CNC Router Designs

Attached are my designs for the CNC Router we did in Episode 2. There are certainly things I would do differently now, but it did function. I used PVC plastic, but MDF is a popular material for this as well.

You may need to modify it depending on the physical size of the stepper motors. I don't like when I see homemade CNC machines with motors hanging off the ends, so I made mine in-line. The side effect is the design and spacing is more aggressively tight, so a larger motor might not fit.

The cutting motor is a Porter Cable Laminate router. You can get one at Farm & Fleet for around $100.

I'll post the designs for the Xbox 360 laptop probably in Episode 6. Also, will offer the plans for Portable Work Bench whenever it shows up, probably episode 4.

Attachments:

CNC.zip

Top Replies

Former Member over 15 years ago

what stepper motors are you using? I got some from spark fun and I was wondering if they would be powerful enough to run this machine.
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Former Member over 15 years ago

Ben, What ever became of the CNC you built. Have you been using it and are you happy with it? If you change anything what would that be?
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ckraft over 15 years ago in reply to Former Member

The SparkFun steppers won't be enough. For a CNC type machine you need lots of torque because you have to push a cutting tip around the material.

NEMA 23's at a minimum. Something with lots of torque, maybe 260 Oz In min.

You need drivers for the steppers too. Again what SparkFun sell's won't cut it. Something with a 24 volt supply and 6+ amps would probably work.

There is a ton of information out there on DIY CNC machines. Web sites, ebooks, just google DIY CNC or you can look here http://buildyourcnc.com.

The little steppers from SparkFun might have enough torque to push around a dremel but thats probably about it and that would probably be pushing it.

On the other hand if your interested in additive stuff then you don't need the torque. Projects like http://reprap.org are examples of that.

-- Chris
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killarshark33 over 15 years ago

Finally, portable workbench polans please show how to build these!
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Former Member over 14 years ago

when will you post the designs for the 360 laptop?
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Former Member over 14 years ago

I was wondering what the total cost was on this, where was the money spent the most the stepper motors or what? Has anyone built from this plan yet? what was your experience with it?
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weekendranger over 12 years ago

Ben,

I wanted to find out what you are using to cut the plywood. I know you are using a laser cutter but I wanted to know what model or at lest the model of the laser that you use if you home brewed your laser cutter. I am trying to put together a list of items to add to my rather small workshop and I wanted to see if I could build a CNC machine that used various cutting implements such as a router, laser, and possible even add in an additive feed head. Space is a premium in my 1929 home so I wanted to go as modular as possible. It appears I will have to have over kill on the motors and spec them out for CNC routing. Wanted to spend a lot of time researching prior to spending any money though. Thanks for the site and show, I can't get enough and my wife can't give me the "nerd eye" enough either when she sees me watching!

Thank you,
Jeremy
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