The DIYLILCNC project is a set of plans for an inexpensive, fully functional 3-axis CNC mill that can be built by an individual with basic shop skills and tool access.
CNC devices are used to fabricate physical objects with a high degree of precision. Some CNC devices, including the DIYLILCNC, feature a gantry-mounted cutting tool (like a router) that can move in two or more directions. The operation of the tool is controlled by a computer, which is tasked with translating a digital design into actual tool movement.
The DIYLILCNC can be built for around $700. This cost includes all the stock hardware and sheet material used in construction. CAD files for custom laser-cut parts are distributed along with the plans. Anyone with access to a laser cutter can use these files to fabricate all the panel parts necessary for construction; those without ready laser-cutter access can use local or online laser-cutting services. Some users have even adapted the files to be cut using another CNC mill.
Plans and instructions for building the DIYLILCNC are distributed freely and intended for wide distribution and modification with few restrictions. The plans are formatted to facilitate easy fabrication, especially for beginners. The DIYLILCNC can be built by an individual, a student group, or a class. Besides being immensely fun, building the DIYLILCNC is a great way to learn about motion control and CAD/CAM/CAE.
Specs
-Cutting bed size: ~12” x 14” x 2”
-Spindle speed: 0-35,000 RPM
-Total cost for hardware, sheet material, motors and driver board: ~$700
-Tested cut materials: foam, hardwood, acrylic, MDF, thin copper sheet
Licensing
The plans and source files for this project are released under a Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike license. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon our work and the work of previous authors, even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit all authors/contributors appropriately and license their new creations under identical terms. This license is often compared to open source software licenses. All new works based on the information presented below must carry the same license.
Attribution
Authors’ names and sponsor institutions referenced below must be attributed in any future modification or redistribution of these plans.
This project is a fusion of two instruction sets published by Stuart McFarlane/Oomlout: CNC1/desktop CNC router (2007) provided the basic design for a functioning CNC mill; How to Make Anything (Using Acrylic and Machine Screws) (2009) details a solution for constructing 90° joints in laser-cuts stock using simple hardware.
The plans and source files presented below were adapted and expanded by: Chris Reilly (www.rainbowlazer.com, www.chris-reilly.org) and Taylor Hokanson (www.taylorhokanson.com) with generous support in the form of funding and facilities from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).
CNC devices are used to fabricate physical objects with a high degree of precision. Some CNC devices, including the DIYLILCNC, feature a gantry-mounted cutting tool (like a router) that can move in two or more directions. The operation of the tool is controlled by a computer, which is tasked with translating a digital design into actual tool movement.
The DIYLILCNC can be built for around $700. This cost includes all the stock hardware and sheet material used in construction. CAD files for custom laser-cut parts are distributed along with the plans. Anyone with access to a laser cutter can use these files to fabricate all the panel parts necessary for construction; those without ready laser-cutter access can use local or online laser-cutting services. Some users have even adapted the files to be cut using another CNC mill.
Plans and instructions for building the DIYLILCNC are distributed freely and intended for wide distribution and modification with few restrictions. The plans are formatted to facilitate easy fabrication, especially for beginners. The DIYLILCNC can be built by an individual, a student group, or a class. Besides being immensely fun, building the DIYLILCNC is a great way to learn about motion control and CAD/CAM/CAE.
Specs
-Cutting bed size: ~12” x 14” x 2”
-Spindle speed: 0-35,000 RPM
-Total cost for hardware, sheet material, motors and driver board: ~$700
-Tested cut materials: foam, hardwood, acrylic, MDF, thin copper sheet
Licensing
The plans and source files for this project are released under a Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike license. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon our work and the work of previous authors, even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit all authors/contributors appropriately and license their new creations under identical terms. This license is often compared to open source software licenses. All new works based on the information presented below must carry the same license.
Attribution
Authors’ names and sponsor institutions referenced below must be attributed in any future modification or redistribution of these plans.
This project is a fusion of two instruction sets published by Stuart McFarlane/Oomlout: CNC1/desktop CNC router (2007) provided the basic design for a functioning CNC mill; How to Make Anything (Using Acrylic and Machine Screws) (2009) details a solution for constructing 90° joints in laser-cuts stock using simple hardware.
The plans and source files presented below were adapted and expanded by: Chris Reilly (www.rainbowlazer.com, www.chris-reilly.org) and Taylor Hokanson (www.taylorhokanson.com) with generous support in the form of funding and facilities from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).
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Very nice. I hope to make one soon, once i get a job.
-Graham, www.pypline.com -The online community for makers
hytekautomation.com
for a "bed of nails tester".
It looks like the following page also provides a method for making your own CNC mill:
http://sites.google.com/site/calculatingrisk/Home/cnc-mill
Has anyone tried building it?
Looks like a nice piece of machinery.
What is it that limits how hard of a material this CNC can work with?
And converting all the movement to threaded shafts.
Then using bigger motors, and maby something other then my dremel, then It might machine harder materials?
Just looking at designs that would work for me.
When you're working with harder metals like steel and iron, you'll need to use lots of coolant & lubricant during milling. This would pose some problems with the MDF, which generally doesn't respond well to moisture.
A more common way to incorporate CNC milling with harder materials is to mill a blank out of wax or plastic, then use that in a casting process, similar to what's outlined here: http://rainbowlazer.com/cnc-fabrication/laser-cutting/bronze-casting-from-laser-cut-forms/
Hope that helps!
Well then im thinking about (like I have read in the comments) using Acrylic instead if the MDF.
The Acrylic should have no trouble with the use of coolant/lubrication right? Or heat?
So structurally there should be no problem to mill steel?
I am realy liking the idea of being able to make things in steel or aluminium myself, making parts for for my RC car etc.
Casting of parts would also be cool to do, but I dont see myself doing that with smaller parts.
No problems involved with making changes to the design? Like height and size of the table?
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/chrisreilly/diylilcnc-20-open-source-plans-for-a-low-cost-cnc
The software will accommodate whatever size you want, however take a look at these posts on the DIYLICNC forum for some caveats on & examples of building bigger.
http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/expanding-bed-sizeworkable-cutting-area
http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/a-very-modified-bulid
Other than my file format problems, the instructions and parts list in this project are great!
What size is your laser bed? I think the longest piece is about 31". We're about to start work on V2, which will hopefully accommodate more of the laser cutters out there. Keep checking the site for updates.
Unfortunately, the laser cutter at TechShop RDU is 18" x 24" so this version is out. I'll definitely keep an eye on the site though.
Thanks for the great documentation on this project!
While both of those programs should be able to read the plans just fine, how about trying an intermediary program. There are actually many versions of the DXF format (and then some are binary and some are ASCII), so you might need something that can play well with the distributed files and your software. DraftSight is totally free and works really well. It's from the makers of Solidworks. It's out for both Mac and PC. Here's a link:
http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/download-draftsight/?xtor=SEC-6-GOO-[]-[]-S-[draftsight]
Open the files in DraftSight and then "save as..." them, making sure to use R2000-2002 Binary Drawing .DXF. (I know the years are right, the only thing you might need to change is to ASCII)
After that, the file should open in either piece of software just fine. Hope that helps!
http://www.ponoko.com/design-your-own/products/diylilcnc-version-1-0-2-no-part-names--4585
Could you use the DIYLILCNC to cut the panel parts for a second (third, etc.) DIYLILCNC instead of a laser cutter?
This one is nice, I like it!
holly cow
http://cgi.ebay.de/CNC-2520-Router-Engraver-Drilling-and-Milling-Machine-/230569005568?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35aefbd200
real thing
$780 with shipping