Arduino CNC Router

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi all,

I'm currently designing and building a complete home automation system, and in the process of designing I figured out I'd need some parts custom built, so after a fair bit of poking around it worked out that it would be cheaper (and a lot more fun) to build my own Arduino powered CNC Router.

After looking around for quite a while for a design I liked, it became apparent that most were either too expensive, or (and no disrespect meant by this) not very Aesthetically pleasing to my eye. So, I decided to design my own from the ground up.

I'm taking it slow and designing in sections to make sure I eliminate any 'compounding errors'.

The following series of images (Click for larger versions) show the build up of the base and Y-Axis.


First Stage of the Framework


Second Stage of the Framework


Steel Guide rods, Threaded Rods and Bearings.


Linear Bearings


Armature (x,z axes mount) mounts added to Threaded rods and Linear Bearings


Motors (No mounting system added as yet, but know what I'll be doing :))


Flat base to hold material


Image showing y axis travel


Base measurements (may need to be amended to accomodate material sizes I'm planning on using.

So there is stage one.

Materials are Pine for the frame, mdf for 'extra' bits and steel rods.

I'm fairly confident in the design, but pointers/tips would be extremely appreciated :slight_smile:

Thanks
TheMightySpud

2

TheMightySpud:
I'm currently designing and building a complete home automation system, and in the process of designing I figured out I'd need some parts custom built, so after a fair bit of poking around it worked out that it would be cheaper (and a lot more fun) to build my own Arduino powered CNC Router.

Park the home automation project for 12 months ?

...R
Stepper Motor Basics

3

Why two steppers for the y axis, why not a single in the center? Also how will you attach the x axis and z axis?

4

@Robin2, Nah not at all, I can work on the actual 'workings' of the home automation while doing this, it's just the final enclosures that will need to wait :slight_smile:

@EugineNine, Based on all of my reading/watching (granted there maybe salient details I've missed, which is why I'm still reading/watching things) the two motor setup seems to be more stable. Having said that, there is the possibility that there will be some very slight mismatch in the motor speeds which could potentially cause the two sides of the armature to become misaligned leading to a 'twist' in the x axis, so I do have a backup plan, but this is 'the ideal' design I'd like :slight_smile:

The X axis will be attached to an armature which will be attached to the flat pieces on top of the linear bearings, z axis will then be attached to the x axis (pics to follow, just working out a few details :))

TheMightySpud

5

TheMightySpud:
@Robin2, Nah not at all, I can work on the actual 'workings' of the home automation while doing this, it's just

I wonder if you are underestimating the time needed to get your CNC router to work. You need more than a machine. You also need software to translate drawings into movements. Perhaps you could design your machine to work with GRBL - that way all the programming would be done for you.

...R

6

My apologies Robin, I appear to have neglected that part in my initial description, I do intend to use GRBL, along with the Arduino GRBL shield etc. I found a video that shows a really simple workflow from drawing to cutting (using makercam.com and the Universal G-code sender)

If your'e interested :slight_smile:

CNC Drawing Video

The only difference in my usage would be using Illustrator and not sketchup to create the original patterns.

So from my understanding of everything, the hardest part of the whole thing (to me at least) is the design of the actual machine, and the eventual tweaking etc. :slight_smile:

TheMightySpud

7

I recommend spending some time on the DIY forum at cnczone.com