My first project: A fast router...

[Boscoe]

So I have been interested in making a CNC machine for at least six months now hence my membership of these forums. I have been thinking of this design for the past month and have had it rolling around in my head playing with different ideas. So far this is what I have come up with.



It's 800mm long and 600mm wide - I'm aiming for a cutting area of about 650 x 450. It's small compared to some but I want to keep it very strong so I've used 50 x 50 x 3mm box steel and have welded it together instead of aluminium and bolting. I want to use two 1600oz Nema 34 motors on the X and one on the Y for speed and accuracy. I will also use a very high power spindle to ensure my fast feed rate.

This build log is going to go on for a long time purely because I'm a student and don't have any money so I will be doing this in dribs and drabs however I hope to have it finished just after Christmas where I can get everyone to buy me parts for it!

The build so far...





As you can see the welds aren't that great on the one at the back as I haven't done any welding in years and so it took a few goes to get some neat welds like the one below.



I am hoping to finish the frame off today.

I also need some opinions on how to do the gantry. I want to just have a peice of 100mm square box steel resting on the carriages spanning the rails but I can't really decide where I will mount the rails on the gantry like one on the side and top or both on opposite sides etc.

Thanks
Boscoe