[mercaytor]

Hello all, I'm working out a design for my 1st CNC router/mill, and I'd like to get your input on what I've designed so far. Attached are images from AutoCad.

This will be a fixed-gantry machine with 200mm x 200mm x 100mm XYZ range. I'm going to use NEMA17 steppers for now (unsure of their torque ratings) with my DIY stepper controllers that I'm making with L298 drivers, probably to run at 24 or 36v and about 2A per stepper. Tool will be either a dremel or DC motor for high-speed spindle, and I plan to mill PCB's, wood, engraving aluminum, and cutting foam. Eventually I'd like to make a 3D plastic extruder to allow 3D printing.

Main frame material will be from 1x1" (25mm square) aluminum tube, about 3/16" thick wall, I think. I'm using this because I have access to it at about $2/ft (CDN$). Plates (shown in yellow) will be 1/4" aluminum.

Here's the other hardware I've ordered so far:

Linear motion
SBR20 supported rails 300mm length, 6x @ $15/ea shipped
New Linear Shaft Rail Support SBR20-L300mm Rails Support 1pcs SY1859 CNC | eBay

SBR20UU open linear bearing blocks, 8x @ $6/ea shipped
Pack of 4 SBR20UU 20mm Aluminum Open Linear Router Motion Bearing Shaft Block | eBay

1/4" ACME threaded rod, single start 4 lengths 36" each at $12/ea
4x ACME threaded nuts, about $2/ea
from local supplier

Steppers are NEMA17 36VDC x 1.2A, ordered 5x at $12/ea shipped
Lot of 5 Stepper motors NEMA 17-DIY CNC ROUTER MILL ROBOT REPRAP MAKERBOT Prusa | eBay

Guess that's about it for now. What do you think of my design, will it work for some milling and engraving, or is 200mm x 200mm workarea too small to be worthwhile?

Again, this is going to be my first machine, so I'm more interested in just getting something up and running before I start thinking about a bigger/stronger CNC.

Thanks for this forum, I've gotten so many great ideas from here already, so now hoping for some good feedback on my potential design!