CNC Router
From MairasNetWiki
This page will document my CNC router project. (If I manage to update it more than a few times...)
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March 24, 2008
The big step: I put my money where my mouth is and ordered a 4-axis router driver and 4 stepper motors from hobbycnc.com. I am going to build a 3-axis CNC router (for now), but the 4th axis and motor were relatively cheap, so there goes.
I am going to build the router according to the instructions at the Build Your CNC web site, with some modifications.
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I really like your build so far. It looks very professional. I even liked the 3D with materials so you could get a real life look at it.
Keep it up. Ivan Irons CNC Router Information
March 25, 2008
Few notes after a few phone calls and a trip to some nearby hardware stores:
- the price of MDF is quite a bit more expensive here than in the USA. Patrick Hood-Daniel states the price of 3/4" board as 9 USD for a 1220x2440 mm (4x8 ft) board, while here the best quote for 19 mm (the same thickness) was 13 €/m2 for a whole, huge 1830x2750 mm (6x9 ft) board. I guess I'll need to actually make some plans instead of just going Patrick's route of buying more material as you go.
- Almost all of the routers were like mine, with integrated handles and guide mechanism. I'd need one with detachable frame. Have to keep looking.
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March 29, 2008
Apparently the 9 USD board was only 2x4 ft, making it not that much cheaper than the prices in Finland. Fair enough.
I've spent several days planning the router and going through Patrick's videos. The current setup is shown below. The design objectives are:
- Be able to fit a quarter plywood board (610x1220 mm) to the working area (but still as compact as possible)
- Tolerances small enough for PCB milling
- Be able to fit the router horizontally to use a manual rotary table
- Integrate a sturdy table with numerous attachment points (not shown yet) that doubles as a vacuum table
Let's see how it turns out...
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April 3, 2008
The design has been improved according to Patrick's and Juhana's suggestions. There is now a torque box for the y-axis. This should prevent both axial torsion and reduce gantry flexure along the axis (together with the heftier steel L-profile at the gantry wall). Inside the table, there are now more reinforcement struts. Furthermore, the table overall dimensions are already frustratingly large.
The electrical parts arrived yesterday. That was a super-fast delivery! Now I need to acquire a hefty transformer and put it together. I also hope to get to measure the MDF pieces soon.
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April 5, 2008
Juhana sent me a glimpse of how the the router would look in the future:
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April 10, 2008
Patrick gave me suggestions for improving the y- and z-axis rails. These are now incorporated. While not well shown, the rails are now laminated from two MDF pieces. In other news, the controller board is now soldered (albeit not tested) and the transformer is on its way. Next step is to plan the MDF cut layout and finally get to business!
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