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

Former Member
Former Member over 12 years ago

I know I'm shooting for the moon here, but here is the background.

I live in an apartment, and space is tight. I hope to move into a home a couple of years from now after if finish school.

I am curious if it is possible to make a CNC that can be added too to make it work for a larger area.

For now I would only like to have a CNC for about 1'x1' area, but I think it would be cool to have a grid system that would allow you to add to it without to much effort.

So for starters the cnc would run accross block "1", and then add "A" so it would be 1'x2', and then add "B" and "2" so it would be a 2x2 grid.

I realize that the movement of the CNC would have to be based on chains or gear belts so you could add to it.

Any ideas on how to make this possible.

image

image is a google sketchup file that is attached.

Attachments:
adjustableCNC.skp.zip
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  • Blacksheep32
    0 Blacksheep32 over 12 years ago

    The makerslide has the capability to do what you are thinking combined with the Shapeoko

     

    https://www.inventables.com/technologies/desktop-cnc-mill-kits-shapeoko

     

    It really depends on what your use is for the tool.  You might be better off trying to find a Hackerspace if you intend to mill heavy or large metal objects.

     

    Good luck!

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  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 12 years ago

    I think it would be better to make it as wide as you will want it later and design it so you could make it longer in the future. This would solve the problem of the gantry not spanning the entire table. In other words start with 3'x1' instead of 1'x1'.

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  • phoenixcomm
    0 phoenixcomm over 12 years ago

    It sounds like a nightmare! every time you added a square you would need a new gantry and side rails..:(

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  • benheck
    0 benheck over 12 years ago

    Yeah probably best to build the largest size you can fit first. A good thumb of thumb is "anything that can fit through a doorway"

     

    -Ben

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  • Blacksheep32
    0 Blacksheep32 over 12 years ago

    I think you also need to consider what materials you'll be milling, and what kind of accuracy you're shooting for.  Any time you add parts or "couple together bridges" you add inherent inaccuracy by mean of things shifting, bending and loosening.

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  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 12 years ago

    Thanks for your help you guys.  You have given me some great ideas, and options.

    Since it is my first system. I also want to make it work for PCB etching(~1-4 mils accurancy).

    I'm also making it capable of milling softer metals.(2 hp motor).

     

    Thanks again.

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  • benheck
    0 benheck over 12 years ago in reply to Former Member

    PCB etching would be a great show concept!

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  • Blacksheep32
    0 Blacksheep32 over 12 years ago in reply to Former Member

    In that case, a design similar to this, might be the most flexible.  Not sure, but definitely an interesting problem!

    http://www.robotmatrix.org/images/CartesianRobotWorkSpace.gif

    http://www.robotmatrix.org/images/CartesianRobotWorkSpace.gif

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  • benheck
    0 benheck over 12 years ago in reply to Blacksheep32

    I've seen videos of CNC machines that clamp onto things, like huge steel plates in a factory, and CNC whatever surface they are on.

     

    Maybe something along those lines?

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