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Challenge portable CNC Router

Blacksheep32

This challenge comes from ideas from this thread

 

Idea & Brain storming "adjustable size CNC" 1'x1' to 3'x3'

http://www.element14.com/community/thread/21466

 

A portable CNC wood router that straps onto a 4x8 plywood sheet (maybe ratcheting nylon straps), uses an umbilical to attach to a "dock" that provides power for x, y and plunge axis and holds the laptop.  Capable of cutting 2d shapes, not sure of what spec for the thickness of plywood.

 

Have at it!

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  • Wouldn't be a very good CNC. For one you have the instability of straps. Second you have the flexing and warping of the plywood regaurdless of the thickness. Not to mention what would you do to hold the plywood off the ground so your bit isn't plunging into other things. There is a whole lot of "wiggle room" in the whole idea that would lead to very poor cuts.

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  • Wouldn't be a very good CNC. For one you have the instability of straps. Second you have the flexing and warping of the plywood regaurdless of the thickness. Not to mention what would you do to hold the plywood off the ground so your bit isn't plunging into other things. There is a whole lot of "wiggle room" in the whole idea that would lead to very poor cuts.

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  • in reply to e14 Contributor

    You bring up a lot of good points.  I already had thought about deflection, however what are your thoughts on applying the motive force to the router base?  Most CNC units apply motion from the bridge.  I'm imagining a router base that you attach a commercial router to and the base has a group of wheels such:

    http://www.kornylak.com/wheels/omniwheel.html

    The straps help to keep the base in contact with the wood during plunging/cutting while also providing a frame of reference for cuts.  A unit built in this fashion would not be capable of edge to edge cutting, so saw horses could be placed in the "edge zone."  Now that I think of it, it would be kind of an inverted sheet metal CNC punch.  I think the real question is with the amount of waste it would generate.  What could be made to make it worth losing about 6-10" off each side in waste.  Good input thanks!