DIY MDF CNC Machine 36x22

The design I'm gonna present is a DIY CNC machine made with MDF board.
This design has been made by one of my friend and I have built one exactly like his. So we currently have 2 machines like this one.

This is my first instructable so maybe there will be a couple of things missing, please feel free to ask or post comments.

If you are planning to make one like that, please send me picture of the final results so I can add it to this page.

**This machine is a derivative of the machine you can find on**
http://www.buildyourcnc.com/cnckitintro.aspx



*** NEW FILES JUST ARRIVED ***
I've done all the drawing with METRIC measurement and more precise parts identification. I Had some request for metric measurements.
I will probably upgrade the imperial one soon, so you're gonna have the exact same drawings and with more accurate information.

I have postes new pics on step 9 =)

Enjoy

Step 1: Having the plans

The machine was entirely built on the computer before it has been made, so here's the render of both versions i have

Comments

[Monteagus]

what would i need to replace to make it a laser engraver or cutter?

[MarcoGaspar]

Very nice work :D

Its possible to put online the 3d files of the project?

Best Regards,
Marco Gaspar

[Avadhut.Deshmukh]

I am using stepper motor Nema23Part
No.: 57BYGH420
Frame Size: NEMA23
Step Angle: 1.8 degree
Voltage: 3.6V
Current: 2.0 A/phase
Resistance: 1.8Ohm/phase
Inductance: 2.5mH/phase
Holding torque: 12.6Kg-cm 132oz-in , with unipolar (For Bipolar connecting, the holding torque is 185oz-in)
Rotor inertia: 300 g-cm2
Detent torque: 0.4 kg-cm
Number of wire leads: 6
Weight: 0.7KG
Length: 56mm !

does it hold Nema23 ?

[Spiky1987]

I think that is the bolt pattern I used.
Nema is a standart classification of frame size. It should work.

[Avadhut.Deshmukh]

stepper motor torque 12.6Kg

[nickloris]

Hi,
can i have the Catia V5 3d model of the CNC (or post it into this instructable)?

Thanks

[Brian Oldford]

Of all the designs I've seen of home brew gantry mills this seems to be the simplest in the size I want. I'm beginning to cut MDF tomorrow.

[Brian Oldford]

It starting to come together. I'm making some small alterations to use up some 7/8" MDF I have knocking around and glueing some of the joint which are unlikely to ever need to be separated. A minor point is unfortunately some of the Imperial drawings have metric dimensions.

[Brian Oldford]

Not too far off completing the build of the MDF chassis. I found I was able to dispense with the 1" angle and use 3/4" thoughout by carefully removing some of the MDF between the two V-grooves that the bearing "skates" fit onto. I've yet to decide what I'm going to do for drive screws. At the moment stainless all-thread (polished up with a green scouring pad) with home made anti-backlash Delrin nuts seems most likely. Then to think about the steppers, driver electronics and decide between Mach 3 or LinuxCNC. How do I load photos?

[Spiky1987]

Oh really ?! Sorry about that ... anyway it's quite easy to to the conversion, I'm sure you'll get over that hehe.

[Spiky1987]

Nice !! I want to see your pics when you'll get to the assembly part

[Spiky1987]

METRICS AND IMPERIALS, ALL NEW DRAWINGS ARE AVAILABLE !!!!!

[LordZ1978]

Thanks.

You are the MAN...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

[LordZ1978]

can you arange the pdf with metric sizes??
Thanks

[Spiky1987]

Done :)

[pfred2]

You machine reminds me a lot of this:

http://buildyourcnc.com/default.aspx

Well, his earliest one at least. good luck. I can't wait to see the video of you running. I'd like to see what your machine can do.

[jmaeding]

you could gain a few inches of width by cutting out a portion of the gantry side, then shifting it to the back. So the router could go almost all the way right and left (if looking from the front). I see many designs with bulky router holders, and they end up wasting a lot of work area from it.

[coolblue]

Hi. I really like this instructale tough its a bit incomplete. Very clean project. The problems i'm facing are the plans, they're incomplete. What i would like to ask you(more of a proposal) ... coy you give me the 3d model of the project and i'll give you my plans for a cnc and if you want ill make you all the complete drawings of all the pieces and gie them to you. You can mail me at [e-mail] or pm me. Thanks.

[bullschmidt]

I like this design a lot - one thing that seems to be missing is a good labeling from part name (ie from the pdf) to model mapping. Looks like a lot of parts need two copies, etc.

I would love to see more detailed assembly instructions, which would also help clear this up!

Kevin

[Spiky1987]

Personally, i made my real design with a 3d picture and those pdf. I just figured out the rest my self.

As I said on the other comment, I will complete it in a few moment but the essential is already there !!

Thanks

[bullschmidt]

Hey Spiky -
Spent more time looking through this, and the things I still can't figure out:

1. I don't see a pdf for the bottom portion (the base). While I can see the construction design, the dimensions (to ensure the rails are tight) would be helpful.

2. What is the mechanism to connect the leadscrews to the portion they drive? I can think of a couple of ways to hack it, but was curious what you did.

3. How is the rigidity? Looks like it could wobble a bit - how do you deal with that.
4. Any idea on the cutting speed?

All in all, I love the design. Simple, clean, & looks like it requires very minimal tools. Would love to see a lot more detail. Perhaps you could post the 3D plans in sketchup format?

Thanks - looks great.

[Spiky1987]

I have it in Catia format, i don't know if I can convert it in sketckup format or something else.

This is my first instructable and I did it quite fast. I'll try in the next few weeks to put more details on the leadscrew and mechanism.

I will also put letters or numbers on parts. If someone is panning to build one, dont hesitate to ask questions about parts you don't see. The the moment, i'm quite busy doing other thing but I promise that it will be all completed before the end of the summer.

Thanks to all

[algviper]

Great build!

I was wondering is there is much wobble and what kind of tolerance do you have.

[Spiky1987]

Hmm, I didn't test it yet !

[benfloom]

In the end what was the total cost of the build?

[ChaoBreeder]

Seconded

[Spiky1987]

MDF Board : 35$
Bearings : about 30$
Lead Screw and antibacklash nut : 135$
Power supply : 50
Steppers : 49$ each ( 150$ )
Gecko drive : roughly 250$
Bolt and cross dowel : 50$
Aluminium angles : 55$

Rough total : 755$

[sgraber]

What about the stepper motors, driving circuitry, and software?

[Hitm_n]

great question

[Spiky1987]

I'll add it, i'm using the Gecko drive with Mach3 software

[tinker234]

wow

[mr.incredible]

Rockin! Much simpler than a lot of other versions. I can't wait to build one myself.

[Spiky1987]

Drawing.RAR contains all the pdf