How to Make a Three Axis CNC Machine (Cheaply and Easily)

Step 2 Specs.

I'm afraid I don't have the space (or the expertise for that matter) to go into the fundamentals of CNC here but there is one websites in particular I found quite useful in my research.

CNCZone.com - A discussion forum which has a DIY machine section which is a wealth of knowledge ( direct link )

Machine Details:

Cutting Head: Dremel or Dremel Type Tool

Axis Details:

X Axis
travel: 14"
Drive: Toothed Timing Belt
Speed: 60" min
Acceleration: 1" per second²
Resolution: 1/2000"
Pulses Per inch: 2001

Y Axis
Travel: 10"
Drive: Toothed Timing Belt
Speed: 60" min
Acceleration: 1" per second²
Resolution: 1/2000"
Pulses Per inch: 2001

Z Axis (up down)
Travel: 4"
Drive: Threaded Rod
Acceleration: .2" per second²
Speed: 12" min
Resolution: 1/8000"
Pulses Per Inch: 8000

Comments

[outland86]

Hi Everyone

We have a set of pre cut wood parts avaialble for this Router with all the edge boring done and cut professionally on a KOMO CNC..absolutely precise parts.
from MDF. an inexpensive option to ensure you have an accurate machine when you are done...www.makecnc.com

some minor improvments and modifications have been made to the original design.

also for FREE....FREE....FREE

you can download free from our site an extensive and comprehensive set of plans for this machine that includes the DXF files of all parts drawn by a professional draughtman with dogbone fillets added to allow you to cut the parts uisng a CNC router..as well as a set of drawings ready to laser cut.
a parts list and indervidual part drawings including metal parts belts etc to make building this cool little machine a breeze..hindreds of hours of work went into these plans and cut files and they are your for free..no obligations.
www.makecnc.com

[gathem]

Is it possible to extend the Z-axis beyond 4"?
Is it simply a matter of modifying everything to be taller? Is software going to be an issue? Any advice would be great.

Thanks for posting this! I cant wait to build one.

[waynerod]

Hi,
When you say X Axis Travel, you mean the distance the Dremel travels along the X axis?

Or do you mean that is the horizontal part of the base?

I guess it might be the first one right?

-Wayne Rodrigues.

[waynerod]

Could anyone please tell me the measurements for the base??

Please......

-Wayne Rodrigues.

[katzsplat]

Wayne,

The footprint of this machine is 31 inches on the X Axis, 25 inches on the Y axis.  The X Axis travel is about 14.5 inches, and the Y Axis travel is about 10 inches.  

You can learn more about the dimensions if you download my Sketchup 3D model of this machine, which I posted down below.

[neetrihtneves]

SU Model? Down below where? I could seriously dig that!

[neetrihtneves]

Duh, I found it in SU 3D Warehouse! Nevermind!!

[waynerod]

Thanks a lot!!!

[tony youness]

can i have this picture on dwg or dxf file

[outland86]

www.makecnc.com full free downloadble DXF ready to cut extensive assembly guides all free

[6raleyh]

Hi, I've tried to download the free plans but can't as when they are half downloaded it says the file is invalid. Any help would be greatly appreciated, could you e-mail them to me?
Thanks

[clout026]

has anyone tried extending the x-axis as well?  would this be a difficult change?

[tony youness]

thank you for offering this site .This is really amazing .
please can I have the all dimensions for the base .

[Sanger35]

Hi; Just starting on my CNC and look forward to looking over your site. I also purchased the spacers for the roller blade bearings, then cut each one in half to make two pieces. The bearings will ride on the spacers and a 1/4" bolt attaches them to stock.

[Mansheep22]

This is the page where the software and instructions are said to be... i don't see it =/ is it on another page?

[MikleJayWox]

I gather this set has been updated, sources of control boards, motors and software are now on step 4. Mike

[MikleJayWox]

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[tom.ettore]

Stuart, Built according to your parts list but resolution is 1/125" based on pulley and belt teeth per inch. Is this correct with this setup? I measured approximately 12.5 teeth per inch on belt which results in 125 steps per inch. Do I need to change the drive system for better resolution?

[skaar]

the amount of teeth on a belt shouldn't matter, treat it as smooth, and the pulleys as round, unless you only have one belt tooth contacting the pulley. even then there's marginal contact conditions that make number of teeth on the belt irrelevant.

[tom.ettore]

I appreciate your response. If you build the machine with the parts ordered you will see you have to scale for both the x and y axis to 125 steps per inch. I have been running the machine for several months. The z axis resolution is 1/4000" and the x and y axis is .008" resolution or 1/125. Keep in mind the steppers are 200 steps per revolution which on the pulley size and number of teeth on the pulley(20) gives you this resolution

[tom.ettore]

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[schweinhund227]

Tom.Ettore..... the Y bearings are to permit the Big Bolts to rotate freely ! that's why he uses a Large bolt with a "smooth Shank" ! versus an all thread Bolt.... Don't over tighten ! or you will Rip the Bearings MDF pockets... Same goes for the X Cart Bearings... Cawink ! #8 Bolts are Metric !!! that's all ! 3/8 or 11/32 would do ! if in a Bind !!!

[cmjm]

I LIKE YOUR PROJECT, CAN I EXTEND IN THE Y AXIS TO 24"?

[oomlout]

there should be no problems with this (I have actually made a version with a 60" Y axis which worked quite well). you just need to extend the base and Y axis runners.