Mistakes were made. After witnessing a friend build a 3D printer and a few google searches, I was inspired to build a cnc router. My urge to jump into the project resulted in some impulse buys on ebay that I am not to proud of. Not having a large budget, I decided to work with what I had and see if I could see it through to a functional machine and maybe learn something along the way. I can say, I already have dreams for a second machine, plasma cutter. On to the details...
Goals: routing hardwoods, plastics, acrylics, and learning.
(edit)Footprint: 28" x 18" and approx. 24" tall.
Impulse buys:
Fully supported linear rail pairs SBR12 650mm, 440mm, 200mm (the mistake was 12mm rails instead of 16mm, after hours on ebay, late into the night, not paying attention...ya know)
Nema 23 Steppers 23HS8430 from RATTM 3A, 270in/0z, 3.5mH. Came with 24VDC, 15A power supply and the dreaded TB6560 4 axis driver board (TB6560-4v3 red board)
ACME lead screws 1/2-10 1start with delrin anti-backlash nuts from IMService (later upgraded to 1/2-10 5start)
About $100 in steel from local supplier.
$60 in fasteners from Mcmaster ( whose warehouse I just discovered is about 20 mins from my work)
Base frame is 2" x 1" x 1/8" rectangular tube steel.
Top frame to support waste board is 1" square tube 16ga i believe.
All plates are 3/16" plate steel.
I have been continually torn between welding pieces together for rigidity and bolting together to be more modular and ease of maintenance.
Any feedback on design is greatly appreciated. I was already contemplating welding some angle to the gantry uprights for more rigidity. Gantry rail support is 2" square tube steel, 1/8" wall.
Going to try to post some pics... and I'll try and post some of what I have constructed so far.