This projects consists in developing a DIY kit for a 6-axis Horizontal Machining Center initially targeted at the education sector (CNC departments of community colleges, mechanical engineering schools, R&D labs), with a Public Domain design.

The machine is based on a relatively simple mechanical design:

- Static vertical column for Y axis
- Box-in-box X-Z table with built-in B rotary table
- Fixed Y column with A-C spindle head
- Focused on non-ferrous metal
- Focused on minimum quantity lubrication

The base and column are made of two solid pieces of granite (real stone, not epoxy composite). While relatively unconventional for a machine tool, the use of granite is expected to bring the following benefits:

- High precision.
- Excellent stability, rigidity, and vibration dampening characteristics.
- Easier to design for than weldments or epoxy granite.
- More affordable than epoxy granite.
- Strong enough for machining non-ferrous metals.

If granite stone turns out to be impractical for some reason, it will be replaced by epoxy granite.

The design offers 6 axes for the following reasons:

- 6-axis can offer better accuracy than 5-axis alternatives.
- 6-axis can offer faster speeds than 5-axis alternatives.
- 6-axis can improve ergonomics.
- 6 axis can simplify kinematics.
- 6-axis can turn the HMC into a VMC.
- 6-axis can turn the HMC into a turning center.
- 6-axis would benefit from more research & development in order to receive more mainstream adoption.
- 6-axis is the next frontier in CNC machining now that 5-axis has become relatively mainstream.

The focus on education is motivated by the following factors:

- Schools need affordable training aids.
- Aluminum is more suitable than steel for learning high-axis kinematics (cheaper, faster, easier on cutting tools).
- The education market does not require production-oriented features like chip collection.
- Schools cannot afford high operation and maintenance costs, which are reduced by replacing traditional coolants with Minimum Quantity Lubrication.
- More research & development are needed in the area of 6-axis machining.
- The release of the machine's design into Public Domain makes it easier to support experimentations and add-on distribution.
- The 6-axis design makes it easier to understand the benefits and trade-offs of horizontal and vertical machining.
- The machine's ergonomics are especially-well suited to an academic environment.
- Labs in training schools are usually space-constrained.
- Today's students are tomorrow's designers and operators.
- This machine is developed as a learning experiment in the very first place.

The machine has the following characteristics:

- 64" × 64" × 80" footprint
- 30" × 20" × 20" cutting envelope
- Box-in-Box X-Z 30" × 20" table
- Built-in 20" direct drive 225rpm 1870Nm/3490Nm rotary table
- Cast iron boxes for X-axis carriage, Y-axis head, and Z-axis table
- NSK roller guides
- NSK ground 32mm ball screws with 6mm pitch
- HSD HST310 2-axis head with ES368 HSK F63 Synch 13kW spindle with encoder
- Dual Siemens SIMOTICS 1.5kW servo motors for every linear axis
- Brakes on servo motors for vertical Y axis
- Direct drive torque motors for every rotary axis
- 700ipm rapids on every linear axis
- Heidenhain LC 495 S linear encoders with 3?m accuracy for every linear axis
- Absolute encoders with 30 arcsec accuracy for A, B, and C axes
- ±120° rotation on A axis
- Endless rotation on B and C axes
- 50-tools automatic tool changer with carousel and double arm
- ELTE ELT 12 water chiller
- Unist Quantum minimum quantity lubrication system
- Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl controller
- Blum TC52 touch probe
- Blum ZX-Speed toolsetter
- Blum IC56 IR receiver

A detailed description of this project can be found there:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...NTo/edit#gid=0

The goal of the project is to build and demonstrate a successful prototype, then make kits available to schools for less than $150,000 in North America and €150,000 in Europe. This project is developed by a first-time builder, but he is advised by highly-experienced engineers working for various suppliers and distribution partners, across all technical aspects of the project (software, electronics, mechanics, mechatronics, ergonomics, and logistics).

This project originated from another thread that took many twists and turns before a final design was selected:

https://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-c...62576-cnc.html