretty well sums up how I viewed the project. I knew nothing when I started and only know a little bit more now. I do know some things that can't be done.

The machine has been developed since my last post and it now cuts at 1200mm per minute and 1800mm/minute on rapids. The computer has been mounted inside the cabinet with a pull out drawer for the monitor and keyboard.

I have also fitted an electrical panel with an Emergency Switch and would have liked to fit a Panic Button but they don't make one.

There is further work and tuning to be done so I am avoiding using it until it is finished. I do sneek the occassional job in and it blows me away everytime.

The potential and the accuracy of these machines is awesome and they are fascinating to watch. It happens faster than your mind can interpret what is going on. Sort of "what the ..........." oh yeah that is what it is doing.

You are welcome to contact me if you decide to have a serious go at a CNC machine.

Yes these things can be a hobby in themselves with lots to learn and so much to gain.