Keep up the good work!

I have not been able to work on it for a few days, everytime i go to paint it seems to rain.

RAIN!???! man i wish we had to worry about that!

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/c...es/CAQC0611.htm

here's the weather at my place !!!

lol!

Hello Joe, another question here. How many sheets of MDF are you going through to make this project. It looks like at least two. And have/would you ever considered making it out of the polystyrene that you use in the other parts?
Thanks

close to 4 sheets, and a 1/4" and small amount of 3/4"

HDPE, has gone very high in price, and also would add weight to the machine, but yes i can be done with no problem.

Joe

Hi Joe,

Thanks for sending me the video of your masterpiece, I have watched it and it seems to work very, very well. Building a machine like that gives one not only respect, it gives a whole new DIY world to play with. I can't wait to see the final result!

I have some questions, why didn't you build the machine in aluminium or in an other metall material? What program do you use to controll the CNC machine? What hardware do you have between the computer and the machine and how do you connect it e.g. USB-, Serialport? What program du you use to make those 3D drawings? Autodesk Inventor 10?

I use Autodesk's Inventor 10 program for designing my projector and other projects.

I wished I had one of those CNC machines myself. My next project after building a projector will definentely be a CNC machine. Thanks for the inspiration Joe!

Is it possible for you to give us some photos of how the whole monster looks like at the moment?

Best regards,
TJ

Making the machine out of alumn or other material would be a total different design, because the torsion boxes would not be necessary, and also would drive the cost up considerable, because i would have to outsource alot of the parts, and also would not be as fun... lol

Currently I Use Mach3 which i have found to be one of the mest to make the machine run very smooth under the windows environment, for linux i would Use EMC soon to be ENC2, I draw parts in acad then transfer to solid works to ensure of all the holes and lineup of all the parts, easy to see if i have any errors or not.

the hardware is the HobbyCNC package which runs from the printer port.

Joe

Well my daughter made a request to paint the machine John Deere colors.

What do you guys think?

Thanks for the answer Joe

About the picture, naah, I thing the white paint you have now has more class. With the green and yellow color it looks like a big toy

Best regards,
TJ

Yes, I agree i was thinking the same thing, and looks like a more professional and stream line look.

Exactly!

i like the john deere colors - very trucker chic

saw the JDG on the 'Zone...
maaan.
Wonder if you can officially license it w/ JD?

Started painting the pieces white primer, I think i will stick to the white, it just looks so much cleaner and streamlined.

Joe

Made a new X Axis Bearing slide for the inside of the Gantry side, this one made out of all HDPE, after screwing it together i was not able to move the bearing block inside with my fingers I had to lightly tap it with a hammer to make it slide which is exactly how i want it so there is no movement at all when installed and the 4 bolts adjusted from the outside will push it against the rails.

Keep us updated
Always fun to see an update of your CNC project Joe

Best regards,
TJ

why not neon pink?

Just when I thought I couldn't possibly allow myself to add any more projects to my garage. Of course you would have to be building the coolest project ever. So now I must build one. It will help me buil the alum PJ I want to build, and will clearly help many other projects get done. Since I first saw your threads about a week ago, I have immersed myself into the cnczone, spending way too many hours reading posts into the morning. Needless to say, the future mech. eng. in me has to build one.

So are you done tinkering with this version yet? Ready to start cutting out kits? Add my name to the list when you're ready to cut. I just don't have the tools to make any of these precise cuts(or I'm too lazy to make a bunch of super complicated jigs for the router).

BTW, kudos on the dual rail system. Since I first found this project a week ago, the thing I have thought on most is rail systems. Since I want a large machine like yours, with at least a 2'x4' cutting area, rail options are limited, and an engineered solution is what's needed(other than a $1000 retail rail system). I haven't been able to come up with a more economical or stable solution that does an adequate job of maintaining it's trueness than yours.

At some point I'd like to build a CNC capable of cutting a full 4'x8' sheet. This seems like the most logical goal for a final machine(if you have the space for it of course). At least for my uses. I think your dual rail system may be the first step towards an economical machine that can cut a full sheet within acceptable tolerances. Have you ever considered making a CNC router that large? In your opinion, could your rail system handle 8 feet of travel and remain true? Inquiring minds want to know...

Thanks for being an inspiration! DIY CNC is the shit! Holla! lol

Oh yeah, regarding the paint scheme.
A wise man once said, "Seriousness is the only refuge of the shallow." Oscar Wilde I think.

He's right. We need to remind ourselves to have a little fun now and then. So the all white looks classier. If you paint it John deere green and yellow, people will always get a kick out of it. They'll smile or laugh when they see it on the web. You could get a rad mesh john deere cap to wear while you operate it.(big points with the ladies on that one)

And besides all that, you'll think of your daughter everytime you use it cause she came up with the idea, and she'll think you're the coolest for using her idea.

just my 2 cents

any way you paint it, it'll still be one helluva machine

Fo' Shizzle!

Yes that was the limiting factor in alot of the Diy machines being built, after many hours of research (well reading) i came up with this and what a simple solution it was. It has solved many problems of unwanted movement of the gantry and makes it solid.



Yes I have a few Idea's that I will impliment towards the middle of this year that will allow me to make an all wood/mdf CNC Machine with a 4'x8' cutting area.

The present machine (CNC Model 2006) is not a cheap machine to build average would be from 800-1,000 depending on your resources (which is only a little more than what the other's spend on machines of lesser capability.

However, I believe it will hold its own agains machines that are 3,500.00 that are not as big, and the 5,000.00 machines that i see about the same size.

the 4'x8' i have in mind will be about 1,500 or a little more, but will work like a 10,000.00 machine...

Now thats DIY CNC in a big way.... lol

Joe

you wouldn't happen to have plans for a 17" Haas-style projector box, would you?

No not yet, but would be easy to do, just need diminsions.

And also to make one with the pro lens's I would fold the image side and project out the front side, and just place the projector sideways, which will still look good and possibly fit better on a shelf or such.

i've sent a PM so that this stays on-topic.

Funny somebody mention 4X8. I'm seriously, seriously in the thinkage stages of such an animal.. myself.

..and I like what faithblinded say about your color, Joe! (...you'll think of your daughter everytime you use it cause she came up with the idea...)

I took all the pics of the Haas Box, and redrew them in a 1/4 scale size (So they'd fit on my present mill), and they turned out very nice.. I suppose I could screw around with a 4" LCD, buuuut....

oouuuuu pocket projector!!!!

Well have not posted in a few days because i have been busy at work and also working on the CNC Machine in spare time, painted everything (descided on white for the pro look) also cutting all the HDPE pieces.

Here are all the HDPE Pieces which will be used in the machine.

These are what will be included in a kit (minus the hardware) I will make for people who are interested in the machine.

Thanks, Joe

Great looking parts Joe. True quality.

all i have to say is WOW!

Here is a link tot he PDF file with pictures of all the parts I can cut fot it, just trying to figure out a final cost, maybe ya'll can give some suggestions, it is a lot of time involved to cut the parts, and material setup. I can also make the Bearing Slides, 8 total.

Joe

http://www.lumenlab.com/~joe2000chevy/CNC_...Kit%20Parts.pdf

I've got one thing to say! 4X8 mill.. and nesting software...and
(un no.. two things, I guess) lol

So.. selling a kit? Or selling plans? Or selling some parts/and plans? Or selling G-codes? Dxf's? plt's? stl's?

Everything looks so nice, and fit well. Like an advanced Sauder bookshelf! I don't mean to sound snide, but you gonna put them little A and B and C stickers on the parts?

and one last question from Jefftt: What're the workspace specs (cutting area)?

Another last question: Is that MDF or HDF? Looks like HDF (akin to brand name MASONITE™)

it is MDF, I can provide the kits with the e-drawings and I will try to do an exploaded view of the assemblies. no stickers, i figure the person putting this together will be an average or above average DIY person, so if a person has have trouble putting together paint by number or assembly by number, it may not be the best project for them. I feel with what if will provide it should be rather easy for people. I really have no desire to sell plans, however if someone wants the files i may be talked into providing the solid works files for measurements, (eventho the e-drawings will be available with deasure and expost mode turned on).

the cutting travel area is 25"x49"x7" (now) with the redesign of the lighter version.

joe

Here are the e-drawings for your review, they have the measure feature in solidworks e-drawing viewer (free) turned on.

Let me know what you think, and if you see something i forgot.

By downloading these plans you are agreeing to use them for personal use ONLY! not to be used in any reproduction of the machine or parts other than personal use without my expressed permission.

http://www.lumenlab.com/~joe2000chevy/CNC_...6_Kit_Parts.pdf

Thanks, Joe

it looks absolutely Fantastic!

I now just wish I had the money to make one of these... wow!

Keep up the good work, joe!

...looks....skeletal!

Ohh my Joe,

Truly amazing, can't find any words expressing my respect for your CNC project.
How long time have you been working on this?

A CNC machine will definitely be my next DIY project after building my projector. Thanks for the inspiration Joe!

Best regards,
TJ

Started this new build CNC Model 2006 back in the Mid part of December, 2005 it has been fun, but alot of work..

Joe

Hi, just taking a look at this. I currently already have a 4x8 commercial dual head cnc router. I grew up working with my father who is a professional woodworker/designer. Its nice to see a really thought out cnc machine. I'm 23 now, but I started programming cnc equipment at age 10. We actually had a 20' by 40' 5-axis router with 15 foot z clearance (had to take part of a roof off to fit it in) router that we got from goodyear back in 98. This baby was used to make the body work for mac trucks and we used it for some really amazing woodworking and also built custom jobs for all kinds of companies. It was a real pain to program though. If you made a mistake it could go anywhere in 3 dimensions
Anyway, I'm going to build myself a cnc for use at home. The cnc I have is in another part of the state (manufacturing plant) so i would love to have my own in my garage for furniture/home projects. If you don't mind me asking what was your total cost to build? Oh and I'd like to say that is really awesome of you to post those easm drawings. It would make it very easy for me to build a duplicate of your current model with some minor engineering changes to suit my needs (clearance needs to be higher and such) and then convert to my cad program of choice for cnc output. Anyway as soon as I get a chance to start I'm sure I'll be sending you some emails

i would be very interested in total cost as well

Here is a quick Hardware list if additional parts that will need to be obtained for the build, and also I Used the HobbyCNC.com 200oz 3 axis cnc kit to run at 80ipm.

http://www.lumenlab.com/~joe2000chevy/CNC_...are_Listing.pdf

Joe

Joe I am kind of new to this CNC stuff, what would be the natural progression for taking the edrawing files and making the codes to cut the parts?

you would need to put them into some kind of cad/cam program and generate the g-code (you should start studying or looking at g-code in general)

Putting this together in my spare time is taking a little longer than anticipated.
I thought I would show a picture of the Bearing slide adjustment nuts (5/16") which are installed to pull the bearings up snug against the rails at the top of the Z Axis carrage and the right side of the gantry. And here is a picture of the gantry (weight is 53.5lbs as compaired to 75lbs of the 1st one).

Got all the Bearing slides made and installed, also took pictures of the bearing slide adjusters, on the rt. side of the gantry and also for the Y axis bearing inside the Z Axis cariage as shown on the top. You can also see the 38" length of 4-1/4" threaded rod running through the gantry torsion box.

Two or three more evenings i will be finished with it, this one hass all new parts none used from my other machine. I am also keeping track of sizes of all the bolts, washers and nuts needed.

looks like it's coming along nicely!

Looken good joe !

Got the Z Axis Bearing Slide Installed, Here is a list of the hardware.

4 - U-Bolts (5/16" x 2" x 4-1/2")
5/16" I.D. Clear Hose

Also Here is the 3/4" drill rod cut to 14 3/4" lengths and ground the ends at slight 45, they fit very tight into the Holes in the Z Axis Carriage.

I will dremel the extra thread which sticks out.

more......

I love how you use the u-bolts. It looks so clean!

...I've seen that somewhere b4.. for the life of me, I can't remember where...