My first ever built CNC router.

[driftspin]

Hi to everyone here,

I've been working on a design for a DIY CNC Router for a little while and recently I said damn it, I need to build it. I've kinda gone headlong into it and started to order bits (probably a mistake) but I wanted to get some professional feedback to hopefully put my mind at rest a little.

I've attached 2 pictures of the frame work and also the completed (well almost) design. Its designed to take 400x400 materials with a rough cutting height of about 120mm. I plan to use NEMA 23's @ 2.2NM and 1.5kw spindle (er11) collet and it will hopefully be used to cut aluminium, delrin, brass (Maybe) etc. 1605 ballscrews and 20mm linear rails for the guildance.




My goal was to try and make one for about £1000 but as I've added all the extra bits its about £1300 at the moment without any control costs. I think its more than likely £1500 by the time its all there.

These are what I have ordered so far as well as the ali extrusion and metals, nuts and bolts etc.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3295...17f54c4ddlTn1H
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...17f54c4ddlTn1H
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3305...17f54c4ddlTn1H

I have some concerns after I ordered these bits, more so as I started researching more whilst waiting for them to arrive. The linear rails and ballscrews have arrived and seem great, some of the rail blocks need looking at but I see that's a common thing. My spindle also arrived with the VFD which sadly doesn't have a ground point so I need to figure that out at some point. Still waiting for the steppers but after reading up about the drivers and power supply I am a little concerned they won't be up to the job.

I am currently learning as much as I can about the wiring and I think I am getting there with that but I do have a little confusion about the number of power supplies I need in total especially as I plan to use homing swtiches. Each day is definitely a learning curve.

Originally I was planning on using the Breakout board that comes with the stepper kit but adding up the extra costs of getting a serial computer and mach3 or even using LinuxCNC I am kinda now leaning towards a DDCSV2.1 for offline control. With that in mind I use Fusion for CAM so I'll need to sort a post processor out.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings. I'd be very much interest in any feedback or suggestions you may have.

Thanks

Tim B

Hello Tim B,


Welcome to this forum.

This one of the best places to get information on diy cnc builds.

Most people post their ideas and design concideration in a ( pre ) build log.

So people can help you narrow down any options you have for size machine, materials to use, purpose of the machine, trusted suppliers, budget and so on.

Any 1st reply to a build log starts with don't buy electronics kits.
Finish you design before buying anything.
Post design pictures
Ask for critique


So you don't waist any money.

I have one cost nutral tip.

Swap the bearing blocks and rail on the z axis.
So the rails are on the moving part of the z axis.


You will find here what you are looking for.

Grtz Bert.




Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-A505FN met Tapatalk

[Timatronics]

Hello Tim B,


Welcome to this forum.

This one of the best places to get information on diy cnc builds.

Most people post their ideas and design concideration in a ( pre ) build log.

So people can help you narrow down any options you have for size machine, materials to use, purpose of the machine, trusted suppliers, budget and so on.

Any 1st reply to a build log starts with don't buy electronics kits.
Finish you design before buying anything.
Post design pictures
Ask for critique


So you don't waist any money.

I have one cost nutral tip.

Swap the bearing blocks and rail on the z axis.
So the rails are on the moving part of the z axis.


You will find here what you are looking for.

Grtz Bert.




Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-A505FN met Tapatalk

Thanks for the reply.

Yea, I was expecting a few "don't buy anything yet" responses and completely understand. I tend to rush into things which could possibly be a massive downfall but I also like learning from mistakes although potentially expensive ones.

Thanks for the advice on the z axis. I will consider it for sure. Whats your reasoning behind it out of interest?

Thanks

Tim B

[driftspin]

Thanks for the reply.

Yea, I was expecting a few "don't buy anything yet" responses and completely understand. I tend to rush into things which could possibly be a massive downfall but I also like learning from mistakes although potentially expensive ones.

Thanks for the advice on the z axis. I will consider it for sure. Whats your reasoning behind it out of interest?

Thanks

Tim B

Hello Tim B.

Well the best thing is your committed now.
You will own a CNC router.

I think it can be a running system in the end.
You can upgrade parts later.



For the z axis.

You want the blocks in a square on a solid plate close to each other.

That is the stiffer setup.

The rails and spindlemotor will all add to rigidity of the z axis plate.

What ballscrews did you buy?
Are they straight and all?

Grtz Bert.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-A505FN met Tapatalk

[RobC]

Hello Tim, I did exactly the same as you but posted my build progress as I went so I got help before I made any purchases for expensive wrong items. I'd strongly recommend if you can to cancel the air cooled spindle and get a water cooled 2.2kw spindle and the reciprocal VFD for such. You will only ever hear the motors and cutting instead of a constant noise which for me kills the fun of watching your machine make something

Breakout board, so many to chose from. You can go all out cheap and buy a generic 5 axis one for £6, they work perfectly in my experience only you likely will need to buy a Uc100 to convert from serial to USB if you do not have a serial capable motherboard. They're around £100 so take your pick wisely, I'd recommend going for a newer ethernet one with gecko drivers.

The big thing which I can't say enough which I didn't do but now try in all my designs is one very clear statement. If you can't make it perfect, at least make it adjustable! Makes like so much easier when later you think, why can I not get a perfectly smooth face and you then need to start cutting shims and making cuts so you can tram an axis in if you are not able to (What muggings here had to do because I'm impatient).

Here is my first machine all be it on its second iteration with a new gantry milled from 20mm ali instead of 10mm steel which it previously had. The first image is my complete disaster if im honest, I relied too much on the steel being true of which it wasn't so here is the latest version in the second picture In an old enclosure.




I'm still not sure if its worth making a new one when I can because I'm holding good tolerance .01mm most of the time and it works well.

Kind Regards
Rob

[Doddy]

you likely will need to buy a Uc100 to convert from serial to USB if you do not have a serial capable motherboard.

"you likely will need to buy a Uc100 to convert from USB to Parallel if you do not have a parallel capable motherboard."


Fixed that for you

[RobC]

"you likely will need to buy a Uc100 to convert from USB to Parallel if you do not have a parallel capable motherboard."


Fixed that for you

I have no idea why serial was in my head, haha thanks!