I can't answer specific questions about this unit, but let me do a mini
brain dump from my CNC experience (mill, lathe, much more on to-do list);
First, while you can perhaps throw something like this together cheap,
substituting elbow grease, accuracy is what you really need. My minimum
equipment list might look somewhat daunting, but its what I can't live
without.
Metal working machinery:
Milling machine (mini mill, sold by grizzly, harbor freight or homier in the
US)
7x12 lathe (again, grizzly, harbor freight and northern tools)
4x6 bandsaw (grizzly, harbor freight, clarke)
16" drill press (grizzly, harbor freight, northern tools, clarke, sears,
home depot, lowes)
Stepper motors:
Minimum ~250oz/in (best prices new from automation direct, used cheaper)
Electronics:
Some freedom here, as you can probably make boards yourself. Base them on
the Allegro 3977 micro-stepping driver/controller and you are doing great.
DIY or buy the 3 axis Xylotex board. Or go with the Gecko drivers.
Software:
I use Mach2 from artsoft, but turbocnc from DAK engineering is also popular.
Tooling:
Here is where things get expensive. A partial list -
Set of end mills
Set of lathe cutting tools
Clamping kit
1-2-3 blocks
Kurtz style vice, 3in
Decent selection of drill bits
Center drills
Wiggler set
Parallel set
Dial indicator(s)
Digital calipers (hey, they are so cheap now, why not?)
QCTP (quick change tool post) set for lathe
Transfer punch set
Miscellaneous stuff:
Machinery's Handbook
That's all I can think of immediately. If you see it as an investment in
future projects, it's a little easier to stomach. Plus, you have to learn
how to use all this stuff. CNC is not for the faint-of-heart.
_____
From: Adam Seychell [mailto:
a_seychell@...]
Sent: Monday, January 10, 2005 7:57 PM
To:
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.comSubject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: PCB drill viewing mechanism... reviewed
They look interesting, but what is used as the linear slides ? How are
they attached to the U channel ?
Is the lead screw standard zinc steel threaded bar or is it the true
thing ?
It looks like X, Y and Z axis are identically built, with only the
length of the Z axis being smaller.
What CNC software are you using ? Did that take a week to write too ?
And most important, what is the minimum tooling required to build one of
these ?
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