I'm curious if anyone knows of any plans for a diy 3D cnc or a cheap kit. I'm thinking I could use a 2'x4'.
I'm curious if anyone knows of any plans for a diy 3D cnc or a cheap kit. I'm thinking I could use a 2'x4'.
The Shapeoko qualifies as both a kit and plans.
Kits (partial or full) are available from Inventables.
The plans are available on Github: https://github.com/shapeoko/Shapeoko_2
B.O.M.: http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/BOM
Additional details on parts: http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/Parts
and the assembly instructions are here: http://docs.shapeoko.com/
The machine can be upgraded --- size is quite easy, just longer rails, supports where needed and longer belts: http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/Scaling_Up
Let me know if you have any questions (I did the assembly instructions in exchange for a free machine).
Thank you!
Tried to answer your question on the Inventables page, but it's not accepting them for some reason.
Inventables has a 1Mx1M upgrade: https://www.inventables.com/projects...ko-upgrade-kit
and you'd just need to purchase some additional wire, drag chain and longer MakerSlide and more side supports to extend the Y-axis to the size you'd need. I'd suggest going for 2M, which would allow you to just purchase a second wasteboard.
At this size you'll also need to make a table or bed which will need to be as square and level and rigid as you can manage.
2 by 4 feet is a fairly large work area in the hobby CNC router world. The larger the work area, the more difficult it is to create a gantry rigid enough to do precision cutting. I suggest you consider reducing your capacity requirements or increase your budget a little beyond a "cheap kit". I finally decided on a commercially grade unit from Camaster but I looked long and hard at the small kits from a company located here:
http://www.cncrouterparts.com/index.php
They also have good quality components and sub-assemblies in case you want to source your parts individually.
You have probably received all the ideas you need but just in case try searching instructables, several DIY there.
john
I am going with Keith. I usually hang out over on the Engravers Forum and at one point I was going to Build a laser engraver. Had a lot of the stuff ordered and started to do the math.... again, and time estimate. Ended up with a Chinese laser, a decent quality for about $1,000 less than my build cost.
At one time I owned a CNC router, a 12 x 24 from IM Service located in Michigan. It was really pretty good quality and it was about $2,200. You can also find small CNC routers on Craigslist or other sites listed for about 50% of what they cost new. Been in yours shoes many times, built it and sold it for a big loss as no one wants a homemade machine.
Retired Guy- Central Iowa.HVAC/R , Cloudray Galvo Fiber , -Windows 10
The word "cheap" is relative. $20,000 is considered cheap for someone who has a $200,000 machine. What's cheap?
Equipment: IS400, IS6000, VLS 6.60, LS100, HP4550, Ricoh GX e3300n, Hotronix STX20
Software: Adobe Suite & Gravostyle 5
Business: Trophy, Awards and Engraving
If a machine claims to do for $20,000 what would usually be expected from a $200,000 then that would be cheap.....however as my late Father tended to warn me..."Buy cheap, buy twice"
1st law of economics, "you cannot pay a little and get a lot"
cheers
Dave
You did what !
I was hoping to get the components to build one for around $1000. I'm not really interested in selling it. This is just for personal projects. If I were going into business, I could see spending $3000+ for a machine the size I'm needing. It's different when you're just wanting something to play with.
In My world "Cheap" is a Level of quality not a price.
There's a thread on a redesign of a ShapeOko:
shapeoko.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=3835#p28813
It discusses the capabilities of the current machine and one vision of an improved version (prototype being fashioned of acrylic) final version to be 1/4" aluminum alloys.
Goal is a ~$1,000 parts cost.
It also mentions the availability of polycarbonate wheels: http://openbuildspartstore.com/openb...-xtreme-wheel/ which unfortunately don't work w/ Makerslide.
Last edited by Bruce Page; 07-19-2014 at 12:42 PM. Reason: Removed active forum link per the TOS