MDF CNC Router plans / parts for home build beginners

[HiltonSteve]

Quick update.....

Been hunting around for a cheap off the shelf option for linear slides and to be honest I am struggling, everything I have found comes at a cost which I think for what we are trying to achieve is too expensive. But I have another plan, ordered today some engineering plastic from a company I deal with and I am going to try and make a very simple but hopefully very cheap alternative. Will let you know how I get on when I have tried it, I know it will work but not sure how well yet...

Some of you may find my next bit of news interesting...

A stepper controller at the right price...! I have decided to go with 17 size steppers for this project now because it reduces the costs all round and takes a big chunk out of the total build cost, using 17 size steppers also means we do not need powerful drivers and I think that I have come up with just the thing. See details below...

Oh, and they are made in the UK!

Motor Outputs

• 3 x Allegro A4983 Microstepping Stepper motor controller (fixed at 1.5 amps 8th stepping)

Some features of the driver IC's

• Intelligent chopping control that automatically selects the correct current decay mode (fast decay or slow decay)
• Over-temperature thermal shutdown, under-voltage lockout, and crossover-current protection

Outputs

• 1 x 12vdc output for laser / external relay or contractor rated at max 500ma.
• 2 x 6a relays rated for 230vac.

Connections

• It requires a PSU minimum 4 amp 2.5mm laptop type connector. (an old laptop power supply will be suitable)
• 1 x male DB25 connector (for connection to parallel port, cable not supplied)
• 1 x female DB9 connector (to breakout unused parallel port connections, for limits etc)
• 1 x 6 way Phoenix screw clamp connector (for E-Stop input, and outputs)
• 3 x 4 way Phoenix screw less connector ( for X, Y & Z axis motor connections)

Enclosure

The system is enclosed within an all Aluminium enclosure for maximum heat dissipation and RF shielding. In the top of the enclosure is a 12vdc fan to provide active cooling of the driver IC's
Dimensions Height, Width, Depth = 55mm x 100mm x 120mm

Cost will be around £120-£130 so hopefully this will be of more interest to the people on a tight budget.

[Robin Hewitt]

Been hunting around for a cheap off the shelf option for linear slides and to be honest I am struggling

Have you looked at the DryLin slides from RS? Only vaguely grot, low profile, easy to mount and cheap as chips.

[HiltonSteve]

Have you looked at the DryLin slides from RS? Only vaguely grot, low profile, easy to mount and cheap as chips.

Yes Robin, I have been looking at these and I have a few samples from the IGUS man who called in a few weeks back. What I can't work out is which will be most suitable though as when I start guessing at the loads that they will be needing to take then it push's me towards the heavier ones which start to get expensive. Go to the IGUS website and there is a product selector there, have a play and see what results you get.