Homebrew CNC Engraver

[kd8wdave]

For my 'second' post, I guess I can show my "homebrew" CNC machine. A little unsure how to show the pics
here, but will give it a try. The machine frame is made of 1-in black-iron pipe. Saw this style from THIS website and decided to give it a try. My machine uses the 'Arduino-UNO' module. It uses the 'grbl' software ver 9. The step/direction commands from the Arduino are passed to three controller cards that I made using PIC processors. The PIC's pass the necessary driver step sequence to some "Dual-H-Bridge" drivers that in turn, drive the stepper(bipolar) motors.
I found quite a few interesting issues that had to be dealt with, and found it quite enjoyable to work on. Shown is an very old 'dremel tool' that I had, and used for a bit for testing and checking out milling/engraving . I have received my new 3-speed spindle , but don't have it mounted yet. Other more important things to do first, but hope to have it done in the next month or two. My X axis(left& right) is about 450 mm. The Y axis (front&rear) is about 150 mm and the Z axis is about 75-80 mm.





I use a program called 'inkscape' to do the drawing of the work-piece. There is a plug-in on the software that converts this image to the required 'g-code' file for the machine. I have found that I do have to check the file for 'grbl' compatibility and I'm still learning how this should work for best results.

Here are a pic of my new spindle mounted on the machine. I just finished this up today after
getting caught up from the last weeks 'ham radio' field day operation.


Hope this all shows up okay.
cheers

[Paul Jones]

kd8wdave,

This is so cool and looking forward to seeing your next version with the 3-speed spindle. I am also interested in the various homemade tools using the 'Arduino-UNO' module and the 'grbl' software after seeing John Saunders' YouTube channel NYCCNC on his adaptations. It is on my "to do" list.

Thank you for the posting!
Regards, Paul

[kbalch]

Thanks kd8wdave! I've added your CNC Engraver to our CNC and Electronics categories, as well as to your builder page: kd8wdave's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

CNC Engraver by kd8wdave

tags: CNC, engraver, Arduino, motor, controller

[proff11]

Hey Dave:
Amazing to see you on here; just so's you know, on here I am proff11, as Paul Jones was already taken. Glad to see you enjoying yourself. Don't be afraid to put up pictures of The Last Spindle; I may print them out and frame them.("See what Grandpa used to do before we all learned to speak Mandarin.")

[kd8wdave]

Thanks Paul, I'll be getting to it after FD is over. I made three hold-down clamps today. Tomorrow is radio/network checkout with another ham. Have to make sure all our station gear will network together for the upcoming contest.

cheers

[DIYer]

Great job! A homemade tool partly inspired by homemadetools.net.

[kbalch]

Hi kd8wdave,

Very impressive! Your CNC Engraver is the 'Tool of the Week'!

You'll be receiving one of our official HomemadeTools.net T-shirts:

Just let me have (via PM) your details (size, color choice, and mailing address) and we'll get things processed directly.

Congrats!

Ken

[kbalch]

This thread has been moved to the Must Read subforum. Congrats (and thanks) to kd8wdave for making such a valuable contribution!

[Nghe]

Toi cung dang muon lam mot may phay CNC dieu khien bang modul arduino uno nhung khong biet phai bat dau nhu the nao? xin cho mot loi khuyen , cam on

[pfredX1]

Sometimes I use Inkscape to make DXF files to be converted into G-Code. I have the gcodetools plugin for my copy of Inkscape, but I can't say I'm a big fan of it. So I use other applications for post processing, depending on the kind of job it is. I like that spindle. I have one of those Chinese "500 Watt" air cooled spindles and I am not entirely sold on it. It works, but the top RPM is awfully slow. As best as I can tell it is no where near 500 Watts either. More like 100 Watts according to measurements I've taken. Congratulations on winning tool of the Week. I don't think my CNC machine even got honorable mention on this site. Maybe the next one that I build will?