[pinemartin]

Hi To All
been looking through loads of info here. blown me away..
i am looking at building my own milling machine. but the main thing is cost! as always.
I have never under taken anythinglike this so its a first. I am used to using autocad both in 2d as awell as 3d (if that helps) other than that i am a novice. i am looking at routering out letters and pictures in wood.
If anyone can help or guide me in the right direction, with drawings or sites. Would be very grateful

[Mike F]

You're on the best site in the world for information and help on all things CNC. Just keep reading, learning and asking questions.

Mike

[pinemartin]

Thanks Mike F
Ok any ideas as where to start ie plans for building frame work and/or materails

[pinemartin]

Is it possible to convert my cad drawings straight to a cnc router. or do i have to concert them to a different format. if i am able to programme straight fro autoCAD that would be a big help

[tnik]

Is it possible to convert my cad drawings straight to a cnc router. or do i have to concert them to a different format. if i am able to programme straight fro autoCAD that would be a big help

No, you would have to get a CAM program to create the toolpath's needed to mill your part. the CAM program would create GCode and that is what the CNC controller reads to do your milling.

[pinemartin]

any advice on which would be cost effective to translate my cad drawings to cam to enable me to use the cnc

[tnik]

depends on what your willing to spend. there's opensourced cnc programs out there (opensourced means free for the most part) then there's the hobbyist programs (like BobCAD-CAM) which aren't that bad in price, then there's top of the line cam programs like surfcam. A quick search on google for CAM software will give you millions of hits.

[ger21]

Is it possible to convert my cad drawings straight to a cnc router. or do i have to concert them to a different format. if i am able to programme straight fro autoCAD that would be a big help

If you have AutoCAD 2002 or newer, I wrote a macro that will export g-code from AutoCAD.

http://home.comcast.net/~cncwoodwork.../AC2GCv039.zip

Thread here:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8226

[pinemartin]

could anyone advise me what the basic components are that i will need besides the computor and my router. I understand that i will need to be able to move in both the x & y axis and Z. i have a design for that, and i have read peoples remarks concerning materials. what i trying to locate is a site that may show me the equipment i will need, and what plugs into what... Now i did say i was a novice

[ger21]

I'd recommend downloading Joe's 2006 plans and the JGRO plans and study them Both should give you a good idea what you need.
http://www.cnczone.com/modules.php?n...category&cid=2

Basically, you'll need.
Machine control software (Mach3, TurboCNC)
Motors (steppers or servos)
Motor drives to control the motors.
Leadscrews and nuts or some other means to provide motion, such as rack and pinion.

[pinemartin]

Thanks all
Just been pricing up linear rails Wow not cheap. hoping to make the x axis 1200mm x 800. Not being tech minded seems very heavy trying to work out wieghts etc etc. looked at bobcam seems to suite my needs with bobart as a attachment. Their doing a deal at the moment for all the software....if anyone is interested. Big thanks to Simso in australia for your help

[Greolt]

Bobcad/cam are ALWAYS doing a deal

[pinemartin]

Can anyone help with a drawn schematics for running a 3 axis milling machine
looking to find what i need to run all axis from the computor to drill bit, have not got a clue about wiring and what i need just to get going.
also looking for a place to purchase the above that is not going to run my pocket dry or have my old lady on my back.
Priced up rails and she was none to happy that they were coming in at over £800 for all 3 axis. Just have to do more homers to get the cash.
Planning on building a 1500x 800 base out of 50x50 mild steel boxing and lighter stuff for the y axis. but if anyone can advise if this is the best way to go :cheers:

[pinemartin]

I have just purchased bobcad/cam with proX. Now looking to buy a cnc hobby table about 3ft x 2ft or maybe larger, can anyone advise on where i may get a good deal. Even if it has to be built from a kit form. Buying in different pieces maybe be my undoing as i reall do not know enough to buy the pieces serperatly. Thanks

[thkoutsidthebox]

Here is the plans to the first machine I built. To be honest I would not recommend it for anything other than a learning build, although some people have used metal to build it, and this may have given better results.

http://www.solsylva.com/

I'd suggest looking at the JGRO or Joes machine as mentioned above.

Here is an electronics system that I haven't had any problems with. Again as you may have gathered by now, there are alternatives to every solution!

http://www.hobbycnc.com/hcncpropkg.php

Good luck.

[KLeeper]

With respect to your request for a schematic of the electronics, I believe what you may need is a block diagram of the components involved in this.

PC <> Interface Type <> Breakout Board <> Axis Drivers <> Axis Motors
} Limit and Home Switches
} Relays, E-Stop, Etc.

If this is oversimplified, I am sorry. Determining which software you can use is often dictated by the Interface type (Serial, USB or Parallel), breakout boards are optional but usually neccessary and drivers/motors vary widely. Price versus performance can be hard to pin down. This site can offer tremendous help in setting design goals and establishing prices of components. In the end, it's how much are you willing to spend for what you want?

[JOHNKLEEPER]

• Steppers are the cheapest motor option
• Servos are the most powerful and provide encoded feedback as to thier speed direction and posisiton.
• Controller cards for steppers are cheaper work with common parellel port and are available in wide array of types spec and current ratings

To tally and make sense of the above motor guidelines for your build answer the folowing wuestions.

How much weight and how fast do i wish my machine to operate?

Do I want to get didgitizing feedback from my machine?

how much expendeble income do i have?

after answering these questions you can do some research for steppers at sanyo-denki.com japanservoco.com and various motor manufacturers sites.

For materials a great resource is MSC Industrial supply and boltdepot.com great prices and good reputable companies.

For Ballnuts and Lead screws and linear bearings eaby and cnczone classifieds are good for the luck cheaper stuff. but buying new may make the project x2 x3 in price.

A good alternative that has worked for me is a home brew 1/4-20 rod with nut made from UHMD Polyethelyne. good enough for DOT dumptruck bed good enough for a bearing or a nut. also available at MSC.

[pinemartin]

Ok got a deal with bobcat.
Now all i need is to either make a table or buy one. still have a issue though.
If i bought or built a table and had all the the pieces for the table. will i need something to run between my laptop and the table besides the printer cable.
where does my cable run too?

HELP

Dave

[JOHNKLEEPER]

Ok got a deal with bobcat.
Now all i need is to either make a table or buy one. still have a issue though.
If i bought or built a table and had all the the pieces for the table. will i need something to run between my laptop and the table besides the printer cable.
where does my cable run too?

HELP

Dave

You will need a control pcb for each axis, a power supply for the logic and another power supply for the motor drivers. You can buy a multi axis controller which can perform multiple functions. These will require an enclosure with cooling fans. You also need cabling from the contoller to the motors and limit switches, etc. These all can be bought as complete system or seperately. Further, you can buy kits for further savings or make everything yourself, if you desire.
Read a few of the longer build threads to pick up more info.

Here is a link you should read, its brief.

http://en.wiki.mcneel.com/default.as.../BasicCNC.html