Good Day Eh!

[Clive S]

Hi Everybody,

My name is Dale and I am new to the group. I am a teacher in Canada and we want to build a CNC machine and came a cross a recommendation of your site( by Ron Harris). I am looking for advice on design and material. I am just sitting back going through all the information.

Thanks Dale!

Hi Dale and welcome to the forum. You have come to the right place. Have a good read through the many build logs on here and when you are ready, start a build log to keep all the questions in one place.

[Wolverine4u1]

Hi Clive,

Thanks for the warm welcome.... My head is spinning with so many ideas that I am reading. I am really trying to introduce the students to CNC and CAD/CAM. Luckily I have a local company that has donated a lot of parts to the school ( ie. Linear bearing, rails,extruded aluminium etc.) Which has been a god send as there is no budget in the school for such projects. I am a Tech teacher with access to the machine shop so that helps a lot. If there is any builds that you could recommend to follow I do appreciate it.

Thanks Dale

[Clive S]

Dale It would help if you set your goals out regarding size of machine and what is it you want it to cut. Cutting ali is a lot different than cutting mdf etc

[Wolverine4u1]

Hi Clive,

Sage advice to start me off right ..... I want to be able to machine a wide range from ali to wood. Size to be in the 3' x 3' range. Being it is for school I need it to have multiple safety incorporated in it . We build robots for the FRC and this will be key to have for it. I than want to use it to teach the students CAD/CAM and G code.

Thanks Dale

[AndyGuid]

Hi Dale, welcome to the forum from downunder, it sounds like you have a fun job!

FRC = FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is an international high school robotics competition. Each year, teams of high school students and mentors work during a six-week period to build game-playing robots that weigh up to 120 pounds (54 kg).

[Desertboy]

Hi, welcome to the forums. Are you intending to build the router? Or buy an existing router? What sort of budget do you have for the router?

[Wolverine4u1]

Hi Desertboy!
Thanks for the warm welcome and great read on your build.The idea so far as I am working with a limited budget is to get stuff donated to the school. Than see if I have to purchase the ball screw, spindle and possible linear rail.
So far I have had some excellent support from local companies.The Z axis head is a complete " THK GL20N" which is way cool!I have posted some PICS of the parts so far.

Size 1000 x 1000 ( aprox.)
Cut aluminum, wood, lexan, light plate.
Linear slider rails ( have a lot donated already)
Spindle I was looking at was 3 HP water cooled.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2200W-2-2KW-...9qlrOmfBvjOnTQ

Not sure on good source for the ball screws and what ratio to use??( 1605???)

Thanks Dale

[Wolverine4u1]

Hi Andy,
Thanks for the warm welcome from down under! Yes that is FRC and we went into it first year as a rookie team. We made it to the district finals and missed out by 2 points to go too worlds in St. Louis. Great first year! looking forward to building this project with the students and hearing all the great advice, ideas from all you folks on this site. If you have any thing that I should look at ,read ...please let me know.
Good day mate and talk soon!
Dale