CNC Engraver I Built

[Michael Simpson Virgina]

This is actualy the third one. So far its my favorite. I Built it to cut things my laser cant.

To keep everything acurate duting the design/build I lasered full size templates in illistration board. I then taped them to the parts and hand drilled and cut each piece.

NO CNC was used to build this. I plan on putting step my free step instructions up on one of my sites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcJHmpaC_yc

[Hannu Rinne]

Wow ! Great looking machine - what material is the body made of ?

Hannu

[Michael Simpson Virgina]

This one is made 100% from melamine particle board. I wanted to pick the absoultute worst material to get my design down. If it will work with this then it will work with baltic birch ply.

The thing is after using this material I like it. Its stiffer than MDF and mush lighter. The faces are water proof and the edges esily sealed since paint does not stick to the melamine you can clean it off with your finger nail.

The base is made from Steel.


This designed is aimed at the woodworker as it can be made from basic shop tools. I use only the following tools to build it.

Table Saw
Drill Press
Jig Saw
Portible Drill
Couple wrenches and sockets

The only soldering is to connect the wires to the homing switches. The rest of the wires are attached with screws or twist caps.

The rails can be alumninum or steel and can be purchased at your local home depot or Lowes.

It took me about a month to design and build. It can be built for around $1500 with most of that going twords the electrics and lead screws.

This version has a 14" x 31" cutting area. I did this size for a reason. Its usable for most of what I want to cut plus it can still be take through larger doors. It can be taken through a 34" door opening if you remove the side motor.

[George M. Perzel]

Michael;
Great job-really nicely put together! What software is used to drive it?
Thanks for sharing.
George
Laserarts

[Mike Null]

WOW !!!

That's impressive.

[Hannu Rinne]

Michael,

What would you think, is this construction strong enough to engrave some soft metals ( like aluminium and brass ) ? I've planned to build a lightweight and transferable engraver for a special purpose.

Hannu

[Rodne Gold]

Excellent work - I suppose once you have built your first one , you can use it to replicate itself

[Mike Christen]

Very nice work Michael, not only functional but very nice looking also.

What lead screws are you using and what kind of accuracy / backlash do you have. Really interested in part / supplier list, $1500 for everything?

[Doug Griffith]

Awesome job. I'm sure it's very rewarding when you see it run.

[Larry Bratton]

Wow! Awesome job. What HP is the router you are using?

[john passek]

Awsome job Michael, am looking forward to seeing it actually cutting and operating, keep us posted please.

[Michael Simpson Virgina]

The router is a Festool MFK 700 EQ. On paper is on par with the 1HP bosh Colt but in reality it blows it away. Unlike the bosh colt it is electricly conductive so works well with probes for setting the Z axis.


Im not sure about cutting metal. But its alot more ridgid than my other builds that were MDF. Personaly I think a metal cutting cnc should have a fixed gantry.

This machine was mainly to cut 1/8" to 1" stock and to engrave profiles. I am working on a Foredome spindle mount so I can use my diamond bits to engrave tiles and glass.

Keep in mind the $1500 I have invested does not count the router or software.

Router, MFK 700 EQ, $400
Mach3 Controller Software, $175
Cut2D CAM software, $149
Corel Draw X5 CAD Software, $399
Autocad Lt, $900
PC, $900

As a minimum you need the Mach 3 controler software. You can use the free version but in order to do any real parts you will need to purchase.

Cut2D is great for converting eps, dxf, or pdf 2D vectors into 3D gcode.

I make robotic controller chips so one of my goals is to create a stand alone interface that lets a wood worker use the cnc to cut simple shapes into project pieces using a simple interface.

[Michael Simpson Virgina]

Here is a picture of the dust collector attachement. It connects to a Mini cyclone and Fien vacume.

[Frank Corker]

Mike that looks like an incredible machine. Well done.

[Brian J Rogalny]

Great use of FESTOOL, one of the best tools I have ever used.