We build a homemade CNC milling machine. This difficult installation process
The question of how to make a CNC machine can be answered briefly. Knowing about what's homemade milling machine CNC, in general, is a complex device with a complex structure, it is desirable for the designer:
- get drawings;
- purchase reliable components and fasteners;
- prepare a good tool;
- have a CNC lathe and drill on hand to quickly produce.
It does not hurt to watch the video - a kind of instruction, teaching - where to start. And I’ll start with preparation, I’ll buy everything I need, I’ll deal with the drawing - here the right decision budding designer. That's why preparatory stage, preceding the assembly, is very important.
Works of the preparatory stage
To make a homemade CNC for milling, there are two options:
- You take a ready-made running set of parts (specially selected units), from which we assemble the equipment ourselves.
- Find (make) all the components and start assembling the CNC machine with your own hands, which would meet all the requirements.
It is important to decide on the purpose, size and design (how to do without a drawing homemade machine CNC), find schemes for its manufacture, purchase or manufacture some of the parts that are needed for this, acquire lead screws.
If you decide to create a CNC machine with your own hands and do without ready-made kits components and mechanisms, fasteners, you need the scheme assembled according to which the machine will work.
Usually, finding circuit diagram devices, first they model all the details of the machine, prepare technical drawings, and then use them on turning and milling machines (sometimes it is necessary to use a drilling machine) to make components from plywood or aluminum. Most often, work surfaces (also called a desktop) are plywood with a thickness of 18 mm.
Assembly of some important machine components
In the machine that you started to assemble with your own hands, it is necessary to provide for a number of critical nodes that ensure the vertical movement of the working tool. In this list:
- screw transmission - rotation is transmitted using a toothed belt. It is good because it does not slip on the pulleys, evenly transferring forces to the shaft of the milling equipment;
- if a stepper motor (SM) is used for a mini-machine, it is advisable to take a carriage from a larger printer model - more powerful; old dot matrix printers had fairly powerful electric motors;
- for a three-coordinate device, you need three step motors. Well, if there are 5 control wires in each, the functionality of the mini-machine will increase. It is worth evaluating the magnitude of the parameters: supply voltage, winding resistance and the rotation angle of the stepper motor in one step. To connect each stepper motor, a separate controller is needed;
- with the help of screws, the rotational movement from the stepper motor is converted into a linear one. To achieve high accuracy, many consider it necessary to have ball screws (ball screws), but this component is not cheap. When choosing a set of nuts and mounting screws for mounting blocks, they are chosen with plastic inserts, this reduces friction and eliminates backlash;
- instead of a stepper motor, you can take a conventional electric motor, after a little refinement;
- vertical axis, which provides movement of the tool in 3D, covering the entire coordinate table. It is made from aluminum plate. It is important that the dimensions of the axis are adjusted to the dimensions of the device. In the presence of muffle furnace, the axis can be cast according to the dimensions of the drawings.
Below is a drawing made in three projections: side, rear, and top view.
Maximum attention - bed
The necessary rigidity to the machine is provided by the frame. A movable portal, a system of rail guides, a stepper motor, a work surface, a Z axis and a spindle are installed on it.
For example, one of the creators of a home-made CNC machine made the supporting frame from aluminum profile Maytec - two parts (section 40x80 mm) and two end plates 10 mm thick from the same material, connecting the elements with aluminum corners. The design is reinforced, inside the frame a frame is made of smaller profiles in the shape of a square.
The bed is mounted without the use of welded joints (welds are poorly able to withstand vibration loads). It is better to use T-nuts as fasteners. On the end plates, a bearing block is provided for installing the lead screw. You will need a plain bearing and a spindle bearing.
The craftsman determined the main task of the hand-made CNC machine to be the manufacture of aluminum parts. Since workpieces with a maximum thickness of 60 mm were suitable for him, he made a portal clearance of 125 mm (this is the distance from the upper transverse beam to the working surface).
This difficult installation process
It is better to assemble home-made CNC machines, after preparing the components, strictly according to the drawing, so that they work. The assembly process, using lead screws, should be performed in the following sequence:
- a knowledgeable craftsman begins by attaching the first two step motors to the body - behind the vertical axis of the equipment. One is responsible for horizontal movement milling head(rail guides), and the second for moving in a vertical plane;
- a movable portal moving along the X axis carries milling spindle and caliper (z-axis). The higher the portal, the larger the workpiece can be processed. But at a high portal, in the process of processing, resistance to emerging loads decreases;
- front, rear, top, middle and bottom plates are used to fasten Z-axis stepper motors, linear guides. In the same place, make a lodgement for the milling spindle;
- the drive is assembled from carefully selected nuts and studs. To fix the motor shaft and attach it to the stud, use the rubber winding of a thick electric cable. Screws inserted into the nylon sleeve can be used as a retainer.
Then the assembly of the remaining components and assemblies of the homemade begins.
We mount the electronic filling of the machine
To make a CNC machine with your own hands and control it, you need to operate with correctly selected numerical control, high-quality printed circuit boards and electronic components (especially if they are Chinese), which will allow you to implement everything on a CNC machine functionality, processing a part of a complex configuration.
In order to avoid problems in management, home-made CNC machines, among the nodes, have the following mandatory:
- stepper motors, some stopped like Nema;
- LPT port through which the CNC control unit can be connected to the machine;
- drivers for controllers, they are installed on a mini-milling machine, connected in accordance with the diagram;
- switching boards (controllers);
- a 36V power supply unit with a step-down transformer that converts to 5V to power the control circuit;
- laptop or PC;
- emergency stop button.
Only after that, the CNC machines are tested (at the same time, the craftsman will make a test run by downloading all the programs), the existing shortcomings are identified and eliminated.
Instead of a conclusion
As you can see, making a CNC that is not inferior to Chinese models is real. Having made a set of spare parts with the right size, having high-quality bearings and enough fasteners for assembly, this task is within the power of those who are interested in software engineering. It won't take long to find an example.
In the photo below - some samples of machine tools with numerical control, which are made by the same craftsmen, not professionals. Not a single detail was done hastily, arbitrary size, and suitable for the block with great accuracy, with careful alignment of the axes, using high-quality lead screws and durable bearings. The statement is true: as you collect, so you will work.
On the CNC, processing of an duralumin blank is performed. Such a machine, which was assembled by a craftsman, can perform a lot of milling work.
Machine tools equipped with numerical software (CNC) are presented in the form of modern equipment for cutting, turning, drilling or grinding metal, plywood, foam wood and other materials.
Built-in electronics on the base printed circuit boards"Arduino" provides maximum automation of work.
1 What is a CNC machine?
CNC machines based on Arduino printed circuit boards are capable of automatically steplessly changing the spindle speed, as well as the feed rate of calipers, tables and other mechanisms. Auxiliary elements of the CNC machine automatically takes the desired position, and can be used to cut plywood or aluminum profile.
In devices based on printed circuit boards "Arduino" cutting tool(preset) is also changed automatically.
In CNC devices based on Arduino printed circuit boards, all commands are given through the controller.
The controller receives signals from the program carrier. For such plywood cutting equipment, metal profiles or foam, the program carriers are cams, stops or copiers.
The signal received from the program carrier through the controller gives a command to the automatic, semi-automatic or copying machine. If it is necessary to change a sheet of plywood or foam for cutting, then the cams or copiers are replaced by other elements.
Units with program control based on Arduino boards use punched tapes, punched cards or magnetic tapes which contains all the necessary information. With the use of Arduino boards, the entire process of cutting plywood, foam or other material is fully automated, one hundred and minimizes labor costs.
It is worth noting that assembling a CNC machine for cutting plywood or foam based on Arduino boards you can do it yourself without much difficulty. Control in CNC units based on Arduino is carried out by a controller that transmits both technological and dimensional information.
Using CNC plasma cutters based on Arduino boards, you can free big number universal equipment and at the same time increase labor productivity. The main advantages of do-it-yourself Arduino-based machines are expressed in:
- high (compared to manual machines) performance;
- the flexibility of versatile equipment combined with precision;
- reducing the need to attract qualified specialists to work;
- the possibility of manufacturing interchangeable parts according to one program;
- reduced preparation time for the manufacture of new parts;
- the ability to make a machine with your own hands.
1.1 The process of the CNC milling machine (video)
1.2 Varieties of CNC machines
The presented units for cutting plywood or foam plastic, using Arduino boards for operation, are divided into classes according to:
- technological possibilities;
- the principle of tool change;
- workpiece change method.
Any class of such equipment can be made by hand, and Arduino electronics provide maximum automation of the workflow. Along with classes, machines can be:
- turning;
- drilling and boring;
- milling;
- grinding;
- machines of the electrophysical series;
- multipurpose.
Turning units based on "Arduino" can process the outer and inner surfaces of various parts.
The rotation of workpieces can be carried out both in rectilinear and curvilinear contours. The device is also designed for cutting outer and internal thread. Milling units based on "Arduino" are designed for milling simple and complex body-type parts.
In addition, they can perform drilling and boring. Grinding machines, which can also be DIY can be applied to finishing details.
Depending on the type of treated surfaces, the aggregates can be:
- surface grinding;
- internal grinding;
- spline grinding.
Multi-purpose units can be used for cutting plywood or foam, to perform drilling, milling, boring and turning parts. Before you make a CNC machine with your own hands, it is important to consider that the equipment is also divided according to the method of changing the tool. Replacement can be made:
- manually;
- automatically in the turret;
- automatically in the store.
If the electronics (controller) can provide automatic workpiece change using special storage devices, then the machine can long time work without operator intervention.
In order to make the presented unit for cutting plywood or polystyrene with your own hands, you need to prepare the initial equipment. A used one may be suitable for this.
In it, the working body is replaced by a cutter. In addition, you can make a mechanism with your own hands from the carriages of an old printer.
This will allow the working cutter to move in the direction of two planes. Next, the electronics are connected to the structure, key element which is the controller and board "Arduino".
The assembly scheme allows you to do it yourself homemade unit CNC automatic. Such equipment may be designed for cutting plastic, foam, plywood or thin metal. In order for the device to be able to perform more complex types work, you need not only a controller, but also a stepper motor.
It should have high power performance - at least 40-50 watts. It is recommended to use a conventional electric motor, since with its use there will be no need to create a screw gear, and the controller will provide timely delivery of commands.
The required force on the transmission shaft in a homemade device must be transmitted by means of toothed belts. If a homemade CNC machine will use carriages from printers to move the working cutter, then for this purpose it is necessary to select parts from large printers.
The basis of the future unit can serve as a rectangular beam, which must be firmly fixed on the rails. The frame must be different. a high degree rigidity, but welding is not recommended. It is better to use a bolted connection.
Welding seams will be subject to deformation due to constant loads during operation of the machine. The fastening elements are destroyed in this case, which will lead to a failure of the settings, and the controller will not work correctly.
2.1 About stepper motor calipers and rails
The CNC unit assembled by yourself must be equipped with stepper motors. As mentioned above, it is best to use engines from old dot matrix printers to assemble the unit.
For efficient operation of the device will need three separate motors step type. It is recommended to use motors with five separate control wires. This will increase the functionality homemade apparatus several times.
When selecting motors for a future machine, you need to know the number of degrees per step, the operating voltage indicator and the winding resistance. Subsequently, this will help to correctly configure all the software.
The ball motor shaft is fastened using a rubber cable covered with a thick winding. In addition, using such a cable, you can connect the motor to the running stud. The bed can be made of plastic with a thickness of 10-12 mm.
Along with plastic, it is possible to use aluminum or organic glass.
The leading parts of the frame are fastened with self-tapping screws, and when using wood, elements can be fastened with PVA glue. The guides are steel bars with a cross section of 12 mm and a length of 20 mm. There are 2 rods for each axle.
The support is made of textolite, its dimensions should be 30 × 100x40 cm. Stepper motors are installed using fasteners.
Fasteners can be made using steel leaf type. The thickness of the sheet should be 2-3 mm. Next, the screw is connected to the axis of the stepper motor through a flexible shaft. For this purpose, you can use a regular rubber hose.
In the home workshop, it is desirable to have the simplest desktop machines- drilling, grinding, etc. But if you need to perform precise work, then you can not do without a milling unit. To do this, you can make a simple CNC with your own hands. This can be done in two ways:
A homemade CNC machine is necessary for precise drilling or cutting, as well as turning parts.
- buy a kit for the manufacture of a similar design;
- make such a cutter yourself.
The first way is associated with certain financial costs. Branded machines for home use have a relatively high price and not everyone can afford.
CNC requires certain knowledge and possession of the tool to create it.
Where to start designing a homemade router?
To get started, choose suitable scheme unit. You can take an ordinary drilling machine as a basis, but instead of a drill, use a cutter as a working tool. Naturally, it will be necessary to think over the mechanism of its movement in three planes. Usually, for small units, redesigned carriages from the printer are used, with the help of which the working tool can move in two planes. This is also beneficial in terms of connecting software to work in automatic mode. But such designs have one drawback - they allow you to process wood, plastic and thin sheets of metal (1-2 mm).
Therefore, for more serious CNC work, the router must have stepper motors with increased power. They can be made by modifying standard electric motors of this class, which will allow us to abandon the use of a screw transmission while maintaining all its advantages. To transfer force to the shaft, it is best to use toothed belts.
When using homemade carriages to move the working tool, you can use parts from large printers. One of the improvised designs of a similar type.
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Making a CNC router on your own
This machine in its design resembles samples of industrial units. Its basis is a low beam rectangular section directly attached to the rails. This allows you to get the desired rigidity of the structure and minimize welding work when creating a cutter.
A metal square pipe with a side of 75-85 mm was taken as the basis. For fastening to the guides, it is necessary to use soles of a rectangular type 65 x 25 mm. This allows you to abandon welding at this stage of work and will help with fine-tuning the router. This is also necessary for the correct setting of angles of 90 degrees. The main beam and the sole are connected using 4 M6 screws, which must be tightened to the stop in order to obtain the desired rigidity. This will eliminate the backlash, although deflection of the guides under heavy load and malfunctions in the plain bearings are possible (you can use any suitable ones, even Chinese ones).
The vertical lifting of the working tool is carried out using a screw gear, and a toothed belt is used to return rotation to the lead screw. This makes it possible to avoid beats, lower the center of gravity of the unit and save space. The vertical axis itself is made of aluminum plate. It must be processed on a milling machine according to the dimensions needed for a home-made machine. If there is a muffle furnace in the home workshop, then it can be cast from aluminum.
Behind the axis, two stepper motors must be installed: the first rotates the lead screw for vertical displacement, and the second provides horizontal movement. Rotation is transmitted by belts. Some parts must be ordered from a turner if you do not have your own lathe.
After the manufacture of all elements and assembly, it is necessary to check the CNC router in operation, using manual control. After that, you need to deal with stepper motor controllers and software. If there is no relevant knowledge, then you can contact a company that has good programmers on staff.
You may also need a metal frame or artificial stone, which is better to order according to the desired size.
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What stepper motors can a homemade CNC have?
These are the most important elements future cutter.
In order to get such electric motors, it is necessary to disassemble old dot matrix printers (for example, Epson). Inside such machines there are two stepper motors and good hardened steel rods. To build a router, you need to have 3 electric motors, so you have to disassemble 2 printers.
In order to simplify the production of operations on a homemade machine, it is best to use motors with 5-6 control wires: they have good torque and are easy to work with. For the correct program setting, you need to know the number of their degrees per step, operating voltage and winding resistance.
To drive a homemade CNC, a nut and a stud are usually used. To fix the shaft of a stepper motor, a piece of thick-walled rubber cable is usually used; with its help, the electric motor is attached to the stud. Self-made bushings with a screw are used as clamps. They are made of nylon, using a drill and a file.
To make a three-dimensional drawing on wooden surface factory CNC milling machines for wood are used. It is difficult to make a similar mini-model with your own hands at home, but it is possible with a detailed study of the design. To do this, you need to understand the specifics, choose the right components and configure them.
The principle of operation of the milling machine
Modern woodworking equipment with a numerical control unit is designed to form a complex pattern on wood. The design must contain a mechanical electronic part. In combination, they will automate the work process as much as possible.
To make a desktop on wood with your own hands, you should familiarize yourself with the main components. The cutting element is a cutter, which is installed in a spindle located on the motor shaft. This design is attached to the bed. It can move along two coordinate axes - x; y. To fix the workpiece, it is necessary to make a support table.
The electronic control unit is connected to step motors. They provide displacement of the carriage relative to the part. Using this technology, you can make 3D drawings on a wooden surface.
The sequence of operation of mini-equipment with CNC, which you can make yourself.
- Writing a program according to which the sequence of movements of the cutting part will be performed. To do this, it is best to use special software systems designed for adaptation in home-made models.
- Setting the workpiece on the table.
- Program output to the CNC.
- Turning on equipment, monitoring the implementation of automatic actions.
To achieve maximum automation of work in 3D mode, you will need to correctly draw up a diagram and select the appropriate components. Experts recommend studying factory models before making a mini-milling machine with your own hands.
To create complex patterns and patterns on a wooden surface, you will need several types of cutters. Some of them you can do yourself, but for fine work, you should purchase factory ones.
Scheme of a homemade milling machine with numerical control
The hardest part is choosing optimal scheme manufacturing. It depends on the dimensions of the workpiece and the degree of its processing. For home use, it is advisable to make a do-it-yourself desktop that will have the optimal number of functions.
The best option is the manufacture of two carriages that will move along the x coordinate axes; y. It is best to use ground steel bars as a base. Carriages will be mounted on them. To create a transmission, stepper motors and screws with rolling bearings are needed.
For maximum automation of the process in the design of a do-it-yourself mini CNC wood milling machine, it is necessary to think over the electronic part in detail. Conventionally, it consists of the following components:
- power unit. It is necessary to supply electricity to stepper motors and the controller chip. Often use the model 12v 3A;
- controller. It is designed to give commands to electric motors. For the operation of a do-it-yourself mini CNC milling machine, a simple circuit is enough to control the functioning of three motors;
- driver. It is also an element of regulation of the operation of the moving part of the structure.
The advantage of this complex is the ability to import executable files of the most common formats. Using a special application, you can create a three-dimensional drawing of a part for preliminary analysis. Stepper motors will run at a certain stroke rate. But for this you need to make technical specifications to the control program.
Choice of accessories for CNC milling machine
The next step is to select the components to build. homemade equipment. The best option is to use improvised means. As a basis for desktop models of a 3D machine, you can use wood, aluminum or plexiglass.
For correct operation of the entire complex, it is necessary to develop the design of calipers. During their movement, there should be no vibrations, this can lead to inaccurate milling. Therefore, before assembly, all components are checked for compatibility with each other.
- guides. Polished steel bars with a diameter of 12 mm are used. The length for the x-axis is 200mm, for the y-axis it is 90mm;
- caliper. Textolite is the best option. The usual size of the platform is 25*100*45 mm;
- stepper motors. Experts recommend using models from a 24v, 5A printer. Unlike disk drives, they have more power;
- cutter block. It can also be made from textolite. The configuration directly depends on the available tool.
The power supply is best assembled from the factory. At self-manufacturing errors are possible, which subsequently affect the operation of all equipment.
The procedure for manufacturing a CNC milling machine
After selecting all the components, you can make a desktop mini CNC wood router yourself with your own hands. All elements are preliminarily checked again, their dimensions and quality are checked.
To fix the elements of the equipment, it is necessary to use special fasteners. Their configuration and shape depend on the chosen scheme.
The procedure for assembling desktop mini CNC equipment for wood with a 3D processing function.
- Installation of caliper guides, their fixation on the side parts of the structure. These blocks are not installed on the base yet.
- Lapping of calipers. They must be moved along the guides until a smooth ride is obtained.
- Tightening the bolts to fix the calipers.
- Attaching components to the base of the equipment.
- Installation of lead screws together with couplings.
- Installation of drive motors. They are attached to the coupling screws.
The electronic part is located in a separate block. This helps to reduce the likelihood of malfunction during the operation of the router. Also important point is the choice of work surface for the installation of equipment. It must be level, since the level adjustment bolts are not provided in the design.
After that, you can start trial tests. It is recommended to set up a simple wood milling program first. During operation, it is necessary to check each cutter pass - the depth and width of processing, especially in the 3D mode.
The video shows an example of how to assemble a large do-it-yourself CNC milling machine:
Examples of drawings and homemade designs
Nowadays, the production of small parts made of wood, for various structures, is becoming more and more frequent. Also in stores you can find a variety of beautiful three-dimensional paintings made on wood canvas. Such operations are performed using numerically controlled milling machines. The accuracy of parts or pictures made of wood is achieved through computer control, a specialized program.
The CNC wood router is a highly professional machine built with the latest technology.
All the work consists in processing with a special wood cutter, which can be used to cut small parts from wood material, creating beautiful drawings. The work is carried out by supplying signals to stepper motors, which, in turn, move the router along three axes.
Due to this, high-precision processing occurs. As a rule, such work cannot be done manually with such high quality. Therefore, CNC wood milling machines are a great find for carpenters.
purpose
Since ancient times, milling was intended for planing work with wood. But the engine of progress is moving strictly forward in our time, numerical control has been created for such machines. At this stage, the milling machine can perform a variety of actions that relate to wood processing:
- Cutting various parts from solid wood.
- Cutting off excess parts of the workpiece.
- Ability to make grooves and holes of various diameters.
- Drawing complex ornaments using a cutter.
- 3D Three-dimensional images on solid wood.
- Complete furniture manufacturing and much more.
Whatever the task, it will be carried out with high precision and accuracy.
Tip: When working on homemade CNC equipment, you need to smoothly remove the thickness of the wood, otherwise your part will be damaged or burned by the cutter!
Variety
In today's technological world, there are the following types milling machines for wood with numerical control:
Stationary
These machines are placed in industries, as they are huge in size and weight. But such equipment is capable of manufacturing products in large volumes.
Manual
it homemade devices or devices from ready-made kits. These machines can be safely installed in your garage or your own workshop. These include the following subspecies:
Equipment using portal, with numerical control
Directly, the milling cutter itself is able to move along two Cartesian axes X and Z. This type of machine has high rigidity when bending. The design of the portal milling machine with numerical control is quite simple in its execution. Many carpenters begin their knowledge of CNC machines from this subtype. However, in this case, the size of the workpiece will be limited by the size of the portal itself.
Numerically controlled and mobile gantry
The construction of this subtype is a little more complicated.
mobile portal
It is this type that moves the router along all three Cartesian axes, along X, Z and Y. In this case, it will be necessary to use a solid guide for the X axis, since all the heavy load will be directed to it.
With a mobile portal, it is very convenient for creating printed circuit boards. On the Y axis, it is possible to process long parts.
The cutter moves along the Z axis.
Machine on which the milling part is able to move in a vertical direction
This subtype is usually used when refining production samples or when reworking drilling equipment in engraving and milling.
The working field, that is, the tabletop itself, has dimensions of 15x15 centimeters, which makes it impossible to process large parts.
This type is not very convenient to use.
Numerically controlled portalless
This type of machine is very complex in its design, but it is the most productive and convenient.
Workpieces can be processed up to five meters long, even if the X-axis is 20 centimeters.
This subtype is extremely unsuitable for the first experience, as it requires skills on this equipment.
Below we will consider the design of a hand-held CNC wood milling machine, we will analyze the principles of its operation. We learn how to do this brainchild and how such equipment is being adjusted.
Device and principle of operation
The main parts of the milling device are the following parts:
bed
Directly the design of the machine itself, on which all other parts are located.
caliper
A node that is a mount to support the movement of an automatic tool.
Desktop
The area where all the necessary work is done.
Spindle shaft or router
A tool that performs milling work.
Cutter for wood processing
A tool, or rather a device for a milling cutter, various sizes and forms by which wood is processed.
CNC
Let's just say the brain and heart of the whole structure. Software performs precise control of all work.
The work is in program management. A specialized program is installed on the computer, it is she who converts the circuits loaded into it into special codes, which the program distributes to the controller, and then to stepper motors. Stepper motors, in turn, move the milling cutter along the coordinate axes Z, Y, X, due to which the processing of the wooden workpiece takes place.
Choice of accessories
The main step in the invention homemade milling machine is the choice of component parts. After all, choosing bad material, something can go wrong in
An example of an assembly from an aluminum frame.
the work itself. Usually use simple materials such as: aluminum, wood (solid, MDF), plexiglass. For the correct and accurate operation of the entire structure, it is important to develop the entire design of the calipers.
Tip: Before assembly do it yourself, it is necessary to check all already prepared parts for compatibility.
Check if there are any snags that will interfere. And most importantly, to prevent various kinds of fluctuations, as this will directly lead to poor-quality milling.
There are some assignments for the selection of work items that will help in the creation, namely:
Guides
Scheme of CNC guides for a milling cutter.
For them, rods with a diameter of 12 millimeters are used. For the X axis, the length of the rod is 200 millimeters, and for the Y axis, the length is 90 millimeters.
The use of guides will allow high-precision installation of moving parts
caliper
Support for CNC milling machine.
Support assembly.
Textolite material can be used for these components. Pretty durable material of its kind. As a rule, the dimensions of the textolite pad are 25x100x45 millimeters.
Router locking block
An example of a frame for fixing a router.
You can also use a textolite frame. The dimensions directly depend on the tool you have.
Stepper motors or servo motors
Power Supply
Controller
An electronic board that distributes electricity to stepper motors to move them along axes.
Tip: When soldering the board, it is necessary to use capacitors and resistors in special SMD cases (aluminum, ceramics, and plastic are used to make cases for such parts). This will reduce the dimensions of the board, as well as the internal space in the design will be optimized.
Assembly
Scheme of a home-made machine with numerical control
The assembly will not take you too much time. The only thing is that the tuning process will be the longest in the entire manufacturing process.
To start
It is necessary to develop a diagram and drawings of the future numerical control machine.
If you do not want to do this, then you can download drawings from the Internet. For all sizes prepare all the necessary details.
Make all necessary holes
Designed for bearings and guides. The main thing is to keep everything required dimensions otherwise the operation of the machine will be disturbed. A diagram with a description of the location of the mechanisms is presented. She will let you get general idea especially if you are collecting it for the first time.
When all the elements and parts of the mechanism are ready for you, you can safely proceed with the assembly. The first step is to assemble the equipment frame.
frame
Must be geometrically correct. All corners should be even and equal. When the frame is ready, you can mount the guide axles, desktop, calipers. When these elements are installed, you can install a router or a spindle.
The last step remains - electronics. Installing the electronics is the main step in the assembly. A controller is connected to the stepper motors installed on the machine, which will be responsible for their operation.
Next, the controller is connected to a computer on which a special control program should already be installed. Widely applied trademark Arduino, which manufactures and supplies hardware equipment.
With everything connected and ready, it's time to run a test piece. Any wood that will not go beyond the desktop is suitable for this. If your workpiece has been processed and everything is in order, then you can proceed to the full-fledged manufacture of one or another milling product.
Safety
Safety with milling equipment is the foundation of the basics. If you do not take care of yourself, you can end up in the hospital with serious injuries. All safety rules are the same, but the most basic ones will be listed below:
- You must ground your equipment to avoid electric shock.
- Keep children away from the machine.
- Do not eat or drink on the desktop.
- Clothing should be appropriate.
- Do not process bulky parts that exceed the size of the desktop, machine equipment.
- Do not throw various tools to the working area of the machine.
- Do not use material (metal, plastic, etc.).
Video reviews
Video review of parts for the machine and where to get them:
Video review of the wood milling machine:
Video review of electronics