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BuildingaCNCrouter byBenne(/member/Benne/)
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18Steps
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Related
ThisinstructablewillshowyouhowIbuiltmyCNCrouter.Ihopeyoucandraw
someinspirationfrommybuildandthatthisinstructablewillbehelpfulforyour

futureprojects.ThisinstructableshowsallthestepsIwentthroughindesigning
andbuildingthisCNCrouter.
ThemainthingIlikeaboutaCNCrouter,isthatitissoversatile.Youcanuseit
asadrillingmachine,arouter,asaw,amillandevenasalathe.Becausemy
workshopisverysmall(itsmorelikeashed),Ididnthavetheroomforallof
thesetools,butIstillwantedtobeabletomakeveryprecisepartsfordifferent
projects.ThatswhyIstartedtothinkaboutbuildingaCNCrouter.
AfterdoingsomeresearchIdecidedtodesignandbuildmyownmachine.It
tookmealmost6monthstobuildanddesignthemachinefromstarttofinish.
Beforestartingtheactualdesigningofthemachine,Ididalotofresearchonthe
web.Irecommendtakingalookatthefollowingwebsites:cncroutersource.com
(http://cncroutersource.com)andcnczone.com(http://cnczone.com).These
websiteswillprovideyouwithatonofinformationandanswermostofyour
questionsonCNCrelatedtopics.
Pleasenote:
IbuiltthisCNCrouterasfinalprojectforschool(alsocalled'profielwerkstuk'in
theNetherlands).WhenIstartedthebuild,Iwas16yearsoldandIfinishedit
whenIwas17.AlthoughIhavedoneacoupleoflargerprojectsinthepastand
havebeendoingFTCrobotics(http://USfirst.org)forthelastfewyears,Ididnt
havethatmuchexperiencewithbuildingCNCmachines.Thismachineactually
isthesecondCNCmachineIbuilt.Thefirstonewasawoodentestmachine,
whichIbuilttogainsomeexperienceandlearnmoreaboutCNCmachines.I
triedtobuildthismachineasgoodaspossible,withthetools,theknowledge
andthebudgetIhadatthetime.IthinkthemachinecameoutprettyniceandI
hopeyouenjoyreadingaboutit.

Step1:Thedesign

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(http://cdn.instructables.com/FW5/1S07/HMVJDDMG/FW51S07HMVJDDMG.LARGE.jpg)

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(http://cdn.instructables.com/FUO/NXIM/HMVJDDMI/FUONXIMHMVJDDMI.LARGE.jpg)
(http://cdn.instructables.com/FA2/43X0/HMVJDDMJ/FA243X0HMVJDDMJ.LARGE.jpg)
Beforestartingtobuildamachine,youwillalwayshavetomakesomesortofa
design.Sometimesitonlyhastobesomesketchesonapieceofpaper,butfor
thismachineamoreprecisethreedimensionaldrawingwasrequired.Imade
mydesignusinggooglesketchup(http://www.sketchup.com/).Googlesketchup
isafreecadprogram,whichyoucandownloadfromtheweb.Ifounditwasvery
easytoworkwith,althoughIhadneverworkedwithacadprogrambefore.You
wontbeabletodrawascomplicateddesignsasyoucan,byusingother
programslikeAutocad(http://www.autodesk.nl/products/autodeskautocad
lt/overview),butformypurposesitworkedjustfine.
Mymaingoalwastogetalloftheproperdimensionsformyparts,sothatI
couldorderthemonline.Iwantedtoseeifallofmypartsweregoingtofit
together.Becausethemachineconsistsofalotofmovingparts,Iwantedto
(http://cdn.instructables.com/FAF/2OXA/HMVJDDMK/FAF2OXAHMVJDDMK.LARGE.jpg)
makesurethatnothingwouldhitoneanotherwhilerunningthemachine.
WhenIstarteddesigningthemachineIalreadyhadsomepartslikethelinear
railsandtheballscrews.Iboughtthesefromsomeonewhohadbuiltatest
machineforhiswebshop.Iusedthesameelectronicsforthismachine,asI
usedforthewoodentestmachineIhadbuiltearlier.

Thesearethebasicdimensionsandpartsusedforthemachine:
Overalldimensions
X:1050mm
Y:840mm
Z:400mm
Travel
X:730mm
Y:650mm
Z:150mm
Motors:Nema233Nm
(https://impulsecnc.nl/nl/webshop/stappenmotoren/nema233nmdetail)
Controllers:LeadshineM542V2.0
(https://impulsecnc.nl/nl/webshop/stepperdriver/leadshinemdrivers/leadshine
m542v20detail)
Spindle:KressFME800(http://damencnc.com/nl/gereedschappen/kress/kress
freesmotoren/42)
Linearrails:X:Sbr20
Y/Z:Sbr16
Ballscrews:X/Y:16mm5mmpitch
Zaxisdrivescrew:M10withhomemadedelrinnut
Aluminumprofiles:30/60mmMisumi(http://us.misumiec.com/)100mm
Aluminumplates:15mmthick
CAD/CAMsoftware:CamBam
Controllersoftware:Mach3
Themachineisalmostentirelybuiltfrom15mmthickaluminumplateand
30x60mmaluminumextrusions.IbuiltthisCNCrouterusingaverylimited
amountoftools.ThemaintoolsIusedwereadrillpressandalathe.BecauseI
didnthavetherighttoolstocutthealuminumplatestosize,Idesignedthe
machinearoundstandardsizesandorderedtheplatesonline,alreadycutto
length.ThealuminumextrusionsIusedwerealsocuttolengthandIordered
thesefrommisumiEurope(http://www.misumieurope.com/start.aspx?
lang=EN).
WhendesigningaCNCrouteritishelpfultoaskyourselfacoupleofquestions.
HereyouwillfindthedesignprocessIwentthroughformyCNCrouter.

WhattypeofCNCrouterdoyouwanttobuild?
TherebasicallyaretwotypesofCNCrouters:themovingtabledesignandthe
movinggantrydesign.Movingtablestyledesignsareoftenusedforsmallersize
CNCrouters.Theyareeasiertoconstructandcanbebuiltmorerigidthana
movinggantrystylemachine.Thedownsideoflettingthetablemoveinsteadof
thegantry,isthattheoverallfootprintofthemachineinretrospecttoitscutting
envelope,isabouttwiceaslargeaswithamovinggantrydesign.Thereforeit
probablyisbettertomakeamovinggantrystylemachine,ifyourcutting
envelopeislargerthanabout30x30cm.BecauseIwantedtobuildamachine
withacuttingenvelopeofabout65x65cm,Iusedthemovinggantrystyle
design.
WhatdoyouwanttocutwiththeCNCrouter?
Thisdeterminesprettymucheveryanswertothequestionsbelow.Iwantedto
usethemachineforplywood,hardwoodsandplasticsmainly,butalsofor
aluminum.Ifyouwanttocutmaterialsharderthanaluminum,Irecommend
buildingaCNCmill(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milling_machine),insteadofa
router.
Whatmaterialwillyouusetoconstructthemachine?
Thisisdeterminedbythequestionabove.Agoodguidelineisthatthematerial
youusetoconstructthemachineisstrongerorasstrongasthematerialyou
wanttocut.Soifyouwanttocutaluminum,youshouldusealuminumoreven
steeltobuildthemachine.IhaveseenwoodenCNCroutersthatcancut
aluminum(youwillfindsomeonyoutube),butthiswentveryslowandthe
machineshavetobeverywellconstructed.BecauseIwantedtocutaluminum
withthisCNCrouter,Ibuiltitoutofaluminum.Icouldhaveusedsteel,butthisis
moredifficulttomachineandIdidnthavethepropertoolsforthat.
Whatlengthoftraveldoyouneedforeachaxis?
Myfirstintention,wastobuildaCNCrouterthatcouldhandlestandardsize
sheetgoods,likeplywoodandmdf.IntheNetherlandstheseare62x121cm.
SofortheYaxis,Iwantedatraveldistanceofatleast620mm.Themachineis
placedinasmallshedinmybackyard,withaverylimitedamountofspace.I
couldntmakethemachinetoobig,becausethenitwouldreallygetintheway
andtakeupallthespace.SotheXaxisonlyhas730mmoftravel.Thisisless
thanthefulllengthofasheetofplywood(1210mm),butIfiguredthatifIwanted
tomachinesomethingreallylargeacouldcutthefirstpart,thanslidethesheet
forwardandcutthelastpart.Byusingthistechniqueyoucancutpiecesthatare
muchlargerthanthenormalXtraveldistance.FortheZaxisIfiguredthat
150mmwouldbeenoughtopossiblyuseafourthaxisinthefuture.
Whattypeoflinearmotionwillyouuseforthemachine?
Therearemanyoptionstochoosefromforlinearmotion:drawerslides,ball
bearingsonVrail,Vgroovebearings,unsupportedroundlinearrail,fully
supportedroundlinearrailandprofilelinearrail.Thelinearmotionsystemyou
usewilltoalargeextentdeterminethecuttingqualitythatyoucanachieve.I
wouldrecommendgoingforthebestsystemthatyoucanafford.Afterdoing
someresearch,Ifoundthatfullysupportedlinearrailswouldbethebestoption,
thatIstillcouldafford.IfyousearchonebayforSBR12,SBR16orSBR20you
willfindanumberofdifferentsellersandsetstochoosefrom.Ifyouarebuilding
a3axisCNCrouter,youshouldbuyakitconsistingofthreesetsoflinearrails
andtwolinearbearingsperrail.Linearmotionbearings2008
(http://stores.ebay.com/linearmotionbearings/)isagoodebaystorefromChina,
thatsellsanumberofdifferentkits,evenwiththeballscrewsincluded.
Whatkindoflineardrivesystemwillyouuseforeachaxis?
Thebasicoptionstodriveeachaxisare:timingbelts,rackandpinionanddrive
screws.ForhomemadeCNCrouters,drivescrewsaremostcommonlyused.
Screwdrivesystemsworkbyplacingthestationarynutonthemovingpartofthe
machineandholdingthescrewinplaceonbothends.Thescrewgetsattached
tothemotor.Ifthemotorsstartstoturn,thenutwiththemovingpartofthe
machineattachedtoit,willmovealongthescrewandsetthemachineinmotion.
FortheXandYaxis,Iusedballscrews.Ballscrewsprovideverysmooth
motion,withvirtuallynobacklash.Backlashistheamountofplaybetweenthe
drivescrewandthenutandissomethingyoudontwantinaCNCrouter.Ifyou
wanttoreadmoreaboutbacklash,Irecommendtakingalookatthewebsite

cncroutersource.com(http://www.cncroutersource.com/precisionacme
leadscrewnut.html).
BallscrewsaremoreexpensivethanACMEscrews(whichareagood
alternative),butwillagainhighlyimprovethecuttingspeedandcuttingquality
youcanachieve.
FortheZaxisIusedhighqualitystainlesssteelM10threadedrod,witha
homemadedelrinnut.
Whattypeofdrivemotorandcontrollerareyougoingtouse?
Concerningthemotors,therearetwobasicoptions:servomotorsandstepper
motors.
ServomotorsaremainlyusedforhighendCNCroutersandareveryexpensive.
Theyuseencoderstoprovidepositionfeedbackandrequiremoreexpensive
controllers.SteppermotorsarewidelyusedonhomemadeCNCroutersand
therearemanydifferenttypesandsizes.Thesizeofthesteppermotoryou
needdependsonwhatyouwanttocut,howfastyouwanttocutit,whattypeof
lineardriveandmotioncomponentsyouuse,howlargethemachineisetc.I
used3Nmsteppermotorsformymachine,whichisprobablyoverkill.
Thecontrollermustsuitthemotorthatyoureusing.Youcanuseindividual
driversforeachmotor,asIdid,oryoucanbuya3or4axisdriverboard.You
canreadmoreabouttheelectronicsIusedinstep14.
Whattypeofspindlewillyouuse?
MosthomemadeCNCroutersuseastandardwoodworkingrouterortrimrouter
asthecuttingspindlefortheirmachine.Mineisnoexception.IusedaKress
router,whichisofslightlyhigherqualitythanstandardwoodrouters,andithasa
nice43mmclampingflange.Ifyouwanttocutalotofdifferentmaterials,some
sortofspeedcontrolcanbereallyhandy.TheKressrouterhasabuiltinspeed
controlbutyouwillfindthisonmostrouters.Ifyouaregoingtobedoingalotof
reallyheavycuttingyoumightwanttolookintoairorwatercooledspindles.You
canfindthese(http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?
_trksid=p2053587.m570.l1313.TR3.TRC1.A0.Xwatercooled
spindle&_nkw=watercooledspindle&_sacat=0&_from=R40)onebayaswell,but
theywillcostyoualotmorethanastandardrouter.TheyuseaVFDforspeed
controlandcanbemuchquieterthanstandardrouters.
WhatwillbethetotalcostsforthemachineanddoIwanttospendso
muchmoney?
IestimatedthetotalcostsforthisCNCroutertobearound1500euro.ACNC
routerisexpensivebutyoucansavealotofmoneybybuildingoneyourself.
AfterIhadfoundtheanswerstoallofthequestionsabove,Icameupwiththe
finaldesignformyCNCrouter.Asyoucansee,mydesignisnotextremely
detailed.Youwontseetheexactholelocationsonallofthepartsforinstance.It
isdifficulttodeterminehowmanyboltsyoushouldusetoputtwopieces
together,ifyouhaveneverheldthosepiecesinyourhandsbefore.
Forme,thisdesignwasenoughtogivemeagoodviewonhoweverythingwas
goingtoworkoutandwhichpartsIshouldorder.
Afterthedesignwascompletedandrejected/redesignedacoupleoftimes,I
couldstartorderingallofthepartsneeded.The30x60mmaluminumextrusions
andallofthealuminumplatesforthegantryandZaxiswhichIusedfortheX
axiswereprecuttolength.Ialsoorderedsomeheavydutyantivibration
levelingfeet.

CNCfiles(1)(1).skp

Step2:TheXaxis

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TheXaxisconsistsofabasicframe,madeoutof4piecesof30/60aluminum
extrusionsandtwo15mmthickendplates.Therearetwo6.8mmholesinthe
endoftheextrusions.IusedametaltaptocreateanM8threadontheinsides
oftheholes.AfterthatIcarefullylaidoutthepositionsfortheholesontheend
plates.Iactuallyclampedbothplatestogetherwhiledrilling,tomakesurethat
theholeswouldlineuponbothends.Ialsodrilledfourholesinthemiddleof
eachplatetomountthebearingblocks.Idrilledfourextraholesinoneofthe
sideplates,toattachthemotormount.
Imade4blockstoholdthelevelingfeet.Theblocksarepiecesofaluminum
(50x50x20).Iusedfourm5boltsandtnutstomountthemontotheouter
extrusions.
Thelinearrailsfitdirectlyontothealuminumextrusions.FortheXaxis,Iused
20mmdiameterrails.Thepredrilledholesinthebaseofthelinearrailslineup
exactlywiththeslotsinthealuminumextrusions.Icouldeasilymountthem
usingm5boltsandtnuts.

Step3:Gantrysideplates

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(http://cdn.instructables.com/F5D/T334/HMEXWYF1/F5DT334HMEXWYF1.LARGE.jpg)

Thegantrysideplatesarealmostidentical.Theonlydifferenceisthatoneof
themhasfourextraholesforattachingthemotormount.Thewholegantryis
madeoutof15mmthickaluminumplates.Drillingtheholesinthesideplates,
wasquitesimple.AlthoughIhadtoworkveryprecisely.Togettheholesin
exactlytherightspot,Icarefullymarkedtheirlocations,thenIusedacentre
punch,tocreatealittledivot.ThenIwentovertothedrillpressanduseda
centredrilltocreateaholethatguidestheactualdrillbit.ForthelargerholesI
usedasmallersizedrillbitfirstbeforeusingthefinalsizedrillbit.
(http://cdn.instructables.com/FXS/Y5OI/HMEXWYF5/FXSY5OIHMEXWYF5.LARGE.jpg)

BecauseofthewayIhaddesignedthegantry,Ihadtodrillholesintheend
facesofthesideplates.Ioriginallyplannedtodothisonthedrillpress,butthe
partsdidntfitunderit.SoIhadtocomeupwithadifferentsolution:usingthe
lathe.Imadeaspecialholderonthemovingcarriageofthelathe.Idrilledtwo
extraholesineachplate,tokeeptheminplaceonthecarriage.NowIcould
easilydrillperfectholesintheendsofthesideplates.Theonlythingthatwas
lefttodo,wastotaptheholesforanM8thread.

Step4:Assemblingthegantry

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Therestofthegantryismadethesamewayasthesideplates.Themost
difficultpartwasgettingthelinearrailslinedupcorrectly.Thelinearrailshadto
lineupwiththeedgeoftheplate.Whenmarkingtheexactholelocations,I
clampedtwopiecesofaluminumprofilestothesidesoftheplatetolineupthe
(http://cdn.instructables.com/F3D/9L7O/HMEXWYJY/F3D9L7OHMEXWYJY.LARGE.jpg)
rails.OnceIhadmarkedtheholelocations,IdrilledandtappedthemwithanM5
thread.Whenattachingtherailstothegantry,youhavetomakesurethatthe
distancebetweentherailsovertheentirelengthiscompletelyeven(therails
mustbeparallel).
(http://cdn.instructables.com/FKG/8763/HMEXWYK6/FKG8763HMEXWYK6.LARGE.jpg)

IusedthesamemethodfordrillingtheholesintheendfacesasIdidwiththe
sideplates.
Imadesomecornerbracketstoaddsomeextrastiffnesstotheassembly.On
thefinalassemblyofthemachine,Iactuallyleftthemout,becauseIdidntfelt
liketheywereneeded.
Theplateonthebottomofthegantryisverysimple.Idrilled6holestoattachit
tothesideplates.InthemiddleIhadtodrilltwoholesformountingthenut
holder.

Step5:Yaxiscarriage

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TheYaxiscarriageconsistsofoneplatewith8linearbearingsattachedtoit.
Drillingtheholeswasprettystraightforward,butagainithadtobeveryprecise.
BoththelinearbearingsfortheYaxisandtheZaxisgetattachedtothisplate.
Becausethebearingsaresoclosetogether,eventheslightestmisalignment
causesittojam.Imadetheholesonly0.2mmoversized,butIhadtodrillthem
outto0.5mmtoalignthebearingscorrectly.Ihadtodoabitoftweakingtoget
thecarriagetoslideeasilyfromonesidetotheother.Boththerailsandthe
bearingsneededtobeadjusted.Iusedhighqualitydigitalcalliperstoalignthem
asgoodaspossible.WhenIhadmadethedrivenutmountfortheYaxis,I
drilledtwoextraholesintheplatetoattachit.Ialsotriedtoalignthebearingsfor
theZaxisasgoodaspossible,butIstillhadtoadjustthemwhenIgottherest
oftheZaxisfinished.

Step6:Zaxis

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ThelinearrailsoftheZaxisgetattachedtothemovingpartoftheZaxis
assembly.Therailsneededtobeoffsetafewmillimetersfromtheedgeofthe
plate.IusedthesamemethodasIdidfortheYaxis,toalignthem.Ifoundtwo
piecesofplastic,ofjusttherightthickness,whichIcoulduseasspacers.Iknew
theedgesofthealuminumplatewereparallel,soIclampedtwopiecesof
(http://cdn.instructables.com/FLL/J697/HMVJCIYH/FLLJ697HMVJCIYH.LARGE.jpg)
aluminumtotheedgeoftheplateandaddedthepiecesofplastictospacethe
railsoutfromtheedge.OnceIhadmarkedtheholelocations,Ijustdrilledand
tappedthemagain.Makesurethatyoumarkwherethepiecesgo,sothatthe
(http://cdn.instructables.com/FYL/41HR/HMVJCIYR/FYL41HRHMVJCIYR.LARGE.jpg)
holesstilllineupwhenyouputeverythingbacktogether.
TomountthetopplatetotheZaxisassembly,Idrilledandtappedthreeholes
intheendoftheroutermountingplate.Ididthiswiththesamesetuponthe
(http://cdn.instructables.com/F8V/1V9L/HMVJCKFH/F8V1V9LHMVJCKFH.LARGE.jpg)
latheasIdidfortheYaxisplates.IhadoriginallyplannedtoattachtheZaxis
steppermotordirectlytothetopplate.SoItriedtomillsomeslotsinthetop
platetoattachthesteppermotor.Thisdidntworkoutsowell,becauseIdidnt
haveapropermillingsetup.SoIcutoffthepartwiththeslotsandfabricateda
differentmotormountoutofplastic(seestep12).
Ialsomadetwobearingblocksoutofthesameplasticmaterial,whichgot
attachedtothetopplateaswell.Thedrivescrewisapieceofstainlesssteel
threadedrod(M10).Thedrivescrewisclampedbetweenthetwobearingswith
twonuts.IdrilledandtappedthetimingpulleyforanM10threadandjust
screweditontothetoppartofthedrivescrew.Itisheldinplacebythreeset
screws.ThedelrindrivenutgetsattachedtotheYaxiscarriage(seestep10).
TheroutermountwaspremadeandIordereditfromdamencnc.com
(http://damencnc.com/nl/gereedschappen/kress/kressfreesmotoren/147).It
hasa43mmclampingring,whichfitstheKressrouterthatIamusing.

Step7:Timingbeltsandpulleys

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FR8/OSO4/HK48339G/FR8OSO4HK48339G.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FQL/OMY6/HMVJCLBZ/FQLOMY6HMVJCLBZ.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FVT/52YC/HMVJCLC4/FVT52YCHMVJCLC4.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F7V/T385/HMVJCLC1/F7VT385HMVJCLC1.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F4B/UDL8/HK4833AG/F4BUDL8HK4833AG.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FYX/QATU/HMVJCLC9/FYXQATUHMVJCLC9.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FNT/O6Y4/HMVJCLCF/FNTO6Y4HMVJCLCF.LARGE.jpg)

Ididnotwantthemotorstobestickingoutofthemachine.Becausethiswould
increasetheoverallsizeofthemachinebyabout15cmineachaxis.Normally
youwouldmountthemotorsontheoutsideofthemachineusingaspecial
motormountorstandoffs.Thiswayyoucancouplethemotorsdirectlytothe

ballscrewswithaflexiblecouplerofsomesort.ThisishowIdiditonthefirst
woodenprototypemachineIbuilt.Formostpeoplethiswillprobablyworkout
justfine.ButwhatIfoundwas,thatbecausethemachinewasplacedinavery
smallshop,themotorswouldreallygetintheway.Becausetheyweresticking
outbyalmost20cm(motorstandoffs)Iquitefrequentlywouldbumpagainst
them.
ThatiswhyIplacedthemotorsontheinsideofthenewmachine.BydoingthisI
couldnotdirectlycouplethemotorstotheballscrews,butIhadtouseatiming
beltandpulleys.
Iorderedthetimingbeltsandpulleysfrombeltingonline.co.uk
(http://beltingonline.co.uk/).Theyhaveabigvarietyoftypesandsizes.Iused9
mmwideHTD5beltsandpulleys.Whenusingabeltdrivetoconnectyourmotor
tothedrivescrew,youcanuseagearreduction.Byusingasmallergearonthe
motoryoucanusesmallermotorsandstillgetthesametorque(althoughyou
willofcourselosespeed).BecausemymotorswereprettylargeIdidnotneed
anygearreductiontogetmorepower.
TosavesomemoneyIorderedthetimingpulleyswithouttheholesforthe
setscrewsandwithonlyapilotholeinthecentre.Iusedthelathetodrilloutthe
boretothecorrectsize.Fordrillingtheholesforthesetscrews,Imadealittlejig
outofsomesteelhexagonalbarusingthelatheandthedrillpress.

Step8:Motormounts

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FU9/S6AQ/HLR2L3BZ/FU9S6AQHLR2L3BZ.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F6U/PRI7/HLR2L3DB/F6UPRI7HLR2L3DB.LARGE.jpg)

Themotormountsaremadefrompiecesofaluminumtubing.Minewerepre
(http://cdn.instructables.com/FWT/790B/HLSH5BGC/FWT790BHLSH5BGC.LARGE.jpg)
cuttolengthwhenIorderedthem,butyoucanalsouseapieceofsteeltubing
andcutitintosquarepieces.ThemotormountsfortheXandtheYaxis,had
tobeabletoslideinandout,totensionthetimingbelts.Ifyouuseanormal
(http://cdn.instructables.com/F7M/BU0K/HQQLO4QD/F7MBU0KHQQLO4QD.LARGE.jpg)
couplertoconnectyoursteppermotors,Irecommendmakingorbuyingsome
standoffs.Iusedthelathetomaketheslotsandtodrillalargeholeinoneface
ofthemount,butyoucouldalsodothisonanormaldrillpress.
Istartedbymakingalargeholeinonesideofthemountwithaholesaw.This
allowsthemotortositflushwiththesurfaceanditalsomakessuretheshaftis
centered.ThemotorisfastenedtothemountwithfourM5bolts.Imadefour
slots,intheothersideofthemount,toallowittoslideinandout.Iclampedthe
pieceonaspeciallatheattachmenttomillthefourslots.

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FGC/R4EH/HQQLO4R4/FGCR4EHHQQLO4R4.LARGE.jpg)

Step9:Bearingblocks

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FXT/ZGKS/HLZRQS49/FXTZGKSHLZRQS49.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FNV/DC3F/HLZRQS4B/FNVDC3FHLZRQS4B.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FGZ/WYR3/HLZRQS4D/FGZWYR3HLZRQS4D.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F5V/BPZ2/HLZRQS4C/F5VBPZ2HLZRQS4C.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FVA/B6W7/HLZRQS4A/FVAB6W7HLZRQS4A.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FY3/G12T/HLZRQS4E/FY3G12THLZRQS4E.LARGE.jpg)
(http://cdn.instructables.com/F9C/ACV3/HLZRQS4F/F9CACV3HLZRQS4F.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FOG/DEVZ/HLZRQS4I/FOGDEVZHLZRQS4I.LARGE.jpg)

ThebearingblocksfortheXandtheYaxisaremadefrom50mmaluminum
roundbarstock.Icutofffourequalslabs,each15mmthick.Ithenfacedoff
eachsideoftheblanksonthelathe.Aftermarkinganddrillingthefourmounting
holes,Iusedthelatheagaintodrilloutalargeholeinthecentreoftheblank.I
thenmadethecavityforthebearingtositin.Thebearingshavetobepressedin
andtheblocksgetboltedontotheendandsideplates.Idrilledandtappeda
holeintheendoftheballscrewstoholdtheminplace.Byinsertingabolt,I
couldtightenthemagainsttheangularcontactbearings.Theendoftheball
screwwasturneddownonthelatheto11mm.Thisisthepartwerethetiming
pulleygetsattachedto.Theveryendoftheballscrewwasturneddownalittle
bitfurtherto10mm,sothatitcouldbepressedontothebearing.Onthefloating
endoftheballscrews,Ijustusedstandardballbearings.

Step10:Zaxisdrivenutmount

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F0N/LHKP/HMMF7UU9/F0NLHKPHMMF7UU9.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F75/2MYY/HMMF7UUB/F752MYYHMMF7UUB.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F24/FA6M/HMMF7UUD/F24FA6MHMMF7UUD.LARGE.jpg)

IdidntuseaballscrewfortheZaxis.InsteadIusedstandard,buthighquality
(http://cdn.instructables.com/FYH/FOYM/HMMF7UUC/FYHFOYMHMMF7UUC.LARGE.jpg)
M10threadedrod.Imadeanutoutofapieceofdelrin.Delrinisaverygood
materialforthispurpose,becauseitisselflubricatinganditwontwearoutover
time.Ifyouuseagoodqualitytaptomakethethreadsinthenut,thebacklash
willbeveryminimal(Ihaventnoticedany).InsidetheZaxisassembly,there
(http://cdn.instructables.com/FJE/B1XB/HMMF7UUF/FJEB1XBHMMF7UUF.LARGE.jpg)
wasverylittleroomtomountthenut.Andsincemyhomemadenutwasround,I
neededtomakeaspecialmount.Themountconsistsoftwopiecesof12mm
acrylic.IwasabletousethehomemadeCNCrouterofmyschoolteacher,to
maketheseparts.Theroundnutfitsverysnugglyinsidethepiecesofacrylic
andisheldinplacebyasmallbolt.Theboltkeepsthenutfromspinninginside
themount.Idrilledandtappedtwoholesinthelittlefeetoftheholders,tobe
abletomountittotheYaxiscarriage
(http://cdn.instructables.com/FO7/Q5D8/HMMF7UUG/FO7Q5D8HMMF7UUG.LARGE.jpg)

Step11:XandYaxisdrivenutmount

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FNH/327B/HMMF7UZI/FNH327BHMMF7UZI.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F61/HBNB/HMMF7UZJ/F61HBNBHMMF7UZJ.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F6H/E1T3/HMVJDJKQ/F6HE1T3HMVJDJKQ.LARGE.jpg)

FortheXandtheYaxis,Imadeadifferentdrivenutmountoutofapieceof
aluminum.Theballscrewnutshavetwosmallflangesononeside,withthree
holesinthem.Iusedoneoftheholesoneachsidetoattachthenuttothe
holder.Theholderismadefromapieceofaluminumandismachinedonthe
lathe.BecauseIdidnthaveamill,Iusedthelathewithafourjawchuck.These
pieceshavetobemachinedveryprecisely.Onceyouhaveattachedthenutsto
thegantryandYaxiscarriage,youshouldbeabletomovethesepartseasily
fromonesidetotheother,byturningtheballscrewsbyhand.Ifthedimensions
(http://cdn.instructables.com/F6D/2O9F/HMVJDJKR/F6D2O9FHMVJDJKR.LARGE.jpg)
oftheholdersareincorrect,thenutwillgetjammed,andyouwontbeableto
turntheballscrewbyhandanymore.

Step12:Zaxismotormount

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FDS/EAUT/HM8DD6MW/FDSEAUTHM8DD6MW.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FQ7/RE5E/HMMF7V1N/FQ7RE5EHMMF7V1N.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FJQ/5QKM/HMMF7V1U/FJQ5QKMHMMF7V1U.LARGE.jpg)

TheZaxismotormountisdifferentfromtheothers.Itismadefrom12mm
acrylicandwasalsocutwiththehomemadeCNCrouterfrommyteacher.Ihad
originallyplannedtomakethemountoutofaplateofaluminum,butmachining
thatwastoodifficult.Thebelttensioncanbeadjustedbylooseningthetwobolts
ontopandslidingthewholemotormountassembly.The12mmacrylicworks
justfinefornow,butImightreplaceitwithapieceofaluminuminthefuture.I
foundoutthatwhenIwastensioningthebelt,theacrylicplatewouldbendalittle
bit.
(http://cdn.instructables.com/FB9/RT5S/HMVJDJMN/FB9RT5SHMVJDJMN.LARGE.jpg)

Step13:Thecuttingbed

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FD2/BQWO/HLSH5BC0/FD2BQWOHLSH5BC0.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F1M/9I1Q/HLSH5BCA/F1M9I1QHLSH5BCA.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F1F/KJMP/HLSH5BC2/F1FKJMPHLSH5BC2.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F30/WQCK/HLSH5BC1/F30WQCKHLSH5BC1.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FQF/DIKL/HLSH5BC3/FQFDIKLHLSH5BC3.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F32/TFQA/HLSH5BC6/F32TFQAHLSH5BC6.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FNW/RCWW/HLSH5BC5/FNWRCWWHLSH5BC5.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FPH/EANQ/HLSH5BC4/FPHEANQHLSH5BC4.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FWO/PBLM/HLSH5BC9/FWOPBLMHLSH5BC9.LARGE.jpg)

ThefinalpartIhadtomakeforthemachinewasthecuttingbed.Thecutting
bedisaveryimportantpartofthemachine,andoftenoverlooked.Thereare
manydifferenttypesofcuttingbeds.Examplesare:tslottabletop,perforated
tabletop,vacuumtableoryoucouldjustuseadisposabletabletopandscrew
(http://cdn.instructables.com/FD6/95ZK/HLSH5BC8/FD695ZKHLSH5BC8.LARGE.jpg)
yourstockrightontothetable.Analuminumtslottabletopwouldprobablybe
thebest,butitwillcostyouafewhundreddollars,dependingonthesizeofyour
machine.Ichoosetousetheperforatedtabletop,becauseitfittedwithinmy
budgetandIwouldstillhavelotsofclampingoptions.
(http://cdn.instructables.com/F24/2ZXI/HLSH5BCB/F242ZXIHLSH5BCB.LARGE.jpg)

Thecuttingbedformymachine,ismadefroman18mmthickpieceofbirch
plywood.IfasteneditwithM5boltsandtslotnutstothealuminumextrusions.
Iboughtabout150M8hexagonalnutsforabout4dollars.UsingaCAD
program,Idrewhexagonalshapesinagridwithaholeinthemiddle.ThenI
usedthemachinetocutoutallofthepocketsforthenuts.Insteadofregular
nutsyoucouldalsouseTnuts,butthenyouwouldhavetoflipthetabletopover
toinsertthem.Anotherproblemyoucanhaveisthattheyfallout.
Ontopofthepieceofbirchplywood,Iinstalledapieceof25mmthickMDF.This
isthedisposablesurface.Iusedalargerrouterbit,tocutholesthroughboth
pieces.Theholeslineupexactlywiththecentreofthehexagonalshapescut
earlier.ThenIunscrewedthepieceofmdfandinstalledallofthenutsinthe
pieceofplywood.Imadetheholesslightlyundersized,soIhadtousea
hammertopoundthemin.ThenIreinstalledtheMDFsurfaceandcheckedif
thealignmentwasstillcorrect.
Ialsoflattenedthetabletoptoensurethatthesurfacewasparalleltothexand
theyaxisandperfectlyflat.

Step14:Theelectronics

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FIK/7JB6/HMVJCLDI/FIK7JB6HMVJCLDI.LARGE.jpg)

Theelectronicsformymachineconsistofthefollowingcomponents:
Mainpowersupply48VDC6,6Amp
3driversLeadshineM542V2.0
3steppermotors3NmhybridNema23
Breakoutboard
Relay25A,230VACoutput,432VDCinput
Mainpowerswitch
Powersupplyforbreakoutboard5VDC
Powersupplyforcoolingfans12VDC
2coolingfans(80mm)
2poweroutletsforKressrouterandshopvac
Estopstillneedstobeinstalled
Limitswitchesstillneedtobeinstalled

Ifyoudontwanttospendalotofmoneyonelectronicsyoucanbuyakitfrom
ebay.Therearealotofdifferentsellerswithpricesinthe200400dollarrange.
Beforeorderingakityoushouldthinkaboutwhatsizesteppersyouneed.Iyou
arebuildingasmallmachineforcuttingwoodandplasticsonly270ozinor1.9
Nmmotorswillgiveyouplentyofpower.Ichoose3Nmmotors,becausethe
machineitselfisquitelargeandheavyandIplannedonmachiningsomeharder
materialslikealuminuminthefuture.
Ifyourmotorsarenttoolargeyoucanusea3axisdriverboard,althoughitis
bettertouseindividualdrivers.Individualdriverscanhandlemoreampsand
featuremicrostepping.Theyaremorereliableandwillgiveyoubetterresults.
ThedriversIuseactuallycamewiththekitIordered.Theycanhandle4,2amps
maxandupto125microsteps.
Themainpowersupplyisconnectedtothedriverswith14gaugewire,whichis
mainlyusedinRCairplanes.Thesewiresareveryflexible,butofhighquality
andcanhandleplentyofamps.The5VDCpowersupplyisconnectedtothe
mainpowerinlet.Forthecoolingfans,Iinstalledapoweroutletinsideofthe
enclosure,sothatIcoulduseastandard12Vwalladaptertopowerthem.The
mainpowergetsswitchedonandoffbyalargepowerswitch.
The25Arelayiscontrolledbythecomputerthroughthebreakoutboard.The
inputterminalsoftherelayareconnectedtotheoutputterminalsofthe
breakoutboard.Therelayisconnectedtotwopoweroutlets,whichpowerthe
Kressrouterandshopvactosuckuptheshavings.WhentheGcodeendswith
thecommandM05,themachinewillautomaticallyswitchofboththeshopvac
andtherouter.ToswitchthemonyoucaneitherpressF5orusetheGcode

commandM03.

Step15:Electronicsenclosure

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F5P/1AE1/HMVJCKSZ/F5P1AE1HMVJCKSZ.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FAT/BKLU/HMVJCKTN/FATBKLUHMVJCKTN.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FGR/X8AR/HMVJCKTA/FGRX8ARHMVJCKTA.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F60/RM2E/HMVJCKTI/F60RM2EHMVJCKTI.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FF2/ITGV/HMVJCKTD/FF2ITGVHMVJCKTD.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F4Q/9HCL/HMVJCKT9/F4Q9HCLHMVJCKT9.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F2W/E6A3/HMVJCKTM/F2WE6A3HMVJCKTM.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FYH/J0ZG/HMVJCKSJ/FYHJ0ZGHMVJCKSJ.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FLC/FSHJ/HMVJCKS7/FLCFSHJHMVJCKS7.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FIM/FPJY/HMVJCKSO/FIMFPJYHMVJCKSO.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FMP/3XNS/HMVJCKSC/FMP3XNSHMVJCKSC.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FCB/J1RF/HMVJCL44/FCBJ1RFHMVJCL44.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FL7/4OWW/HMVJCKS9/FL74OWWHMVJCKS9.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FFK/N5PW/HMVJCKSA/FFKN5PWHMVJCKSA.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F7X/9OMJ/HMVJCL46/F7X9OMJHMVJCL46.LARGE.jpg)

SinceItemporarilymountedtheelectronicsonapieceofwood,totestthe
machine,Istillhadtomakeagoodenclosure.Idrewouttheroughdimensions
andplacesforallofthecomponentsonapieceofpaper.Itriedtoarrangethem
insuchawaythatIcouldeasilygettoalloftheterminalstoinstallthewires.I
(http://cdn.instructables.com/FLQ/GAQZ/HMVJCL41/FLQGAQZHMVJCL41.LARGE.jpg)
alsomadesurethatIwouldgetasufficientairflowthroughtheenclosure.Thisis
veryimportantsincethesteppercontrollerscangetquitewarm.
Allofthecablescanbeconnectedinthebackoftheenclosure.Iusedspecial4
(http://cdn.instructables.com/F6F/4WE0/HMVJCL53/F6F4WE0HMVJCL53.LARGE.jpg)
wireplugs,becauseIwantedtobeabletodisconnecttheelectronicsfromthe
machine,withouthavingtounscrewanyofthewireterminals.Ialsoinstalled
twopoweroutletstoprovidepowertothespindleandashopvac.Thepower
outletsareconnectedtotherelaytoswitchtherouteronandoffautomaticallyin
Mach3.Imountedalargepowerswitchonthefrontoftheenclosure.
OnceIgotallofthecomponentsarrangedthewayIwanted,Idesignedallthe
piecestomaketheenclosurewithaCADprogram.IthenusedtheCNC
machineitselftocutoutallofthesidesandthebase.Imadealidwithapieceof
plexiglasinthemiddle.Itheninstalledallthecomponentsandtriedtokeepthe
wiringascleanaspossible.

Step16:CNCsoftware

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FBI/5FHB/HMVJDJSZ/FBI5FHBHMVJDJSZ.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FSH/BE8S/HMVJDJSV/FSHBE8SHMVJDJSV.LARGE.jpg)

TocontrolaCNCrouter,youneed3differenttypesofsoftware.ACAD
program,tocreateadrawing.ACAMprogramtocreatethetoolpathsand
outputtheGcode.AndacontrollerprogramwhichtranslatestheGcodeand
controlstherouter.IamusingCamBamtocreatemostofmydrawingsand
createthetoolpaths.CamBamisasimpleprogramandisveryeasytowork
with.IthassomebasicCADfunctionalities,soformostprojectsyoudontneed
adifferentCADprogram.BeforeCamBamcancreatethetoolpaths,youneedto
setacoupleofparameters.Examplesare:thediameterofthetoolthatyoure
using,thecuttingdepth,depthperpass,cuttingspeedetc.Whenyouhave
madethetoolpaths,youcanoutputtheGcode.TheGcodeisthemachining
language,thattellsthemachinewhattodo.
(http://cdn.instructables.com/FR3/PC31/HMVJDJSS/FR3PC31HMVJDJSS.LARGE.jpg)
ForthecontrollersoftwareIamusingMach3.Mach3sendsoutthesignals
throughtheparallelportofyourcomputertothebreakoutboard.YouuseMach3
tozerothecuttingtoolandstartthecuttingprogram.Youcanalsouseitto
controlthespindlespeedandcuttingspeed.Mach3hassomebasicwizards
builtin,whichyoucanusetooutputsimpleGcodefiles.Anexampleisthewrite
wizard,whichyoucanusetoquicklywritesometextandoutputittoGcode.
(Seestep17foranexample).

Step17:Usingthemachine

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FUA/9JWM/HMVJDDPP/FUA9JWMHMVJDDPP.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FU9/C6UB/HS18GRTJ/FU9C6UBHS18GRTJ.LARGE.jpg)
(http://cdn.instructables.com/FUU/YUMH/HMVJDE5T/FUUYUMHHMVJDE5T.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FDO/M76F/HMVJDDPN/FDOM76FHMVJDDPN.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FGG/XG8J/HMVJDE6P/FGGXG8JHMVJDE6P.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FGQ/M2M9/HMVJDDPQ/FGQM2M9HMVJDDPQ.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FVM/BXXG/HMVJDDPV/FVMBXXGHMVJDDPV.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F3Z/1VWE/HMVJDDPR/F3Z1VWEHMVJDDPR.LARGE.jpg)

Afterseveralmonthsofwork,themachineisfinallyfinished.Aftertheinitial
testing,thefirstthingImadeweresomeholddownclamps.Thefirstbigproject
wastheelectronicsenclosure,whichyouhaveseeninstep15.Ihavealsobeen
cuttingsomedifferenttypesofgearsandsomesigns.Forsomeguitarpick
boxesImadeseemyEtsyshop
(https://www.etsy.com/listing/180377456/woodenguitarpickboxholderfrom
beech?
ref=sr_gallery_9&ga_search_query=guitar+pick+box&ga_view_type=gallery&ga
(http://cdn.instructables.com/FQE/DA6J/HMVJDDPW/FQEDA6JHMVJDDPW.LARGE.jpg)
_ship_to=NL&ga_search_type=all).
OnethingIquicklyrealizedwasthataCNCroutermakesalotofdustandcan
beprettyloud.TofixthedustproblemImadeadustshoe,towhichashopvac
canbeattached.Reducingthenoiselevelwasmoredifficult.Myparentswere
kindenoughtopayforthematerialcoststobuildafullenclosureforthe
machine.SoImadealargecabinetinwhichtheCNCmachinestands.Iused
noiseabsorbingplatestocovertheinsideofthewalls.Theelectronicsandthe
shopvaccansitintwodifferentcompartmentsunderthemachine.Thecabinet
reallycutsdownonthenoiselevelandmakesusingthemachineevenmore
fun.

Step18:Conclusion

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FKP/52DT/HMVJDJUP/FKP52DTHMVJDJUP.LARGE.jpg)

Sothatsaboutit.NowyouknowhowIbuildmyCNCrouterandwhyIdiditthe
wayIdid.
Althoughyouprobablywontbebuildinganexactcopyofmymachine,Ihope
youcandrawsomeinspirationfrommydesignandbuild.Ihavelearntalot,by
buildingthisCNCrouterandreallylookforwardtousingitforfutureprojects.
Iwouldliketothankmyschoolteacher,NopVelthuizen,whichgavemethe
opportunitytobuildthismachine.Heallowedmetocomeovertohisown
workshopanduseallofthetoolsIneededtobuildthisCNCrouter.Hegaveme
alotofinformationandinspirationandhelpedmewhereneeded,tosuccessfully
completethisproject.
Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleaseleaveacommentandIwilltrytoansweryour
questionsassoonaspossible.
Linkstousefulwebsites:
CNCzone.com(http://cnczone.com/)
CNCroutersource.com(http://www.cncroutersource.com/)
CamBam(http://www.cambam.info/downloads/)
Mach3(http://www.machsupport.com/software/downloadsupdates/)

DamenCNC.com(http://damencnc.com/en)
Linearmotionbearings2008
(http://www.ebay.com/sch/linearmotionbearings2008/m.html)
Beltingonline.co.uk(http://beltingonline.co.uk/)
Misumiusa.com(http://us.misumiec.com/)

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NoumanM(/member/NoumanM/)

6hoursago

Reply

whichtypeofcuttingbitareyouusinginyourproject
(/member/NoumanM/)
flag

kingkhalid(/member/kingkhalid/)

7daysago

Reply

likeyourcnciwanttobuildonecanyousendmeyourdrawingsandabout
(/member/kingkhalid/)
howmuchdoesitcostmyemailnhm.khalid@gmail.com

plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
flag

Benne(/member/Benne/)(author) kingkhalid

6daysago

Reply

BoththetotalcostandthedrawingsthatIhaveareintheInstructable
(/member/Benne/)

SuperRistopaha.(/member/SuperRistopaha./)

flag

1monthago

Reply

Hi!NiceJob!Anychancetoseeavideoofitinaction?Andcanyoudo3D
(/member/SuperRistopaha./)
partsbyusingtheappropriatesoftwaretoe.g.sculptwoodmovingall3axis

simultaniously?Isthisahardwareorsoftwarelimitationifonecanmoveall3
axisatonce?Ihavenoticedthatalotofpeopleusetwomotorsonthexaxis.
Haveyounoticedanyneedforthat?Haveyoueverthoughtaboutdrivingthe
nutonthezaxisandnotathreadedspindle?Wouldtherebeanyadvantage
ofnotmovingthezaxissteppermotoralongwiththezaxis?Yesandlikeone
othercommenteralreadystatedyoudidanverygoodjobwritingEnglish.Easy
toreadandunderstand!
flag

jdtilden(/member/jdtilden/)

2monthsago

Reply

ilikeyourcnciwanttobuildonecanyousendmeyourdrawingspleaseand
(/member/jdtilden/)
abouthowmuchdoesitcostthankyoujdt_66@yahoo.com
flag

hasannebso(/member/hasannebso/)

3monthsago

Reply

wowyouamazingilovetobuildthisrouterpleasecanyousendmetheplane
(/member/hasannebso/)
andthesketchupdrawings

h.nibso@yahoo.com
flag

Benne(/member/Benne/)(author) hasannebso

3monthsago

Reply

IjustaddedtheSketchupdrawingstostep1oftheInstructable.The
(/member/Benne/)
drawingsarenotverydetailedandnotfullycompletebutIhopethey

willbehelpful.Idonthaveafullsetofplans,butthesketchupdrawing
andthepictures+documentationshouldbeenoughtobuildyourown
machine.

flag

cnclover(/member/cnclover/)

3monthsago

Reply

hiiamveryinterestedinbuildingthismachine,canyougivemetheautocad
(/member/cnclover/)
filesoicanmodifythesizeofthemachinebeforeprintingthedesign,thank

youverymuch
flag

paulgentile72(/member/paulgentile72/)

3monthsago

Reply

hereisagreatcncbuildIfoundhttp://www.cnczone.com/forums/open
(/member/paulgentile72/)
sourcecncmachinedesigns/171805starting48x96cncrouterparts

build.html
flag

drphil111(/member/drphil111/)

4monthsago

Reply

Greatpieceofengineeringandbuilding.HavebuildoneCNCmachinealready
(/member/drphil111/)
inwood.Needtomoveuptothenextrealm.Wouldyoupleasesendmeyour

sketchupdrawings.Thanks.docphil111@gmail.com
flag

hamzas(/member/hamzas/)

4monthsago

Reply

hifirstofallthanksforsharingthisinfo...greatprojectiwanttobuildthissame
(/member/hamzas/)
designbutin2xscaleisthesameelectronicswillworkandmotorstorque

shouldbeenoughforacrylicoraluminium???andifpossiblepleasesendme
theplanonr.hamza_shahid@hotmail.comishouldbereallythanksfulltoyou
thanks
flag

HollywoodHacker(/member/Hollywood+Hacker/)

5monthsago

Reply

Howmuchdidthiscostoverall?
(/member/Hollywood+Hacker/)
flag

kSaletta(/member/kSaletta/)

5monthsago

Reply

Wowthisissuchanamazingmachine!!!Itssoawesomehowyoumadeyour
(/member/kSaletta/)
ownmachinethatyouusetomakeparts!Youdidsuchanicejobonthis!
flag

Benne(/member/Benne/)(author) kSaletta

5monthsago

Reply

Thankyou!
(/member/Benne/)

jmacangus(/member/jmacangus/)

flag

5monthsago

Reply

Afinepieceofengineering.
(/member/jmacangus/)
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skhawale(/member/skhawale/)

8monthsago

Reply

IsthereanysubstitutefortheLeadshineM542cotrollerbecauseitis'nt
availableinIndia.
(/member/skhawale/)
flag

ssiddique1(/member/ssiddique1/) skhawale

6monthsago

Reply

heydude,iamsalamsiddiquefrommumbai
(/member/ssiddique1/)

ihavebuildacncmillmyselfandbelowarethepicsyoucansee
ihavetotellyouthatitisverytoughtofindcncelectronicshereinindia
imyselforderedtb65603axiscncdriverfromebay
soitisgoodifyouorderfromebayoryoucanmakeone,therearelots
ofarticlesontheinternetbutifyouareabeginnerirecommendyouto
buyone
ifyouneedanythingjustgoogleit........
bestofluck....

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FS3/ZD6L/HX42PLBA/FS3ZD6LHX42PLBA.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FVL/6K4W/HX42PLBE/FVL6K4WHX42PLBE.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FDC/A24Z/HX42PNIH/FDCA24ZHX42PNIH.LARGE.jpg)
flag

Djidde(/member/Djidde/)

6monthsago

Reply

Very,veryimpressiveman.Anychanceyoucouldsendmethedrawingsin
(/member/Djidde/)
sketchupandsomeadditionalinformation?Wouldlivetodesignfurtherupon

yourgreatexecution!
flag

DrSoup32(/member/Dr+Soup+32/)

8monthsago

Reply

Holycowmyfriend,nicework!
(/member/Dr+Soup+32/)

coldmow(/member/coldmow/)

flag

9monthsago

Reply

GruwelijkvetvanjedatjehetopInstructableshebtgezet.Ditisechtvet.
(/member/coldmow/)
flag

lcsmbs(/member/lcsmbs/)

9monthsago

Reply

IamalsodesigningandbuildingaCNCrouterbutIamnottosureaboutthe
(/member/lcsmbs/)
dimensions.IwantittobeprettysimilartoyourasIthinkitisoneofthebest

designsaround.Couldyoupleaseemailmethesketchupplan.Emailis:
sales@chedworth.co.nz.
Muchappreciated.
flag

ALEXANDERWALDO(/member/ALEXANDER+WALDO/)

9monthsago

Reply

CONGRATULATIONSONYOURGENIUS,IAMNOTSPEAKENGLISH
(/member/ALEXANDER+WALDO/)
CUCUTA,COLOMBIA,I'MMAKINGTHEPLANANDIWANTMYCNCASK

YOUPLEASESENDMETHEALLPOSSIBLEINFORMATION,HANDLING
THESKETCHUP,COREL,PHOTOSHOP,ETC.TEappreciateit.
ALEXANDERWALDO
apdigitalprint@yahoo.es
flag

todos(/member/todos/)

9monthsago

Reply

Hiandfrommeveryniceprojectandreallyunderstantableposting.Iam
(/member/todos/)
thinkingofmakingacnconmyownandiwantsomehelpinselecting

dimensionsoflinearrails,bearingsetc.andcuttingbed?howiwillconfigurethe
areaofcutting?
thanks
flag

Benne(/member/Benne/)(author) todos

9monthsago

Reply

Whatmaterialsyoushouldusedependsonthesizeofthemachine
(/member/Benne/)
youwanttomake,yourbudget,theprecisionetc.You'llhavetoprovide

abitmoreinformation,sothatIcanhelpyoubetter.Iused16mmfully
supportedrailsfortheYandZaxis.Youdefinitelywantsupportedrails,
whenyourmachineislargerthan500/500mm.Thecuttingareawillbe
about20cmsmallerineachaxisthanthelenghtofyourrails,butthis
alsodependsonyourdesign.Agoodwebsitewithmoreinformationis:
http://www.cncroutersource.com/.Thereyou'llfindmostanswersto
yourquestions.GoodluckwithbuildingyourCNCrouter!
flag

todos(/member/todos/) Benne

9monthsago

Reply

Generallyiwanttocutaluminiumandwoodasyoudidandforthe
(/member/todos/)
frameiwillusealsoaluminium.Soyourlengthoftherailsinyour

projectisx:1050mm,y:840,z:400andthetravelareaalmost20cm
smallerineveryaxis.
Itisworthtomakeabiggercnc?Ifiwantacuttingareaof
1100mmx925mmiwilluse1300mmx1150mmrails?
Ifimadeabiggerfromyoursiwillloseprecisionandwhereishould
payattention?Itchangeanythinginthezaxis
Ifiteasyforyoucanyousendmesomesketchuporanyother
informationformyfirststeps.Isentmyemailtoyouwithpm.
Sorryifiamaskingstupidthingsbutiamtryingtounderstandwhatis
thebestdimensioningformyproject.
Thanksandkeepgoingwithniceprojects!
flag

Benne(/member/Benne/)(author) todos

9monthsago

Reply

Ijustsendyouanemailwiththesketchupdrawingsandsomemore
(/member/Benne/)
informationthatmighthelpyou.Hopethishelps.

Benne
flag

BogTrotter(/member/Bog+Trotter/)

9monthsago

Reply

BenneCongratulationsonanimpressivepieceofdesigningandconstruction.
(/member/Bog+Trotter/)
Isthereanychancethatyoucouldedittheinstructabletoincludesomecritical

dimensionsandabillofmaterialsandparts(BOMP).BogTrotter

flag

Benne(/member/Benne/)(author) BogTrotter

9monthsago

Reply

Ihaven'tmadeaBOM,becausemostofthematerialsIorderedlocally
(/member/Benne/)
orfromDutchsuppliers.Intheinstructableyoucanfindthemain

componentsIusedandthedimensionsofthecuttingarea,raillenght
etc.Icansendyouthesketchupdrawings,ifyoupmmeyouremail
address,butthedrawingsarentverydetailed.Ifyouwanttomakea
copy/similarCNCrouter,I'mafraidthatyouwillhavetofigureoutalot
ofdimensionsyourselfandseewhatmaterialsyoucanuse.Butthe
sketchupdrawingsandallofthepicturesprobablycanhelp.
Benne
flag

benwade(/member/benwade/)

10monthsago

Reply

IcannottellyouhowmuchIadmiretheworkyoudidhere,andthequalityof
(/member/benwade/)
theinstructableyouhavemade.Youwilldowellinwhateveryouundertake.

I'dliketoaddthatyourEnglishisfantastic.
flag

Benne(/member/Benne/)(author) benwade

9monthsago

Reply

Thankyouverymuchforyourcomment,Ireallyappreciateit!!!
(/member/Benne/)
flag

Benne(/member/Benne/)(author) NazirNaseer

9monthsago

Reply

Nice,soyouevenmadeyourownelectronics,verycool!
(/member/Benne/)
flag

mbrock13(/member/mbrock13/)

9monthsago

Reply

Firstoffgreatbuild!Yourworkhasinspiredmetobuildoneaswell.Ihadone
(/member/mbrock13/)
questionforyouthough.Iamwonderingwhatthedimensionsoftheside

platesofthegantrywere?thankyouinadvanceforyourhelp!
flag

Benne(/member/Benne/)(author) mbrock13

9monthsago

Reply

Thanks!Thesideplatesare:200x530x15mm.Icansendyouthe
(/member/Benne/)
sketchupdrawings,butI'llneedyouremailaddress.Thesketchup

drawingsarenotextremelydetailednorfullycomplete,butthey
probablywillbehelpfulifyouwanttobuildyourown.
flag

TheMeltyBotBuilder(/member/TheMeltyBotBuilder/)

9monthsago

Reply

nice,howmuchdidjtcostyoutomake
(/member/TheMeltyBotBuilder/)

flag

TheMeltyBotBuilder(/member/TheMeltyBotBuilder/) TheMeltyBotBuilder
Reply
9monthsago

Imeant'itcost'

(/member/TheMeltyBotBuilder/)

Benne(/member/Benne/)(author) TheMeltyBotBuilder
9monthsago

Totalcostwasabout1400euros

flag

Reply

(/member/Benne/)
flag

kbell14(/member/kbell14/)

10monthsago

Reply

howdoyousetthemachine"0"position?
(/member/kbell14/)
flag

Benne(/member/Benne/)(author) kbell14

10monthsago

Reply

Thisisveryeasy.Youshouldusethesame0pointasyouusedinyour
(/member/Benne/)
Cad/Camprogram.Forinstancethebottomleftcornerofthematerial

youwanttocut.Soyoupositionthemachineinthebottomleftcorner
andmakesurethatthecuttingtoolisjusttouchingthesurface.I
normallyslipapieceofpaperunderitandlowermyZaxisuntilIcan't
movethepieceofpaperanymore.ThenyougotoMach3andclickthe
ZeroX/Y/Zbuttons.Youcanfindthesenexttothe'coordinatestable'
(seestep16).Yourmachineisnowon0andyoucanstartthe
program.
Hopethishelps,
Benne
flag

kbell14(/member/kbell14/) Benne

10monthsago

Reply

Thanks.figureditoutafterlookingattheMach3Tutorialandconfirmed
(/member/kbell14/)
byyourcommentabove.
flag

Tbus(/member/Tbus/)

11monthsago

Reply

IfanybodyneedshelpwiththeCNCprogrammingpartI'menrolledinalearn
(/member/Tbus/)
athomecoursein

CNCprogrammingthatisveryinformative:
http://www.ciebookstore.com/cncprogrammingcourse
(http://www.ciebookstore.com/cncprogrammingcourse)
flag

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