My first ever built CNC router.

[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!