Independent production of cnc machine. DIY CNC wood milling machine DIY CNC milling machine

To make a three-dimensional drawing on wooden surface factory CNC milling machines for wood are used. It is difficult to make a similar mini-model with your own hands at home, but it is possible with a detailed study of the design. To do this, you need to understand the specifics, choose the right components and configure them.

The principle of operation of the milling machine

Equipment for milling CNC

Modern woodworking equipment with a numerical control unit is designed to form a complex pattern on wood. The design must contain a mechanical electronic part. In combination, they will automate the work process as much as possible.

To make a desktop mini wood router with your own hands, you should familiarize yourself with the main components. The cutting element is a cutter, which is installed in a spindle located on the motor shaft. This design is attached to the frame. It can move along two coordinate axes - x; y. To fix the workpiece, it is necessary to make a support table.

The electronic control unit is connected to the stepper motors. They provide displacement of the carriage relative to the part. Using this technology, you can make 3D drawings on a wooden surface.

The sequence of operation of mini-equipment with CNC, which you can make yourself.

1. Writing a program according to which the sequence of movements of the cutting part will be performed. To do this, it is best to use special software systems designed to adapt to homemade models.
2. Setting the workpiece on the table.
3. Program output to the CNC.
4. Turning on equipment, monitoring the implementation of automatic actions.

To achieve maximum automation of work in 3D mode, you will need to correctly draw up a diagram and select the appropriate components. Experts recommend studying factory models before making a mini-milling machine with your own hands.

To create complex patterns and patterns on a wooden surface, you will need several types of cutters. Some of them you can do yourself, but for fine work, you should purchase factory ones.

Scheme of a homemade milling machine with numerical control

Scheme of a CNC milling machine

The most difficult stage is the choice of the optimal manufacturing scheme. It depends on the dimensions of the workpiece and the degree of its processing. For home use it is desirable to make a do-it-yourself desktop mini CNC milling machine that will have the optimal number of functions.

The best option is the manufacture of two carriages that will move along the x coordinate axes; y. It is best to use ground steel bars as a base. Carriages will be mounted on them. To create a transmission, stepper motors and screws with rolling bearings are needed.

For maximum automation of the process in the design of a do-it-yourself mini CNC wood milling machine, it is necessary to think over the electronic part in detail. Conventionally, it consists of the following components:

• power unit. It is necessary to supply electricity to stepper motors and the controller chip. Often use the model 12v 3A;
• controller. It is designed to give commands to electric motors. For the operation of a do-it-yourself mini CNC milling machine, a simple circuit is enough to control the functioning of three motors;
• driver. It is also an element of regulation of the operation of the moving part of the structure.

Controller circuit on 555TM7 chips

The advantage of this complex is the ability to import executable files of the most common formats. Using a special application, you can create a three-dimensional drawing of the part for preliminary analysis. Stepper motors will run at a certain stroke rate. But for this you need to make technical specifications to the control program.

Choice of accessories for CNC milling machine

Aluminum Frame Milling Equipment

The next step is to select the components to build. homemade equipment. The best option is to use improvised means. As a basis for desktop models of a 3D machine, you can use wood, aluminum or plexiglass.

For the correct operation of the entire complex, it is necessary to develop the design of calipers. During their movement, there should be no vibrations, this can lead to inaccurate milling. Therefore, before assembly, all components are checked for compatibility with each other.

• guides. Polished steel bars with a diameter of 12 mm are used. The length for the x-axis is 200mm, for the y-axis it is 90mm;
• caliper. Textolite is the best option. The usual size of the platform is 25*100*45 mm;
• stepper motors. Experts recommend using models from a 24v, 5A printer. Unlike disk drives, they have more power;
• cutter block. It can also be made from textolite. The configuration directly depends on the available tool.

The power supply is best assembled from the factory. At self-manufacturing errors are possible, which subsequently affect the operation of all equipment.

The procedure for manufacturing a CNC milling machine

Milling machine Plexiglas

After selecting all the components, you can make a desktop mini CNC wood router yourself with your own hands. All elements are preliminarily checked again, their dimensions and quality are checked.

To fix the elements of the equipment, it is necessary to use special fasteners. Their configuration and shape depend on the chosen scheme.

The procedure for assembling desktop mini CNC equipment for wood with a 3D processing function.

1. Installation of caliper guides, their fixation on the side parts of the structure. These blocks are not installed on the base yet.
2. Lapping of calipers. They must be moved along the guides until a smooth ride is obtained.
3. Tightening the bolts to fix the calipers.
4. Attaching components to the base of the equipment.
5. Installation of lead screws together with couplings.
6. Installation of drive motors. They are attached to the coupling screws.

The electronic part is located in a separate block. This helps to reduce the likelihood of malfunction during the operation of the router. Also important point is the choice of work surface for the installation of equipment. It must be level, since the level adjustment bolts are not provided in the design.

After that, you can start trial tests. It is recommended to set up a simple wood milling program first. During operation, it is necessary to check each cutter pass - the depth and width of processing, especially in the 3D mode.

The video shows an example of how to assemble a large do-it-yourself CNC milling machine:

Examples of drawings and homemade designs

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How to make a cnc router for wood with your own hands

Nowadays, the production of small parts made of wood, for various structures, is becoming more and more frequent. Also in stores you can find a variety of beautiful three-dimensional paintings made on wood canvas. Such operations are performed using numerically controlled milling machines. The accuracy of parts or pictures made of wood is achieved through computer control, a specialized program.

General concepts

The CNC wood router is a highly professional machine built with the latest technology.

All the work consists in processing with a special wood cutter, which can be used to cut small parts from wood material, creating beautiful drawings. The work is carried out by supplying signals to stepper motors, which, in turn, move the router along three axes.

Due to this, high-precision processing occurs. As a rule, such work cannot be done manually with such high quality. Therefore, CNC wood milling machines are a great find for carpenters.

purpose

Since ancient times, milling was intended for planing work with wood. But the engine of progress is moving strictly forward in our time, numerical control has been created for such machines. At this stage, the milling machine can perform a variety of actions that relate to wood processing:

1. Cutting various parts from solid wood.
2. Cutting off excess parts of the workpiece.
3. Ability to make grooves and holes of various diameters.
4. Drawing complex ornaments using a cutter.
5. 3D Three-dimensional images on solid wood.
6. Complete furniture manufacturing and much more.

Whatever the task, it will be carried out with high precision and accuracy.

Tip: When working on homemade CNC equipment, you need to smoothly remove the thickness of the wood, otherwise your part will be damaged or burned by the cutter!

Variety

In the modern technological world, the following types of CNC wood milling machines are distinguished:

Stationary

These machines are located in industries, as they have huge size and weight. But such equipment is capable of manufacturing products in large volumes.

Manual

This is homemade devices or devices from ready-made kits. These machines can be safely installed in your garage or your own workshop. These include the following subspecies:

Portal.

Equipment using portal, with numerical control

Directly, the milling cutter itself is able to move along two Cartesian axes X and Z. This type of machine has high rigidity when bending. The design of the portal milling machine with numerical control is quite simple in its execution. Many carpenters begin their knowledge of CNC machines from this subtype. However, in this case, the size of the workpiece will be limited by the size of the portal itself.

Numerically controlled and mobile gantry

The construction of this subtype is a little more complicated.

mobile portal

It is this type that moves the router along all three Cartesian axes, along X, Z and Y. In this case, it will be necessary to use a solid guide for the X axis, since all the heavy load will be directed to it.

With a mobile portal, it is very convenient to create printed circuit boards. On the Y axis, it is possible to process long details.

The cutter moves along the Z axis.

Machine on which the milling part is able to move in a vertical direction

This subtype is usually used when refining production samples or when reworking drilling equipment in engraving and milling.

The working field, that is, the tabletop itself, has dimensions of 15x15 centimeters, which makes it impossible to process large parts.

This type is not very convenient to use.

Numerically controlled portalless

This type of machine is very complex in its design, but it is the most productive and convenient.

Portalless.

Workpieces can be processed up to five meters long, even if the X-axis is 20 centimeters.

This subtype is extremely unsuitable for the first experience, as it requires skills on this equipment.

Below we will consider the design of a hand-held CNC wood milling machine, we will analyze the principles of its operation. We will learn how to make this brainchild and how such equipment is being adjusted.

Device and principle of operation

The main parts of the milling device are the following parts:

bed

Directly the design of the machine itself, on which all other parts are located.

caliper

A node that is a mount to support the movement of an automatic tool.

Desktop

The area where all the necessary work is done.

Spindle shaft or router

A tool that performs milling work.

Cutter for wood processing

A tool, or rather a device for a milling cutter, of various sizes and shapes, with the help of which wood is processed.

CNC

Let's just say the brain and heart of the whole structure. The software performs precise control of all work.

The work is in program management. A specialized program is installed on the computer, it is she who converts the circuits loaded into it into special codes, which the program distributes to the controller, and then to stepper motors. Stepper motors, in turn, move the milling cutter along the coordinate axes Z, Y, X, due to which the processing of the wooden workpiece takes place.

Choice of accessories

The main step in the invention of a homemade milling machine is the choice of components. After all, choosing bad material, something can go wrong in

An example of an assembly from an aluminum frame.

the work itself. Usually use simple materials such as: aluminum, wood (solid, MDF), plexiglass. For the correct and accurate operation of the entire structure, it is important to develop the entire design of the calipers.

Tip: Before assembling with your own hands, you need to check all already prepared parts for compatibility.

Check if there are any snags that will interfere. And most importantly, to prevent various kinds of fluctuations, as this will directly lead to poor-quality milling.

There are some assignments for the selection of work items that will help in the creation, namely:

Guides

Scheme of CNC guides for a milling cutter.

For them, rods with a diameter of 12 millimeters are used. For the X axis, the length of the rod is 200 millimeters, and for the Y axis, the length is 90 millimeters.

The use of guides will allow high-precision installation of moving parts

caliper

Support for CNC milling machine.

Support assembly.

Textolite material can be used for these components. Pretty durable material of its kind. As a rule, the dimensions of the textolite pad are 25x100x45 millimeters.

Router locking block

An example of a frame for fixing a router.

You can also use a textolite frame. The dimensions directly depend on the tool you have.

Stepper motors or servo motors

Power Supply

Controller

An electronic board that distributes electricity to stepper motors to move them along axes.

Tip: When soldering the board, it is necessary to use capacitors and resistors in special SMD cases (aluminum, ceramics, and plastic are used to make cases for such parts). This will reduce the dimensions of the board, as well as the internal space in the design will be optimized.

Assembly

Scheme of a home-made machine with numerical control

The assembly will not take you too much time. The only thing is that the tuning process will be the longest in the entire manufacturing process.

To start

It is necessary to develop a diagram and drawings of the future numerical control machine.

If you do not want to do this, then you can download drawings from the Internet. For all sizes, prepare all the necessary details.

Make all necessary holes

Designed for bearings and guides. The main thing is to keep everything required dimensions otherwise the operation of the machine will be disturbed. A diagram describing the arrangement of mechanisms is presented. It will give you a general idea, especially if you are collecting it for the first time.

When all the elements and parts of the mechanism are ready for you, you can safely proceed with the assembly. The first step is to assemble the equipment frame.

frame

Must be geometrically correct. All corners should be even and equal. When the frame is ready, you can mount the guide axles, desktop, calipers. When these elements are installed, you can install a router or a spindle.

The last step remains - electronics. Installing the electronics is the main step in the assembly. A controller is connected to the stepper motors installed on the machine, which will be responsible for their operation.

Next, the controller is connected to a computer on which it should already be installed special program For driving. The widely used brand name is Arduino, which manufactures and supplies hardware.

With everything connected and ready, it's time to run a test piece. Any wood that will not go beyond the desktop is suitable for this. If your workpiece has been processed and everything is in order, then you can proceed to the full-fledged manufacture of one or another milling product.

Safety

Safety with milling equipment is the foundation of the basics. If you do not take care of yourself, you can end up in the hospital with serious injuries. All safety rules are the same, but the most basic ones will be listed below:

1. You must ground your equipment to avoid electric shock.
2. Keep children away from the machine.
3. Do not eat or drink on the desktop.
4. Clothing should be appropriate.
5. Do not process bulky parts that exceed the size of the desktop, machine equipment.
6. Do not throw various tools at work area machine.
7. Do not use material (metal, plastic, etc.).

Video reviews

Video review of parts for the machine and where to get them:

Video review of the wood milling machine:

Video review of electronics

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DIY CNC milling machines for wood

A condition for the performance of professional woodworking is the presence of a CNC milling machine. Commercially available roads and not everyone can afford it. Therefore, many make them with their own hands, saving money and enjoying the creative process.

There are two options for the manufacture of mini machines for milling wood:

• purchase of a set of parts and its manufacture (Modelist kits costing from 40 to 110 thousand rubles);
• make it with your own hands.

Consider the manufacture of mini CNC milling machines with your own hands.

Homemade CNC milling machine

Choice of design features

The list of actions in the development, manufacture of a mini device for wood milling is as follows:

1. Initially, you need to decide what kind of work we are talking about. This will tell you what dimensions and thicknesses of parts can be processed on it.
2. Make a layout and an estimated list of parts for a homemade desktop machine for DIY manufacturing.
3. Choose software by bringing it in working condition so that it works according to the given program.
4. Purchase the necessary components, parts, products.
5. Having drawings, make the missing elements with your own hands, assemble and debug ready product.

Design

A homemade machine consists of the following main parts:

• bed with a table placed on it;
• calipers with the ability to move the cutting cutter in three coordinates;
• spindle with cutter;
• guides for moving calipers and portal;
• a power supply unit that provides electricity to the motors, a controller or a switching board using microcircuits;
• drivers to stabilize the work;
• sawdust vacuum cleaner.

Guides are installed on the frame to move the portal along the Y axis. Guides are placed on the portal to move the caliper along the X axis. The spindle with the cutter is mounted on the caliper. It moves along its guides (Z-axis).

The controller and drivers provide automation of the CNC machine by transmitting commands to the electric motors. Using the Kcam software package allows you to use any controller and provides motor control in accordance with the part drawing entered into the program.

The design must be made rigid in order to withstand the working forces that arise during operation and not lead to vibrations. Vibrations will lead to a decrease in the quality of the resulting product, tool breakage. Therefore, the dimensions of the fasteners must ensure the solidity of the structure.

A homemade CNC milling machine is used to obtain a three-dimensional 3D image on wood detail. It is fixed on the table this device. It can also be used as an engraver. The design ensures the movement of the working body - the spindle with the cutter installed in accordance with the specified program of actions. The movement of the caliper along the X and Y axes occurs along polished guides using stepper motors.

Moving the spindle along the vertical Z axis allows you to change the depth of processing on the created drawing on the tree. To obtain a 3D relief drawing, you need to make drawings. It is advisable to use different kinds cutters that will allow you to get best options picture display.

Homemade multifunctional CNC router Homemade desktop CNC wood router Homemade metal bed CNC router

Selection of components

For guides, steel rods D = 12 mm are used. For better movement of the carriages, they are ground. Their length depends on the size of the table. You can use hardened steel rods from a dot matrix printer.

Stepper motors can be used from there. Their parameters: 24 V, 5 A.

It is desirable to provide fixing of cutters with a collet.

It is better to use a factory-made power supply for a home-made mini milling machine, since performance depends on it.

The controller needs to use capacitors and resistors in SMD packages for surface mounting.

Assembly

To assemble a home-made machine for milling 3D wood parts with your own hands, you need to make drawings, prepare essential tool, accessories, make the missing parts. After that, you can start assembling.

The do-it-yourself assembly sequence of a mini CNC machine with 3D processing consists of:

1. caliper guides are installed in the sidewalls together with the carriage (without screws).
2. the carriages are moved along the guides until their motion becomes smooth. Thus, the holes in the caliper are lapped.
3. tightening bolts on calipers.
4. fixing assembly units on the machine and installing screws.
5. installation of stepper motors and their connection with screws using couplings.
6. the controller is allocated in a separate block to reduce the influence of operating mechanisms on it.

A homemade CNC machine after assembly must be tested! Testing 3D processing is carried out by using sparing modes to identify all problems and fix them.

Operation in automatic mode is provided by software. Advanced computer users can use power supplies and drivers for controllers, stepper motors. The power supply converts the incoming alternating current (220 V, 50 Hz) into direct current necessary to power the controller and stepper motors. For them, machine control with personal computer passes through the LPT port. Working programs are Turbo CNC and VRI-CNC. CorelDRAW and ArtCAM graphic editor programs are used to prepare the drawings necessary for implementation in a tree.

Results

Homemade mini CNC milling machine for 3D parts is easy to operate, ensures accuracy and quality of processing. If you need to do more complex work, you need to use stepper motors of greater power (for example: 57BYGH-401A). In this case, to move the calipers, you need to use toothed belts to rotate the screws, and not a clutch.

The installation of the power supply (S-250-24), switching board, drivers can be done in the old case from the computer, modifying it. It can be equipped with a red "stop" button for emergency shutdown of equipment.

If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl+Enter.

stankiexpert.ru

Is it possible to make a CNC machine with your own hands?

Complex processing of various materials has long ceased to be the lot of factory shops. Twenty years ago, the maximum that home craftsmen could afford was figured sawing with a jigsaw. Today, manual routers and cutting lasers can be easily bought at the store. household tool. Various guides are provided for linear processing. But what about cutting complex shapes?

Elementary tasks can be completed using a template. However, this method has disadvantages: firstly, it is necessary to make the template itself, and secondly, the mechanical pattern has limitations on the size of the roundings. And finally, the error of such devices is too large.

A solution has long been found: a CNC machine allows you to cut out such complex shapes from plywood with your own hands, which “jigsaw operators” can only dream of.
The device is a system of coordinate positioning of the cutting tool, controlled computer program. That is, the processing head moves along the workpiece, in accordance with a given trajectory. Accuracy is only limited by the size of the cutting attachment (cutter or laser beam).

The possibilities of these machines are endless. There are models with two-dimensional and three-dimensional positioning. However, their cost is so high that the acquisition can only be justified by commercial use. It remains to assemble the CNC machine with your own hands.

How the coordinate system works

The basis of the machine is a powerful frame. The basis is a perfectly flat surface. It also serves as a desktop. The second basic element is the carriage on which the tool is fixed. It can be a dremel, a hand router, a laser gun - in general, any device capable of processing a workpiece. The carriage must move strictly in the plane of the frame.

Let's start with a 2D setup.

As a frame (base) for a do-it-yourself CNC machine, you can use the surface of the table. Most importantly, after adjusting all the elements, the structure no longer moves, remaining rigidly 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 is installed across, also consisting of parallel guides. The second axis is Y.
By setting the movement vectors along the X and Y axes, you can set the carriage (and with it the cutting tool) to any point on the plane of the desktop with high accuracy. By choosing the ratio of movement speeds along the axes, the program makes the tool move continuously along any, 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, the work table moves with the workpiece. There is no fundamental difference. Unless the dimensions of the base (and therefore the workpiece) are limited. But the circuit for supplying power to the working tool is simplified, there is no need to worry about flexible power cables.

The solution can be complex: the table moves along one axis, the carriage with the working head moves along the second axis.
With the help of such a system, it is possible to process products " continuous line cut." What does this mean? The cutting head, located in the plane of the workpiece, starts from the edge, and passes through the entire figure in a continuous cut. This limits the possibilities, but a two-dimensional wood CNC machine is easier to do with your own hands. The vertical position of the head is set manually.

Important! The cutting tool must have freedom of movement along the vertical axis. Otherwise, it will be impossible to work with nozzles of different sizes.

The next level of complexity is a three-coordinate homemade CNC machine. Doing it yourself is a little more difficult. The question is not even in mechanics, but in a more complex programming scheme.

The principle of the third hand of the mechanical part is that another set of guides is installed on the carriage. Now the tool has three degrees of freedom: X, Y, Z.
What does it give? First, you can cut closed shapes in the middle of the workpiece. The cutter will be installed above the beginning of the cut, descend to the specified depth, pass along the internal contour, and again rise above the plane of the workpiece. In a similar way, you can drill holes in given points. But most importantly, with the help of such a machine, you can cut three-dimensional shapes.
The carriage moves along the rails with the help of stepper motors. Assembling a CNC machine with your own hands makes it possible to choose a drive. If the priority is speed, a belt drive is installed. For high accuracy, a worm-threaded is used.

To make a CNC machine with your own hands, drawings and a three-dimensional model are required with the calculation of all three coordinates (axis of movement).

It is best to perform modeling in a profile program, such as AutoCAD. Before starting the design, you should purchase elements that cannot be made on your own: sliding units along the guides, stepper motors, drive belts.

The heart of such a machine is a programmable control unit. Conventionally, it consists of three parts:

1. An input module in which the workpiece processing scheme is placed. Its role can be played by a personal computer
2. processing unit that converts electronic model products into commands for actuators
3. Control module for actuators (stepper motors, working head). The same block receives signals from positioning sensors (if any).

The most progressive (and at the same time affordable) technology is the CNC machine on the Arduino processor. It can be assembled with your own hands and programmed in just a couple of weekends. The block diagram looks like this:
One module tracks the position of the tool relative to the workpiece in all three coordinates. The second module gives commands to the control unit of the coordinate motors. And the third module controls the operation of the cutting head (power on, rotation speed).

General control is carried out from a personal computer with specialized software control. It can be mastered by a user who knows how to work in graphic editors.
You set not only the stencil and the depth of processing of the workpiece, but even the path of movement of the working head of the tool to each point of the beginning of the cut or drilling. In addition, the program will tell you the best cutting shapes to minimize material loss.

Important! Before the final assembly and debugging of the carriage with the cutting (burning) tool, the control module should be "trained".

This can be done with a writing instrument and paper, it is not at all necessary to translate physical material. It is very important to determine the zero points of the coordinates. They are installed taking into account the error in the overall dimensions of the cutting head.

How to make a CNC machine with your own hands, examples of workable projects

If you plan to work with massive workpieces, and the three-dimensional component is not only about drilling holes, the machine is made of metal. Accordingly, the servos have enough power to overcome the inertia of the carriage and the heavy motor of the working router.
From a control point of view, the size of the machine does not matter, nor does the material of the bed. The moments of inertia are laid down when setting up the program and calibrating the servos. However, if you do not plan to make small architectural forms, the sled can be made compact and lightweight.

For example, from plywood:

This material is quite rigid, with proper assembly, the structure will not spring, which is especially important for precise positioning. But the main advantage of the tree is the lack of inertia and low weight. Therefore, compact servo drives with low power consumption can be installed.

Homemade CNC machine, video.

At the same time, the guides are still made of metal. These parts are subject to wear and are "responsible" for positioning accuracy.
Another direction is a do-it-yourself CNC laser machine. Some materials can be cut exactly (for example, thin plywood or plastic). This will require a fairly expensive laser gun. But the main application is artistic burning.
Conclusion: It is possible to make your own CNC machine. Absolutely free will not work, some elements cannot be made at home. But the savings (compared to a factory copy) are so significant that you will not regret the time spent.

Is it possible to make a CNC machine with your own hands? Link to main post

And so, within the framework of this article-instruction, I want you, together with the author of the project, a 21-year-old mechanic and designer, to make your own. The narration will be conducted in the first person, but know that, to my great regret, I am not sharing my experience, but only freely retelling the author of this project.

There will be a lot of drawings in this article, notes to them are made on English language, but I am sure that a real techie will understand everything without further ado. For ease of understanding, I will break the story into "steps".

Foreword from the author

Already at the age of 12, I dreamed of building a machine that would be able to create various things. A machine that will give me the ability to make any household item. Two years later, I came across the phrase CNC or more precisely, to the phrase "CNC milling machine". After I found out that there are people who can make such a machine on their own for their own needs, in their own garage, I realized that I could do it too. I must do it! For three months, I tried to collect the right parts, but did not budge. So my obsession gradually faded away.

In August 2013, the idea of ​​building a CNC milling machine re-engaged me. I had just completed my bachelor's degree from the University of Industrial Design, so I was quite confident in my abilities. Now I clearly understood the difference between me today and me five years ago. I learned how to work with metal, mastered the techniques of working on manual metalworking machines, but most importantly, I learned how to use development tools. I hope this tutorial will inspire you to create your own CNC machine!

Step 1: Design and CAD Model

It all starts with thoughtful design. I made several sketches to get a better feel for the size and shape of the future machine. After that I created a CAD model using SolidWorks. After I modeled all the parts and assemblies of the machine, I prepared technical drawings. I used these drawings for the manufacture of parts on manual metalworking machines: and.

To be honest, I love good handy tools. That is why I have tried to make the maintenance and adjustment of the machine as easy as possible. I placed the bearings in special blocks in order to be able to quickly replace. The guides are serviceable so my car will always be clean when the job is done.

Downloads "Step 1"

dimensions

Step 2: Bed

The bed provides the machine with the necessary rigidity. It will be equipped with a movable portal, stepper motors, Z-axis and spindle, and later the work surface. I used two 40x80mm Maytec aluminum profiles and two 10mm thick aluminum end plates to create the base frame. I connected all the elements to each other on aluminum corners. To strengthen the structure inside the main frame, I made an additional square frame from profiles of a smaller section.

In order to avoid dust on the rails in the future, I installed aluminum protective corners. The angle is mounted using T-nuts, which are installed in one of the grooves of the profile.

Both end plates are fitted with bearing blocks for mounting the drive screw.

Carrier frame assembly

Corners to protect the rails

Downloads "Step 2"

Drawings of the main elements of the bed

Step 3: Portal

The movable portal is the executive body of your machine, it moves along the X axis and carries the milling spindle and the Z axis support. The higher the portal, the thicker the workpiece that you can process. However, a high gantry is less resistant to the loads that occur during processing. The high side posts of the portal act as levers relative to the linear rolling bearings.

The main task that I planned to solve on my CNC milling machine was the processing of aluminum parts. Since the maximum thickness of aluminum blanks suitable for me is 60 mm, I decided to make the portal clearance (the distance from the working surface to the upper cross beam) equal to 125 mm. In SolidWorks, I converted all my measurements into a model and technical drawings. Due to the complexity of the parts, I processed them on an industrial CNC machining center, which additionally allowed me to process chamfers, which would be very difficult to do on a manual metal milling machine.

Downloads "Step 3"

Step 4: Z Axis Caliper

In the Z axis design, I used a front panel that attaches to the Y axis movement bearings, two plates to reinforce the assembly, a plate to mount the stepper motor and a panel to install milling spindle. On the front panel, I installed two profile guides along which the spindle will move along the Z axis. Please note that the Z axis screw does not have a counter support at the bottom.

Downloads "Step 4"

Step 5: Guides

Guides provide the ability to move in all directions, ensure smooth and precise movements. Any play in one of the directions can cause inaccuracies in the processing of your products. I chose the most expensive option - profiled hardened steel rails. This will allow the structure to withstand high loads and provide the positioning accuracy I need. To ensure the guides are parallel, I used a special indicator during their installation. The maximum deviation relative to each other was no more than 0.01 mm.

Step 6: Screws and Pulleys

Screws convert rotational motion from stepper motors into linear motion. When designing your machine, you can choose from several options for this assembly: A screw-nut pair or a ball screw pair (ball screw). The screw nut, as a rule, is subjected to more frictional forces during operation, and is also less accurate relative to the ball screw. If you need increased accuracy, then you definitely need to opt for a ball screw. But you should know that ball screws are quite expensive.

For many home craftsmen, it may seem that this is somewhere on the verge of fantasy, since this equipment is a device that is complex in design, technical and electronic terms.

Meanwhile, having the appropriate drawings at hand, the entire necessary material and a tool, a mini home-made woodworking machine equipped with CNC, you can do it yourself.

Of course, for this you will have to spend some effort, including financial ones, but nothing is impossible, and if you approach this issue correctly and with skill, everyone can do a home-made desktop milling machine for mini wood with a CNC unit. House master.

As you know, such a mini wood unit is distinguished by the accuracy of the processing, ease of management of all work processes, as well as high quality finished product.

Currently, there are several ways to implement a home-made desktop CNC milling machine in a mini version for working on wood and other materials.

First of all, you can purchase a special kit for assembling this type of structure, or you can do all the necessary work yourself, getting a finished product with high quality processing at the output.

If a decision is made to carry out all the necessary work on the design and assembly of a mini desktop milling machine for working on wood and other materials with CNC, with your own hands, then you should start by choosing the most optimal scheme for the future unit.

In this case, you can take a small old drilling machine as the initial equipment and replace the working body in the form of a drill directly with a cutter.

Be sure to think carefully about how the mechanism responsible for the necessary movement in three independent planes will be arranged.

You can try to assemble such a mechanism from recycled carriages from an old printer, which will make it possible to ensure the movement of the working cutter in two planes.

Here it will be possible to simply connect the necessary software, which will make it possible to make a home-made desktop CNC milling machine automatic, however, such a design can only work on wood, plastic or thin metal.

So that a self-made milling machine, assembled with your own hands, can perform more major operations, it must be equipped with a stepper motor with high power ratings.

This type of engine can be obtained from the standard version of the electric motor due to a slight refinement. This will completely eliminate the use of a screw drive, while all its advantages will be preserved in full.

Required force on the shaft homemade unit best transmitted through toothed belts.

In the event that, in order to ensure the necessary movement of the working cutter in a home-made CNC milling machine, it is decided to use home-made carriages from printers, then it is better to take these devices from large printer models for these purposes.

When creating a CNC milling unit with your own hands, Special attention should be given to the manufacture of the milling mechanism, which will require the appropriate drawings.

Assembly of the milling machine

It is best to take a rectangular beam as the basis of a home-made milling machine, which should be firmly fixed on the guides.

The whole structure must have high rigidity, while it is better if welding work will be kept to a minimum.

The fact is that in any case, the welding seams are subject to destruction and deformation under certain loads, during the operation of the machine, its bed will be subjected, among other things, to vibration, which may adversely affect these fastening elements, which, in turn, will lead to to a failure in the settings.

To increase rigidity, it is recommended to fasten the beam and fastening elements with screws of certain diameters.

This should completely eliminate the possible backlash during the operation of the CNC milling machine, as well as the deflection of the guides under severe loads.

By exactly the same principle, a self-made milling and engraving machine equipped with a CNC is assembled with its own hands. The do-it-yourself assembly process of a fairly functional CNC milling machine is described in detail in the video below.

In the design of the unit, it is mandatory to provide for the lifting of the working tool in a vertical position, for which it is recommended to use a screw gear.

In turn, for the necessary return of rotation directly to the lead screw, a toothed belt should be used.

the vertical axis, which is also obligatory element any CNC milling machine is made from aluminum plate.

It should be precisely adjusted to the dimensions that were obtained at the design stage of the unit and entered in the corresponding drawings.

At home, you can cast a vertical axis using a muffle plate, in which case you should take aluminum.

After that, two stepper motors should be mounted directly on the body immediately behind the axle, one of which will be responsible for horizontal movement, and the second, respectively, for vertical movement.

All rotation must be transmitted through the belts. After all the elements are in place, the home-made milling machine must be checked in operation with manual control, and if defects are identified, eliminate them on the spot.

A bit about stepper motors

Any CNC unit, including an engraving machine, is necessarily equipped with stepper-type electric motors.

When assembling homemade CNC milling equipment, engines from old dot matrix printers can be used as such a motor. Most dot matrix printers have two of these elements with sufficient power.

In addition, dot matrix printers also have steel rods made of durable steel, which can also be used in a homemade machine.

In this case, it should be noted that to assemble such a unit with your own hands, you will need three separate stepper motors, which means you will have to look for and disassemble two dot matrix printers.

It is better if such engines have about five individual wires control, since in this case the functionality of a home-made machine will increase several times.

When choosing stepper motors for a homemade CNC milling machine, it is necessary to find out the number of their degrees per step, as well as the operating voltage and winding resistance.

This will help subsequently to correctly configure all the hardware software.

It is best to fasten the stepper motor shaft with a rubber cable with a thick winding. It will also help when attaching the engine itself directly to the stud.

You can make clamps from a do-it-yourself sleeve with a screw. To do this, take nylon, and as a tool a drill and a file.

How to make an engraving and milling machine with a CNC block with your own hands is described in detail in the video below.

Electronic provision

The main element of any CNC machine is its software.

In this case, you can use homemade, which will include all necessary drivers for installed controllers, as well as stepper motors, and in addition, standard power supplies.

An LPT port is required. It will also be necessary to think about work program, which will provide not only control, but also management of all necessary modes of operation.

Directly the CNC unit itself should be connected to the milling unit through the above port, always through the installed motors.

When choosing the necessary software for a home-made machine, you need to rely on one that has already managed to prove its stable operation and has great functionality.
Video:

It should be remembered that electronics will mainly affect the accuracy and quality of all operations performed on CNC equipment.

After all the necessary electronics are installed, it is necessary to download all the programs and drivers necessary for the operation of the desktop milling machine.

Further, just before the machine begins to operate in its own way intended purpose, electronic software should be checked in operation and, if necessary, all identified shortcomings should be eliminated on the spot.

All the above operations for assembling a CNC milling machine with your own hands are also suitable for creating a home-made coordinate boring unit, as well as many other equipment of this class.

In any case, if all the work of assembling a CNC-equipped milling unit with your own hands is done correctly and in accordance with the technology, home master it will be possible to perform many complex operations, both on metal and on wood.

How to make your own CNC milling machine is described in detail in the video in our article.

In the home workshop, it is desirable to have the simplest desktop machines- drilling, grinding, etc. But if you need to perform precise work, then you can not do without a milling unit. To do this, you can make a simple CNC with your own hands. This can be done in two ways:

A homemade CNC machine is necessary for precise drilling or cutting, as well as turning parts.

• buy a kit for the manufacture of a similar design;
• make such a cutter yourself.

The first path is associated with certain financial expenses. Branded machines for home use have a relatively high price and not everyone can afford.

CNC requires certain knowledge and possession of the tool to create it.

Where to start designing a homemade router?

First you need to choose a suitable unit scheme. You can take an ordinary drilling machine as a basis, but instead of a drill, use a cutter as a working tool. Naturally, it will be necessary to think over the mechanism of its movement in three planes. Usually, for small units, redesigned carriages from the printer are used, with the help of which the working tool can move in two planes. This is also beneficial in terms of connecting software to work in automatic mode. But such designs have one drawback - they allow you to process wood, plastic and thin sheets metal (1-2 mm).

Therefore, for more serious CNC work, the router must have stepper motors with increased power. They can be made by refining standard electric motors of this class, which will make it possible to abandon the use of a screw transmission while maintaining all its advantages. To transfer force to the shaft, it is best to use toothed belts.

When using homemade carriages to move the working tool, you can use parts from large printers. One of the improvised designs of a similar type.

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Making a CNC router on your own

This machine in its design resembles samples of industrial units. Its basis is a low beam rectangular section directly attached to the rails. This allows you to get the desired rigidity of the structure and minimize welding work when creating a router.

A metal square pipe with a side of 75-85 mm was taken as the basis. For fastening to the guides, it is necessary to use soles of a rectangular type 65 x 25 mm. This eliminates the need for welding this stage work and will help with fine-tuning the router. This is also necessary for the correct setting of angles of 90 degrees. The main beam and the sole are connected using 4 M6 screws, which must be tightened to the stop in order to obtain the desired rigidity. This will eliminate the backlash, although deflection of the guides under heavy load and malfunctions in the plain bearings are possible (you can use any suitable ones, even Chinese ones).

The vertical lifting of the working tool is carried out using a screw gear, and a toothed belt is used to return rotation to the lead screw. This makes it possible to avoid beats, lower the center of gravity of the unit and save space. The vertical axis itself is made of aluminum plate. It must be processed on a milling machine according to the dimensions needed for a home-made machine. If there is a muffle furnace in the home workshop, then it can be cast from aluminum.

Behind the axis, two stepper motors must be installed: the first rotates the vertical displacement lead screw, and the second provides horizontal movement. Rotation is transmitted by belts. Some parts must be ordered from a turner if you do not have your own lathe.

After the manufacture of all elements and assembly, it is necessary to check the CNC router in operation, using manual control. After that, you need to deal with stepper motor controllers and software. If there is no relevant knowledge, then you can contact a company that has good programmers on staff.

You may also need a metal frame or artificial stone, which is better to order according to the desired size.

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What stepper motors can a homemade CNC have?

These are the most important elements future cutter.

In order to get such electric motors, it is necessary to disassemble old dot matrix printers (for example, Epson). Inside such machines there are two stepper motors and good hardened steel rods. To build a router, you need to have 3 electric motors, so you have to disassemble 2 printers.

In order to simplify the production of operations on a homemade machine, it is best to use motors with 5-6 control wires: they have good torque and are easy to work with. For the correct software setting, you need to know the number of their degrees per step, the operating voltage and winding resistance.

To drive to homemade CNC usually a nut and a stud are used. To fix the shaft of a stepper motor, a piece of thick-walled rubber cable is usually used; with its help, the electric motor is attached to the stud. Self-made bushings with a screw are used as clamps. They are made of nylon, using a drill and a file.

The condition for the performance of professional woodwork is the presence. Commercially available roads and not everyone can afford it. Therefore, many make them with their own hands, saving money and enjoying the creative process.

There are two options for the manufacture of mini machines for:

• purchase of a set of parts and its manufacture (Modelist kits costing from 40 to 110 thousand rubles);
• make it with your own hands.

Consider the manufacture of mini CNC milling machines with your own hands.

Choice of design features

The list of actions in the development, manufacture of a mini device for wood milling is as follows:

1. Initially, you need to decide what kind of work we are talking about. This will tell you what dimensions and thicknesses of parts can be processed on it.
2. Make a layout and an estimated list of parts for a homemade desktop machine for DIY manufacturing.
3. Select software to bring it into working condition so that it works according to a given program.
4. Purchase the necessary components, parts, products.
5. Having drawings, make the missing elements with your own hands, assemble and debug the finished product.

Design

A homemade machine consists of the following main parts:

• bed with a table placed on it;
• calipers with the ability to move the cutting cutter in three coordinates;
• spindle with cutter;
• guides for moving calipers and portal;
• a power supply unit that provides electricity to the motors, a controller or a switching board using microcircuits;
• drivers to stabilize the work;
• sawdust vacuum cleaner.

Guides are installed on the frame to move the portal along the Y axis. Guides are placed on the portal to move the caliper along the X axis. The spindle with the cutter is mounted on the caliper. It moves along its guides (Z-axis).

The controller and drivers provide automation of the CNC machine by transmitting commands to the electric motors. Using the Kcam software package allows you to use any controller and provides motor control in accordance with the part drawing entered into the program.

The design must be made rigid in order to withstand the working forces that arise during operation and not lead to vibrations. Vibrations will lead to a decrease in the quality of the resulting product, tool breakage. Therefore, the dimensions of the fasteners must ensure the solidity of the structure.

A homemade CNC milling machine is used to obtain a three-dimensional 3D image on a wooden part. It is attached to the table of this unit. It can also be used as an engraver. The design ensures the movement of the working body - the spindle with the cutter installed in accordance with the specified program of actions. The movement of the caliper along the X and Y axes occurs along polished guides using stepper motors.

Moving the spindle along the vertical Z axis allows you to change the depth of processing on the created drawing on the tree. To obtain a 3D relief drawing, you need to make drawings. It is advisable to use different types of cutters that will allow you to get the best image display options.

Selection of components

For guides, steel rods D = 12 mm are used. For better movement of the carriages, they are ground. Their length depends on the size of the table. You can use hardened steel rods from a dot matrix printer.

Stepper motors can be used from there. Their parameters: 24 V, 5 A.

It is desirable to provide fixing of cutters with a collet.

It is better to use a factory-made power supply for a home-made mini milling machine, since performance depends on it.

The controller needs to use capacitors and resistors in SMD packages for surface mounting.

Assembly

To assemble a home-made machine for milling 3D wood parts with your own hands, you need to make drawings, prepare the necessary tools, components, and make the missing parts. After that, you can start assembling.

The do-it-yourself assembly sequence of a mini CNC machine with 3D processing consists of:

1. caliper guides are installed in the sidewalls together with the carriage (without screws).
2. the carriages are moved along the guides until their motion becomes smooth. Thus, the holes in the caliper are lapped.
3. tightening bolts on calipers.
4. fixing assembly units on the machine and installing screws.
5. installation of stepper motors and their connection with screws using couplings.
6. the controller is allocated in a separate block to reduce the influence of operating mechanisms on it.

A homemade CNC machine after assembly must be tested! Testing 3D processing is carried out by using sparing modes to identify all problems and fix them.

Operation in automatic mode is provided by software. Advanced computer users can use power supplies and drivers for controllers, stepper motors. The power supply converts the incoming alternating current (220 V, 50 Hz) into direct current necessary to power the controller and stepper motors. For them, machine control from a personal computer passes through the LPT port. Working programs are Turbo CNC and VRI-CNC. CorelDRAW and ArtCAM graphic editor programs are used to prepare the drawings necessary for implementation in a tree.

Results

Homemade mini CNC milling machine for 3D parts is easy to operate, ensures accuracy and quality of processing. If you need to do more complex work, you need to use stepper motors of greater power (for example: 57BYGH-401A). In this case, to move the calipers, you need to use toothed belts to rotate the screws, and not a clutch.

The installation of the power supply (S-250-24), switching board, drivers can be done in the old case from the computer, modifying it. It can be equipped with a red "stop" button for emergency shutdown of equipment.