How about a mycncuk cnc router project?

[kingcreaky]

Thats because it got removed with my first BAN . . .

pmsl :D very funny

[Lee Roberts]

Thats because it got removed with my first BAN . . .

No it never, you left the site/forum and this was at the time we were discussing if or not banning you was the right action to take, it was decided that it wasn’t.

Sorry don’t mean to open any old wounds but I’d hate for people to get the wrong idea because of untruths and rumours about me or anyone else, when an account gets deleted threads or posts by that user become "orphaned" this gives us a problem at the admin level because they cant be managed correctly, if memory serves me right i think one of the forum updates meant that "guest posts, as they become" would be lost.

I cant remember now as much water has passed us, but that was either true for your threads/posts at the time or true when we moved from one forum software to the current, like i said above though we dont allow guest posting because of many reason's and this is how they have always been managed.



Regarding the topic of this thread, HiltonSteve started a thread some time ago MDF CNC Router plans / parts for home build beginners

where the discussion went down a similar path, maybe worth a read for some of you just to get an idea of what was said, i'm more than happy to facilitate you in doing a collaboration, let me know what you need - an "Open Source" forum added maybe?, some modderating access to manage and maintain the project?

Would be good to see this come to fruition

.Me

[John S]

Regarding the topic of this thread, HiltonSteve started a thread some time ago MDF CNC Router plans / parts for home build beginners

where the discussion went down a similar path, maybe worth a read for some of you just to get an idea of what was said, i'm more than happy to facilitate you in doing a collaboration, let me know what you need - an "Open Source" forum added maybe?, some modderating access to manage and maintain the project?

Would be good to see this come to fruition

.Me

That one never got anywhere and neither will this one.

Don't want to be a wet squib over this but seen it over and over again where a group build is called for.
7 years ago, may be longer a Yahoo forum was setup to design the perfect lathe.

So far nothing has been determined as no one can decide on a design that suits all.

Because everyone here has a different budget, different materials will come into play. Some will only be able to afford MDF but the consensus so far is that it won't be good enough because it won't cut alloy.

Why the fixation with cutting alloy ? I thought these were supposed to be routers not bed milling machines ?

[GEOFFREY]

The object was not to stop people from thinking for themselves, rather to encourage people to be able to produce a starter machine that has been expertly designed to eliminate some of the more common pitfalls, rather than help dig them out afterwards!!!

To promote discussion about general requirements for such a machine listing the pros and cons of various parameters and consider the cost/benefit of each idea. I am not suggesting that one size fits all, only that for a starter machine the requirement is fairly universal.

Yes, there are already enough designs and kits already available, but from many comments on this site it would appear that none of them are that good.

Many of the constructive comments made on build logs would seem to be about rail and gantry short comings, and most are generally fairly similar. I am sure we have enough expertise on this site to overcome most of these problems

If the first involvement with cnc leads to a successful machine build, surely that is better than a perhaps dubious purchase from elsewhere?

The machine design is only the fist step on what is a steep learning curve, the actual build, wiring cad cam and machining still have to follow.

Not everybody wants to start with a small (hopefully inexpensive) machine, but many do.

Not everybody with an interest in making things has an engineering background, the idea was to make it easier for one to get started and once bitten by the cnc bug who knows what could develop? G.

[JAZZCNC]

Not everybody wants to start with a small (hopefully inexpensive) machine, but many do.

Not everybody with an interest in making things has an engineering background, the idea was to make it easier for one to get started and once bitten by the cnc bug who knows what could develop? G.

These 2 comments are just a few reasons why what you suggest will be so very hard to achieve.? But I hear what your saying and agree on the "Bug biting" to develop.

That said to get the ball rolling lets define clear parameters.!!

Materials to cut:
Size:
Desktop or Floor standing:
Budget:

Knowing these will define the design and materials to use plus equipment levels and skills required to achieve.

Then let the fun begin.!!

[GEOFFREY]

Thanks Jazz, thats what I was hoping to hear!!

All parameters are up for discussion and can be collated (time limited?) to find the most popular needs. Remember this is a starter machine.

Materials to cut - should include Plastics,MDF plywood, hardwood, PCB material and aluminium (Ithink that probably rules out MDF construction).

Size - typical working area should be to optimise standard sheet (8'x4') use, so something like 300x400, 400x600 or 600x800

Desktop or floor standing - Desktop is perhaps prefered by most diyers due to space availability.

Budget - For hardware - up to 1K ish to include all rails, screws drives etc, and a spindle. As most people will not be VAT registered this should include VAT.

The design should also consider (small machine only) the use of fixed or moving table, and if the Z travel should be enough to incorporate a 4th axis later.

Whilst I have suggested the spindle price should be included, the type of spindle could vary according to the cutting requirements and could be a project.

To date this idea has not had much of a positive reaction, but lets give it a try.

As you said Jazz -let the fun begin (NOT let the sparks fly!). G

Another parameter to discuss -frame materials - steel/ally, sections or extrusions. G

[JAZZCNC]

Materials to cut - should include Plastics,MDF plywood, hardwood, PCB material and aluminium (Ithink that probably rules out MDF construction).

Here comes the "Horses for courses".!! My experience shows me the best most successful machines are the ones optimised for one main purpose. At 1K working with spindle Etc then cutting Aluminium with any serious intent and surviving the experience can't be done successfully. Best kept to Woods, plastics, PCB, Composites etc.

Size - typical working area should be to optimise standard sheet (8'x4') use, so something like 300x400, 400x600 or 600x800

Agree on sheet sizing and 8th sheet would be the optimal for desktop machine under 1K. So 650x650mm.

Desktop or floor standing - Desktop is perhaps prefered by most diyers due to space availability.

If we want space saving how about Vertical.?

Another parameter to discuss -frame materials - steel/ally, sections or extrusions. G

I'll say straight away that I'm taking NO further part in the discussion if MDF becomes part of the design other than for a Sacrificial Bed.!!

Size and budget will mostly determine Material used. Extrusion is expensive with the main reason for using being ease of use and this often needs expensive fasteners which will make 1K target harder to achieve.
Steel box section is far cheaper but requires more tools and for ease of use welding helps greatly but up's the skill level slightly (it isn't difficult at this level)

[GEOFFREY]

Jazz, As has been stated the idea would be to keep it simple, very rigid and straight forward to build. I am aware that cutting ally would up the anti, but it also vastly increases the scope of the machine, and would be useful for a "future" Monster build.

How does vertical work? material hold, retaining cutout components etc., would it really save any space? - I suspect not. best keep it simple, which probably
means conventional, although its good to think outside the box.

IMHO the best choice for the frame would be hot-rolled section, either steel or ally (both of which can be of welded or bolted construction, although ally welding requires more skill). How does a braced channel section compare with box or RHS for strength and rigidity?, this may be easier to make stronger bolted connections - just thinking out loud.

Yes it is difficult at this level, but that is probably why most available kits etc. don't quite cut the mustard. Also the idea behind this suggested project.

This machine is intended to be an improvement on anything currently available so I don't think MDF comes into the equation. I am sure some people have achieved some success with MDF, but do not feel that it is suitable for this particular project.G

[JAZZCNC]

Jazz, As has been stated the idea would be to keep it simple, very rigid and straight forward to build. I am aware that cutting ally would up the anti, but it also vastly increases the scope of the machine, and would be useful for a "future" Monster build.

Geoff your falling into the "Bridge too far" trap.!! . . . Theres cutting Ali and cutting it correctly and I'm not guessing when I say it can't be done complete and working with spindle for under 1K and keep the simple to build Ideal. If this is really a design requirement then I'm out has I don't have time to waste on what I know can't be done.

Vertical works just the same has horizontal regards work holding and part cutout.? All material needs clamping even when horizontal, esp the cut part. You wouldn't leave a cut part unfastened so it could be dragged back into the cutter so you'd clamp,stick,tab etc to hold in place which applies just same when vertical.
The space saving is considerable when the machine size rise's but even a small machine could be large space saving when hung off a spare wall thats just holding up a roof.

Look round your workshop and find a wall with enough space for slightly deeper than your typical Kitchen double top cupboard and thats your CNC 600x600 machine.
Now look again and find a space on the floor or bench for 1sq meter with space in front or at side to stand and load/operate machine and see the difference.? . . . . What was you saying about no space saving.!!

Oh and 90% the chips fall away so you can sell that great big Vac needed before and get a nice small one for the bit thats left.! Put a simple frame with doors on front and it's clean and quite with minimal impact on workshop.