Many craftsmen often think about assembling a homemade CNC machine. It has a number of advantages and will allow you to solve a large number of tasks more efficiently and quickly.
They carry out milling and cutting of almost all materials. In this regard, the temptation to manufacture such a device is quite great. Maybe it's time to take matters into your own hands and replenish your workshop with new equipment?
Numerically controlled machines have become widespread not only in industrial production, but also in private workshops. They allow flat and profile processing of metal, plastic and wood.
In addition, you cannot do without them when performing engraving and drilling and filler work.
Almost any problem solved using similar devices, is performed at a high level.
If necessary, draw something on the board or wooden slab, it is enough to create a layout in a computer program and transfer it to the product using CNC Milling. In most cases, it is simply impossible to perform such an operation manually, especially when high precision is involved.
All professional equipment this type is characterized high level automation and ease of operation. Only basic skills in working with specialized computer programs are required to solve simple material processing problems.
At the same time, even with CNC they cope with their goals. With proper configuration and the use of high-quality components, you can achieve good accuracy, minimal backlash and acceptable operating speed from the device.
DIY CNC machine
Functional diagram of a CNC machine.
So how to do this device? To make a CNC machine with your own hands, you need to spend time developing the project, as well as familiarize yourself with existing factory models. Following these first and most simple rules, you will be able to avoid the most common mistakes.
It is worth noting that a CNC milling machine is a technically complex device with electronic elements. Because of this, many people believe that it cannot be done by hand.
Of course, this opinion is wrong. However, it must be borne in mind that for assembly you will need not only a drawing, but also a certain set of tools and parts. For example, you will need a stepper motor, which can be taken from a printer, etc.
The need for certain financial and time costs should also be taken into account. If such problems are not terrible, then it will not be difficult to produce an affordable and effective unit with coordinate positioning of a cutting tool for processing metal or wood.
Scheme
The most difficult stage of CNC machining on metal and wood is choosing the optimal equipment layout. Everything here is determined by the size of the workpiece and the degree of its processing.
For domestic purposes, it is better to give preference to a drawing of a small device with the necessary set of functions.
One option could be a design consisting of two carriages that will move in a plane. Steel grinding rods work well as a base. Carriages are attached to them.
You will also need a motor and screws with rolling bearings to ensure the transmission. The CNC router will be controlled using a program.
Preparation
To automate homemade milling machine with CNC it is necessary to think through the electronic part as much as possible.
Drawing of a homemade machine.
It can be divided into several elements:
- power supply that supplies power to the motor and controller;
- controller;
- a driver that regulates the operation of moving parts of the structure.
Then, to build the machine yourself, you need to select assembly parts. It is best to use available materials. This will help minimize the cost of the tools you need.
The base is usually made of wood, plexiglass or metal. It is important that no vibrations occur during the movement of the calipers. They will lead to inaccurate operation of the device. In this regard, it is necessary to correctly develop their design.
Here are some tips for choosing parts:
- rods with a diameter of up to 12 mm are suitable as guides;
- the best option for a caliper would be textolite;
- SD is usually taken from printers;
- The cutter fixation block is also made of textolite.
Assembly instructions
After preparing and selecting the parts, you can begin assembling the milling unit for processing wood and metal.
First of all, you should check all the components again and make sure that their sizes are correct.
CNC device diagram.
The assembly sequence looks approximately as follows:
- installation of caliper guides, their fastening to the side surfaces of the structure;
- grinding in the calipers as a result of their movement until a smooth ride can be achieved;
- bolt tightening;
- installing components on the device base;
- consolidation lead screws with couplings;
- fastening to the screws of stepper motor couplings.
All electronic components should be located in a separate unit. Thus, the likelihood of failure during operation will be minimized. This type of placement of electronics can be called the best design.
Features of work
Once the CNC machine has been assembled with your own hands, you can begin testing.
The actions of the machine will be controlled by software. It must be chosen correctly. First of all, it is important that the program is working. Secondly, it must maximize all the capabilities of the equipment.
Kinematic diagram of the device operation.
The software must contain all the necessary drivers for the controllers.
You should start with simple programs. During the first starts, it is necessary to monitor each pass of the cutter to ensure that the cutting width and depth are correct. It is especially important to control the three-dimensional versions of such devices.
Bottom line
CNC woodworking devices incorporate various electronics into their design. Because of this, at first glance, it may seem that such equipment is very difficult to make on your own.
In fact, do-it-yourself CNC is a feasible task for everyone. You just need to believe in yourself and your abilities, and then you can become the owner of a reliable and efficient milling machine that will become the pride of any master.
Complex processing various materials has long ceased to be the lot of factory floors. Twenty years ago, the maximum that home craftsmen could afford was figure sawing jigsaw
Today, hand-held milling cutters and cutting lasers can easily be purchased in stores. household tools. Various guides are provided for linear processing. What about cutting out complex shapes?
Basic tasks can be accomplished using a template. However this method has disadvantages: firstly, you need to make the template itself, and secondly, the mechanical pattern has limitations on the size of the curves. And finally, the error of such devices is too great.
A solution has long been found: a CNC machine allows you to cut out such complex shapes from plywood with your own hands that “jigsaw operators” can only dream of.
The device is a coordinate positioning system for a cutting tool, controlled by computer program. That is, the processing head moves along the workpiece in accordance with a given trajectory. Accuracy is limited only by the size of the cutting attachment (mill or laser ray).
The possibilities of such machines are endless. There are models with two-dimensional and three-dimensional positioning. However, their cost is so high that the purchase can only be justified commercial use. All that remains is to assemble the CNC machine with your own hands.
The principle of operation of the coordinate system
The basis of the machine is a powerful frame. Perfectly used as a basis Smooth surface. It also serves as a work desk. The second basic element is the carriage on which the tool is mounted. It could be a Dremel manual frezer, laser gun - in general, any device capable of processing a workpiece. The carriage must move strictly in the plane of the frame.
First, let's look at a two-dimensional setup
You can use the table surface as a frame (base) for a DIY CNC machine. The main thing is that after all the elements are adjusted, the structure no longer moves, remaining firmly screwed to the base.
To move in one direction (let's call it X), two guides are placed. They must be strictly parallel to each other. A bridge structure, also consisting of parallel guides, is installed across it. The second axis is Y. 
By specifying the movement vectors along the X and Y axes, you can position the carriage with high accuracy (and with it the cutting tool) to any point on the desktop plane. By choosing the ratio of movement speeds along the axes, the program forces the tool to move continuously along any, even the most complex, trajectory.
The frame of the CNC machine is made by the hands of a craftsman, video
There is another concept: The carriage with the tool is fixed motionless, the work table with the workpiece moves. There is no fundamental difference. Unless the dimensions of the base (and therefore the workpiece) are limited. But the power supply circuit to the working tool is simplified; there is no need to worry about flexible power cables.
Machine tools equipped with numerical control (CNC) software are presented in the form modern equipment for cutting, turning, drilling or grinding metal, plywood, wood, foam and other materials.
Built-in electronics based printed circuit boards Arduino provides maximum automation of work.
1 What is a CNC machine?
CNC machines based on Arduino printed circuit boards are capable of automatically continuously changing the spindle speed, as well as the feed speed of supports, tables and other mechanisms. Auxiliary elements CNC machine automatically takes the desired position, and can be used to cut plywood or aluminum profiles.
In devices based on Arduino printed circuit boards, the cutting tool (pre-configured) also changes automatically.
In CNC devices based on Arduino printed circuit boards, all commands are sent through the controller.
The controller receives signals from the software. For such plywood cutting equipment, metal profiles or foam, the program carriers are cams, stops or copiers.
The signal received from the program carrier through the controller sends a command to the machine, semi-automatic or copying machine. If it is necessary to change a sheet of plywood or foam plastic for cutting, then the cams or copiers are replaced with other elements.
Units with program control based on Arduino boards use punched tapes, punched cards or magnetic tapes as a program carrier, which contain all necessary information. With the use of Arduino boards, the entire process of cutting plywood, foam plastic or other material is fully automated, minimizing labor costs.
It is worth noting that building a CNC machine for cutting plywood or foam plastic based on Arduino boards you can do it yourself without much difficulty. Control in CNC units based on Arduino is carried out by a controller that transmits both technological and dimensional information.
Using CNC plasma cutters based on Arduino boards, you can free up a large number of universal equipment and, at the same time, increase labor productivity. The main advantages of Arduino-based machines assembled by yourself are expressed in:
- high (compared to manual machines) productivity;
- flexibility of universal equipment combined with precision;
- reducing the need to attract qualified specialists to work;
- the possibility of manufacturing interchangeable parts according to one program;
- reduced preparation times for the manufacture of new parts;
- the opportunity to make a machine with your own hands.
1.1 Process of operation of a CNC milling machine (video)
1.2 Types of CNC machines
The presented units for cutting plywood or foam plastic, using Arduino boards for operation, are divided into classes according to:
- technological capabilities;
- the principle of tool change;
- method of changing the workpiece.
Any class of such equipment can be made with your own hands, and the Arduino electronics will provide maximum automation of the work process. Along with classes, machines can be:
- turning;
- drilling and boring;
- milling;
- grinding;
- electrophysical machines;
- multi-purpose.
Arduino-based turning units can process external and internal surfaces all kinds of details.
Rotation of workpieces can be carried out in both straight and curved contours. The device is also designed for cutting external and internal thread. Arduino-based milling units are designed for milling simple and complex body-type parts.
In addition, they can perform drilling and boring. Grinding machines, which can also be made with your own hands, can be used for finishing details.
Depending on the type of surfaces being processed, units can be:
- surface grinding;
- internal grinding;
- spline grinding.
Multi-purpose units can be used for cutting plywood or foam plastic, perform drilling, milling, boring and turning parts. Before you make a CNC machine with your own hands, it is important to consider that the equipment is divided according to the method of changing tools. Replacement can be made:
- manually;
- automatically in the turret;
- automatically in the store.
If the electronics (controller) can provide automatic change of workpieces using special drives, then the device can long time work without operator participation.
In order to make the presented unit for cutting plywood or foam plastic with your own hands, you need to prepare the initial equipment. A used one may be suitable for this.
In it, the working element is replaced with a milling cutter. In addition, you can make a mechanism with your own hands from the carriages of an old printer.
This will allow the working cutter to move in the direction of two planes. Next, electronics are connected to the structure, the key element of which is the controller and Arduino boards.
The assembly diagram allows you to make your own homemade CNC unit automatic. Such equipment may be designed for cutting plastic, foam, plywood or thin metal. In order for the device to be able to perform more complex types of work, not only a controller is needed, but also a stepper motor.
It must have high power indicators - at least 40-50 watts. It is recommended to use a conventional electric motor, since its use will eliminate the need to create a screw drive, and the controller will ensure timely delivery of commands.
The required force on the transmission shaft is homemade device must be transmitted via timing belts. If to move the working cutter homemade machine CNC will use carriages from printers, then for this purpose it is necessary to select parts from large printers.
The basis of the future unit can be a rectangular beam, which must be firmly fixed to the guides. The frame must have a high degree of rigidity, but welding is not recommended. It is better to use a bolted connection.
Welding seams will be subject to deformation due to constant loads during machine operation. In this case, the fastening elements are destroyed, which will lead to settings failure, and the controller will not work correctly.
2.1 About stepper motors, supports and guides
A self-assembled CNC unit must be equipped with stepper motors. As mentioned above, it is best to use motors from old dot matrix printers to assemble the unit.
For efficient operation of the device you will need three separate engines stepper type. It is recommended to use motors with five separate control wires. This will increase functionality homemade apparatus several times.
When selecting motors for a future machine, you need to know the number of degrees per step, the operating voltage and the winding resistance. Subsequently, this will help to configure everything correctly software.
The ball motor shaft is fastened using a rubber cable covered with a thick winding. In addition, using such a cable you can connect the motor to the running pin. The frame can be made of plastic with a thickness of 10-12 mm.
Along with plastic, it is possible to use aluminum or organic glass.
The leading parts of the frame are attached using self-tapping screws, and when using wood, the elements can be attached with PVA glue. The guides are steel rods with a cross-section of 12 mm and a length of 20 mm. There are 2 rods for each axis.
The support is made of textolite, its dimensions should be 30x100x40 cm. The guide parts of the textolite are fastened with M6 screws, and the supports “X” and “Y” at the top must have 4 threaded holes to secure the frame. Stepper motors are installed using fasteners.
Fastenings can be made using steel leaf type. The sheet thickness should be 2-3 mm. Next, the screw is connected to the axle stepper motor via a flexible shaft. For this purpose, you can use a regular rubber hose.
Knowing that a CNC milling machine is considered complicated technical and electronic equipment, many craftsmen think that it simply cannot be done with their own hands.
However, this opinion does not correspond to reality: you can make such a device with your own hands, but for this you need to have not only its complete drawing, but also a set of certain tools and suitable components.
DIY CNC machine (drawings)
If you decide to create a homemade special CNC machine, remember that this can take a lot of time. In addition, you will need a lot of money.
To make a milling machine that is equipped with a CNC system, you can use 2 methods: purchase a ready-made set of specially selected parts from which such equipment is assembled, or find all the components and independently assemble a device that fully meets all your requirements.
Preparing for work
If you planned to make a CNC machine yourself, without using a ready-made kit, then the first thing you will need to do is stop at special scheme, according to which such a mini-device will work.
Equipment assembly
The base of the assembled milling equipment can be a rectangular beam, which must be firmly fixed on the guides.
The supporting structure of the equipment must have great rigidity. When installing it, it is better not to use welded joints, but to connect all parts only with screws.
In milling equipment that you will assemble yourself, there must be a mechanism that will ensure the movement of the working device in the vertical direction. It is best to take a screw gear for it, the rotation of which will be transmitted using a toothed belt.
Main part of the machine
An important part of such a machine is its vertical axis, which homemade device can be made from aluminum plate. Remember to the dimensions of such an axis were precisely matched to the dimensions of the device being created.
When choosing electronic components for your homemade machine, it is important to pay attention to their quality, since the accuracy of the technological operations that will be performed on it will depend on this. After installing and connecting all electronic components of the CNC system, you need to download the necessary software and drivers. Only after this is a test run of the machine, checking the correct operation of it under the control of loaded programs, identifying deficiencies and promptly eliminating them.
All the steps described above and the components listed are suitable for making your own milling machine, not only a jig boring machine, but also a number of other types. With such equipment it is possible to process parts with complex configurations, since the working part of the machine can move in three planes: 3d.
Your desire to assemble such a machine controlled by a CNC system with your own hands must be supported by the presence of certain skills and detailed drawings. It is also highly advisable to watch a number of thematic training videos, some of which are presented in this article.
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