HOW TO - Make a three axis CNC machine (cheaply and easily)

Fckbmshf3Hy3Sk9.Medium
Stuart writes -

The idea behind this Instructable was to fulfill my desire for a desktop sized CNC machine. While it would have been nice to purchase an off the shelf unit the issue of price as well as size proved prohibitive. With this in mind I endeavored to design and build a three axis CNC machine with the following factors in mind:
  • Use Simple tools (needs only a drill press, band saw, and hand tools)
  • Low Cost (this kind of got away from me however with everything bought off the shelf the cost for all parts is under $600 (significant savings could be made by skillfully sourcing some pieces))
  • Small footprint (30" x 25" footprint)
  • Usable working envelope (10" X-axis, 14" Y-Axis, 4" Z-Axis)
  • Relativly fast cut rate (60" per minute)
  • Small part count (fewer than 30 unique parts)
  • Easy to source parts (all parts available from 4 sources (Home Depot + 3 online sources)
  • Ability to cut ply-wood (Succesful)
Lets get started...


How to Make a Three Axis CNC Machine (Cheaply and Easily) - [via] Link.


Recent Entries

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: HousePainter on June 29, 2007 at 10:10 AM

There is a swedish Electronic-forum, www.elektronikforumet.com
One of our members is developing a Cnc-mashine thats even better than this.:)

http://elektronikforumet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18590&start=0

But this was very nice!


Posted by: o-tang on June 29, 2007 at 1:34 PM

...I think the keyword here was "cheaply and easily" not to mention "open source".


Posted by: pftb on July 1, 2007 at 8:50 AM

all good and well see, but the hard par it seems is controling the motors.
Not that im bashing this tut, because it shows how to make a lovely and rather simeple CNC BODY why it comes to the motors, the help it gave was "connect the motors and set them up"

Iv been trying to make a cnc machine for awhile not, granted i havnt been trying very hard, but the part that always stumps me is the motor control
anyone know it well enought to discribe to lamens?


Posted by: vcao on May 21, 2009 at 12:06 AM

Hello,"It shows how to make a lovely and rather simeple CNC BODY why it comes to the motors, the help it gave was "connect the motors and set them up" http://www.mp4-converter.net


Leave a comment


Subscribe to MAKE!Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now


Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out. Make: The risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things... Welcome to Make: Online!


CRAFT Maker Shed Maker Faire MAKE television
Holiday Gift Guides from MAKE
Gifts for Dads
Science and Chemistry
Gifts Under $20
More guides: Santa Claus Machines, Geek Toys for Grown Up Girls & Boys


Check out all of the episodes of Make: television

Alex Rider Dream Gadget Contest
Make: Science Room

Connect with MAKE

Be a MAKE fan on Facebook MAKE on Facebook
Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of MAKE!
MAKE on Twitter MAKE on Twitter
Follow our MAKE tweets!
MAKE Flickr Pool MAKE on Flickr
Join our MAKE Flickr Pool!
    make_tips on Twitter




    Maker SHED

    Advertise here with FM.

    Why advertise on MAKE?
    Read what folks are saying about us!

    Click here to advertise on MAKE!



    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Make: Online authors!

    Gareth BranwynGareth Branwyn
    Senior Editor


    Phillip TorronePhillip Torrone
    Senior Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Becky SternBecky Stern
    Associate Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Marc de VinckMarc de Vinck
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    John ParkJohn Park
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Sean RaganSean Ragan
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Matt MetsMatt Mets
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    Dale DoughertyDale Dougherty
    Editor & Publisher
    | Twitter


    Shawn ConnallyShawn Connally
    Managing Editor
    | Twitter


    Goli MohammadiGoli Mohammadi
    Associate Managing Editor

    Kip KayKip Kay
    Weekend Projects
    | AIM | Twitter


    Collin CunninghamCollin Cunningham
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter

    Adam FlahertyAdam Flaherty
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter



    More contributors: Mark Frauenfelder (Editor-in-Chief, MAKE magazine), Kipp Bradford (Technical Consultant/Writer), Chris Connors (Education), Diana Eng (Guest Author), Peter Horvath (Intern), Brian Jepson (O'Reilly Media), Robert Bruce Thompson (Science Room)

    Suggest a Site!

    Current Podcast

    itunesdl.gif Weekend Project: Beetlebot Simple robot from your parts bin that avoids obstacles. Thanks go to Jerome Demers for the original article in MAKE, Volume 12. To download the Beetlebot video, click here or subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Beetlebot article... More...

    Get the Make: Online sent via email
    Enter your email to receive Make: Online each day:



    MAKE Fascination video series brought to you by Dow

    Make: Education
    MAKE: en EspaƱol MAKE: Japan
    Important please read


    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Recent Posts from the Craft: Blog