Following on the CMC Machine post where I tried to understand the flow from Computer Aided Design (CAD) to Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and finally to Computer Numerical Control (CNC) I felt I was in a good space to look at scratch building a Machine. Although it is possible to purchase a kit, its a lot more expensive and I was inspired by Gökmen ALTUNTAŞ to build a CNC Machine with a wood frame.
These are some of the DIY Kits I looked at, the cost was just too high for my pocket!
- Inventables X-Carve - USD2999
- QueenBee PRO - USD1000 (approx ex import duty, shipping and GTS)
Gokmen Altuntas CNC Machine Scratch Build
I thought a good place to start is watch and understand the two part Youtube series, then document the steps and finally cost it. At 600mm by 400mm working bed area I felt this is a pretty good first machine.
DIY CNC Router Part 1 // Building a Small CNC Router
DIY CNC Router Part 2 // Building a Small CNC Router
Building the machine
Trying to un-pack the videos into steps I can follow.
Base Frame / Y-Axis
The base frame is just a rectangle with the 12mm Linear Rail for the Y Axis.
X-Axis
Z-Axis
Bed
CNC Machine in action
Shopping List
Details on each of these parts is in this post.
| Group | Details | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Linear Guide Rail | 2x 600mm SBR12 Linear Guide Rail | |
| 2x 400mm SBR12 Linear Guide Rail | Ali Express | |
| Rods | 2x 12mm by 18cm rods | |
| Coupling Bore | x3 Aluminum Alloy 5x8 | Ali Express |
| Linear Bearing | 8x SBR12UU | Ali Express |
| 4x SCE12 | makershop.co.nz ~ SCS10UU :( | |
| Lead Screw & Nuts | 1x 600mm T8 Lead Screw with lead 4mm | |
| 1x 400mm T8 Lead Screw with lead 4mm | ||
| 1x 200mm T8 Lead Screw with lead 4mm | Ali Express | |
| x3 T8 Nut for lead screw with lead 4mm | Ali Express | |
| Bearings | x3 698 zz bearing | nzminiaturebearings.com |
| Stepper Motors | x3 NEMA 17 17HS4401 | trademe.co.nz |
| Ali Express | ||
| or x3 NEMA 17 High torque | trademe.co.nz | |
| Mounting Plate | x2 NEMA 17 42-Series | Ali Express |
| Drivers | x3 L298N Stepper Motor Driver | trademe.co.nz |
| Micro Controller | Arduino Uno + 4pcs DRV8825 Stepper-Motor Driver + CNC Shield v3 | trademe.co.nz |
| Arduino Uno + 4pcs A4988 Stepper-Motor Driver + CNC Shield v3 | trademe.co.nz | |
| Original 3018 CNC Control Board | Ali Express |