85 replies to this topic

[bob]

Anyone had a crack at DIY CNC machines?
I'm currently planning out a CNC mill for doing circuit boards, and aluimium pieces. The majority of the costs so far have been in bearings and ball screws($350 a pop!) and you need one of them for each axis.
Once I start building, I'll probably document my particular project if anyone is interested.

[SQXPRT]

you have far too much spare time

[trism]

x2

but id be interested, definately!

[BlackIce]

Get it to work alloy billets and come talk to me..

[bob]

The days of sniffing Ammonium Persulfate will be gone!!!

[bob]

In true Bob fashion, 5 months later I've finally gotten around to doing some work on it.

The Z axis is almost finished, just needs a bit of timber attached to the small piece at the front to mount the spindle to, and some bits on the side to make it a bit more rigid.

Tomorrow's job is to finish the Y axis which holds the one below, and then start working on the bed. I'm waiting on bearings though which were ment to be in on Friday!!

Making this is harder than it first looks. Jigs need to be made to make sure things are perfect, as even half a mm out, and the thing will be horrible for manufactiring things with.

If this all works to plan, I'll use it to mill parts for a new one, out of 10mm aluminium.

Edited by bob, 06 November 2006 - 07:27 PM.

[BEEF]

Nice
I run and program DMG 5 axis cnc lathe and a 5 axis cnc mill at work.
What program are you going to use to generate iso code or are you going to write the programs ya self ?

[bob]

Mine runs off G-code.
I havn't explored it heaps, but I have something that converts my Eagle (pcb cad software) to g-code which is the main thing I am building it for.

[BEEF]

Mine runs off G-code.
I havn't explored it heaps, but I have something that converts my Eagle (pcb cad software) to g-code which is the main thing I am building it for.

Yeah Iso is G-Code should be good would like to se a little vid of it in action when its done.

[bob]

When being the key word haha. I'm off to Europe in 3 weeks for a month, so hopefully when I get back I can finish it.

[Captn_Awesome]

Hey Bob...




...Any news?

[bob]

I have to finish off one more axis and the mechanical work is done. I finished off the table yesterday so it's just the gantry that has to be built.
It's actually starting to look like something finally!
The project got held up a bit with regards to bearing holders but I have since made them up and have slowly been progressing with it

I just went and took these snaps. It's a little bit dirty from greasy hands so it will get a good sanding once it's finished and then a clear applied over the top.




And the u-beaut bearing holders for the ball screw. These had to be machined to tight tolerances else the bearing will get crushed when being pressed in, or they will be a loose fit if the sizing isn't right
Ignore the surface rust.

Edited by bob, 13 August 2007 - 05:17 PM.

[Captn_Awesome]

Looks good Bob, I just thought about it today when i was googling DIY Panel Saws (yep i want a panel saw) and I came up with a few DIY CNC sites

[Wrayza]

I was only just looking at some DIY CNC's on Youtube yesteday and remembered seeing someone building one here. Good to see you haven't given up!

Have you chosen your stepper motors yet?

[bob]

[url="http://www.oceancontrols.com.au/motors/ste...pper_motors.htm"]http://www.oceancont...pper_motors.htm[/url]
MO-102 Stepper Motor - 23HD601
With almost 1N.m of torque (0.98N.m or 138oz-in) this motor is a great performer with a rated current of only 0.6A. Suitable for small CNC machinery.

Features
• Rated Current: 0.6A
• Step angle: 1.8deg
• Ambient Temp -10 to 40degC
• Temp Rise 85degC
• Dimensions: 56mm x 56mm square face, 56mm long, 47mm between mounting holes
• Weight: 0.62Kg

They are the ones I am planning on using for the X and Y axis. I only purchased one for now to see if it is suitable and if so I will buy another, or upgrade if needed.
The z axis is using a cheap one I found on eBay. That assembly has enough torque to hurt my hand a fair bit when I get it caught in the slide lol. But I will see how it holds up.

As for giving up... I have come close. I have found a mill I like for $1500 and was thinking of bolting up the stepper motors to it, but I have gone this far I might as well finish it!

[Dogo]

*subscribed*

very interesting - looking forward to a finished result

what are you going to use to control it?

is there a control unit you can buy that plugs into the PC or do you need to make one

Edited by Dogo, 14 August 2007 - 11:13 AM.

[KIRBO]

Great thread! Cant wait to see more progress, keep up the good work Bob.

[Captn_Awesome]

You can buy ready to go boxes Dogo. Dont know what Bobs doing though from memory I think I remember him having bought a controller.

Machinery design isnt easy Im finding out just doing something simple like a panel saw so I cant imagine how much work goes into something like a CNC machine!

[bob]

I started building my own stepper controllers but then found a kit from Oatley which would do the job, and was less hassle. My original design was going to do half step and all that crap, but I didn't need it.
Oatley have everything - the parallel port interface (I made my own though), the constant current power supply modules, and the stepper driver boards.

[funkdr]

Have you got a total cost so far

[bob]

One ball screw I got given to me (score! - worth approx $300)
The other 2 ball screws I got for $150, and $50(for the tiny one) off eBay. Small stepper motor was $12 off eBay, larger one was $80ish?.
Linear bearings were $150 inc pillow blocks
Angular contact bearings $48 for 4
Radial bearings $40 for 4
MDF under $40
Stainless steel rods free
Control gear will be another $150 or so I think

[bob]

Bob's back for 5 mins

I know some of you were keen to see how the CNC was turning out, so I thought I'd keep updating this thread as the project continues.

It's starting to look like something even more now. All that is left is to bolt the rails up to the y axis, add some more reinforcements, and then the mechanical side of it is complete.

Edited by bob, 15 October 2007 - 11:34 AM.

[MatS]

Was very keen to see how this turned out, something i'd like to give ago myself one day

[Louie]

Bob's back for 5 mins

And there you were saying you'd never return to us

Looks good so far.

[KIRBO]

Awesome. I want to see this make something!

[toyotaman]

this looks awsome. dont wat to think how much time must have gone into that.

what sort of things will you be able to turn out on a mill this size?

"subscribed"

[Cide]

Wow Bob, the CNC is the sex! interested to see how it turns out and what it can do!

"subscribed"

[Captn_Awesome]

May 31 2006,[/u] 06:14 PM' post='663103']
Anyone had a crack at DIY CNC machines?
I'm currently planning out a CNC mill for doing circuit boards, and aluimium pieces. The majority of the costs so far have been in bearings and ball screws($350 a pop!) and you need one of them for each axis.
Once I start building, I'll probably document my particular project if anyone is interested.

Going by the start date of this thread you could be waiting a while for up[dates to that subscription :P

[BlackIce]

Seeings as how Bob hasnt been on CAA for the best part of 3 months with no intention of returning, good luck seeing any updates.

[Louie]

Seeings as how Bob hasnt been on CAA for the best part of 3 months with no intention of returning, good luck seeing any updates

He was on yesterday (when he last updated), and my impression is that he will return to update this thread as the project progresses.

Who knows