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View Full Version : About to build CNC miller, need design critique please



JW149
09-02-2012, 08:25 PM
Having watched Yutube and other sites, I too want my own CNC router/mill
I have created a Sketchup static model for experienced members to comment on before I buy materials.
I have omitted occassional plates so you can see my design better
I have a worktop space 450mm x 350mm max and watch machining area 200x200 or larger
I want to machine steels and brass for vintage motorcycle parts
I was proposing to use 10mm mild steel plate and 500+ oz-inch motors
Any experienced CNC hand who is in UK West Midlands who is prepared to mentor me ?
I hope I have attached several JPG of my proposed design.
Do I need to protect rails from suds and swarf?

mocha
22-04-2012, 06:59 PM
thread copied from new member introductions

routercnc
22-04-2012, 07:37 PM
You need a pretty stiff machine to cut steel and the fixed gantry is a good start if the parts are small. Unfortunately using 10mm plate on the Y axis and the gantry sides might not be enough.

I would substitute the 2off Y axis plates for box section which would stiffen up both the Y axis and the gantry sides in one go. Ali profile would be easy to fix by tapping the ends and bolting through the gantry sides. Or you could use steel box welded to small plates which were in turn bolted to the gantry sides (bolted allows for alignment).

For the base I would consider using box section all round instead to give the gantry sides more support, or if you want to stick to plate at least closing off the front of the machine with more plate to stop the sides bending in.

Robin Hewitt
22-04-2012, 09:14 PM
It looks like it is designed to cut large cheeses, I think you need help! :beer:

m.marino
22-04-2012, 09:54 PM
Adding to some good points already given,

1) rotate your rails so that they are opposing each other (one facing up and one down) That will bring your Z plate closer to Y as well as be a better transfer of force when cutting. Boxed section to mount them on with index plates to insure alignment would also help. Given the limit on space you might look at different options how you are mounting the X axis motor as that is costing you 60 or more mm off Y movement and if you plan on using precision profile rail that means you will be needing around 200mm width of the z plate to mount them. Also making a "C" with box section and plate for the axis as suggested above will add a good bit to the rigidity you will need to cut steel. Good luck and will keep an eye out and let others add their much greater depth of knowledge to this.

Michael

luke11cnc
22-04-2012, 10:30 PM
I cant wait for Jazz and Jonathan to start pointing you in the right direction, Should be epic

James

Jonathan
23-04-2012, 01:42 PM
If you want to cut steel efficiently then I'm afraid the machine will need to be significantly stronger and consequentially more expensive. My subsequent comments are based on the assumption that the majority of the parts you want to cut are steel.

Do you actually need 200x200, or would about 140x300 be acceptable? If so you could just convert a milling machine to CNC. Get one second hand and it could well be cheaper than making the CNC router strong enough. I got my milling machine on eBay for £320 (add to that price of ballscrews etc), compared to about £1k new...search by distance nearest and if you're prepared to wait something's bound to come up.


if you plan on using precision profile rail that means you will be needing around 200mm width of the z plate to mount them

Which linear rails are you planning on using? Profile rails are pretty much a must to cut steel. You might get away with SBR25 supported round rail, but it will be mediocre by comparison. You should be able to fit two 15mm profile rails in a 150mm wide Z-axis quite easily so long as you don't use flanged bearing blocks. Profile rails can have fairly good seals on the bearings, but it's still best to protect them particularly as the only way to get rails for a good price is second hand where you can't specify the correct seals/scrapers.

'500+ oz-inch motors'

Common misconception that you'll need big motors. You wont need more than 3Nm. Compared to say woods and plastics steel is cut at very low feedrates and the machine is small, so high rapid speeds are irrelevant. Most motors greater than 3Nm are Nema 34, so they're unlikely to go faster anyway. There's a lot to work out first before considering buying motors!

What spindle are you thinking of using? The standard spindles for CNC routers are no good for steel as they are optimised for high rpm. On mild steel I doubt you'll ever need more than about 3000rpm. Making your own spindle is probably the best bet.

Do post a drawing when you've considered the changes that have been suggested.

JAZZCNC
23-04-2012, 06:58 PM
I cant wait for Jazz and Jonathan to start pointing you in the right direction, Should be epic

James

Can hardly bloody see to reply James, Knackerd my eyes with grinding disk breaking up, now got an infection. Just reading the post's makes my eyes stream so no chance of writing the sort of reply needed to cover this project and thats why haven't been around much.!! . . . BUT I'll be back.!!!

routercnc
23-04-2012, 09:28 PM
JW149,

This would be a better option:
5831

Taken from this thread in cnczone:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-cnc_router_table_machines/151984-fixed_gantry_design_question.html