HOW TO BUILD A CNC MACHINE (for a hobbyist) - hints and practical advices
In the beginning, CNC milling machine is a tool that offers many various possibilities of milling. With CNC machine, we can work with various materials such as foam, polystyrene, plastics, wood, aluminium or even steel. Polish group of DIY enthusiasts is still growing (which truly makes us very happy) and as a result, we decided to create a series of guides, where we will describe the process of building a simple 3-axis CNC milling machine. Machine, which will be ideal start to your adventure with CNC.
How to Build a homemade CNC milling machine based on the V-SLOT OpenBuilds system.
In our guides, we will focus on building a CNC machine that uses OpenBuilds V-SLOT system components - We will use the C-BEAM milling project. Our construction will consist of V-SLOT 2060 and C-BEAM aluminium profiles, plates, and V-SLOT rollers compatible with V-profiles.
ATTENTION! THE VLOG IS STILL CREATED, IN A WHILE THERE WILL BE GRAPHICS AND OTHER MATERIALS ATTACHED TO THE ARTICLE WHICH WILL BE HELPFUL IN A CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
The C-BEAM milling machine in a few words
At the beginning, few words about the capabilities of the C-BEAM milling machine. As we mentioned before, the C-BEAM CNC milling machine model is an interesting construction which is ideal as the first CNC machine for lot of people. The C-BEAM CNC milling machine allows you to learn the basics of the construction of CNC machines and about the milling process. This model in a major part consists of aluminium components, thanks to which we can obtain good, solid, and stable construction which can be improved in the future. The unit uses NEMA 23 stepper motors, X / Y / Z movement is possible thanks to the use of ACME 8mm propellers. Entire system can be controlled by a BlackBox controller or Arduino based electronics devices. The working field in the X / Y surface is 350x280mm. Possibility of processing materials with a thickness approximately 35 mm allows to work with many materials, create many projects and at the same time the whole structure is not very large.
The milling machine will be perfect in the processing of foams, plastics, electronic boards, PCBs. Will also in work with MDF, soft and rigid wood and even allows to light work with aluminium!
Who is the C-BEAM milling machine for?
The C-BEAM milling machine will be suitable for the hobbyist, DIY enthusiast, entrepreneur, artist, or scientist. Many people are asking the question, how to build a CNC milling machine or how to build a wood router. Another common doubt is which milling machine choose to learning purposes.The C-BEAM milling machine model is made for DIY enthusiasts, hobbyists, people who would like to learn about the operation and construction of CNC machines. Is ideal as a milling machine to learn whole milling process and that make it good choose for universities uses.
However, this CNC milling machine should not be considerate only as an educational machine
The C-BEAM milling machine has already found numerous applications in small, medium, and large enterprises. It is ideal support in companies which provides diverse prototypes of models and in companies which produce small detail series or create their own (often unique) products.
This model is also very popular among the people who ask themselves, what milling machine to buy for the home and are looking for a "desktop" milling machine or otherwise - milling machine for a desk.
So, if you are looking for a small CNC milling machine or for a guide, which will answer to all your question such as, "how to build a CNC milling machine or how to start milling in various materials", we can go through all stages of construction together!
How to build a CNC milling machine - components and tools list
We will build the milling machine based on the V-SLOT system. For this reason, we have completed for you a list of parts that you will need.
CLICK ON LINK: LIST OF PARTS
In addition, apart from necessary components to build a CNC milling machine, you will need basic workshop tools.
You may need tools such as:
- Wallpaper knife
- Scissors
- Screwdriver / screwdriver set
- Allen keys
- Screwdriver
- Screw Tap
- Socket wrench (8)
- Soldering iron (with tin etc.)
- Bar clamp0
A dozen or so hours of patience and (probably) bigger desk.
To this article, we have created for you video materials published on our YouTube channel. Material, where you can watch the entire construction process and get to know it. Unfortunately, we are not professional movie makers and sometimes (in the editing part) it turns out that we can see how many stages and details the video material does not present as well as we wish. Therefore, we kindly ask you to understand if the film sometimes does not show everything as if you wish or don't present all wanted stages. We are trying to improve the quality of the content presented in the video with each subsequent film, and if necessary, don't hesitate to contact us, we can record additional materials.
WE ARE BEGINNING CONSTRUCTION OF A CNC MILLING MACHINE!
STEP 1 - Do it yourself! Construction of a CNC milling machine - structure
We will divide the whole construction process of the milling machine into several posts and video materials. In the first part of this series, we will present you how to build a mechanical structure of a CNC milling machine.
To build that structure, you will need elements which can be found in the list of mechanical components.
Construction time is approximately 4-8 hours.
Difficulty: 2.5/5
The construction process is presented in attached video material where you can see:
- How to build a frame for a C-BEAM CNC milling machine
- How to build X / Y / Z axis guides
The video material shows the construction of the entire milling frame, and individual trolleys, installation of the spindle holder and of propellers for the X / Y / Z axis and some others.
We invite you to watch the video material.
ADDITIONAL GRAPHICS AND DESCRIPTION COMING SOON.
In stage 2m in the next article we will briefly discuss and present how to install motors and all electronics!
