CNC router project

Ever since I first stepped into the machine shop in Illinois Institute of Technology, I have been amazed by the industrial CNC machine. Since then, I have decided to make a portable and yet functional CNC router.

After gathering information for a hooby CNC router, I set some functional requirements for my CNC router

-- It has to be low cost, which is below $400.

-- It will have to cut wood easily and metal pieces with thickness less than 3cm.

-- It will have a cutting space of 50cm*50cm*25cm

-- The machine size will have to less than 60cm*60cm*40cm

-- The CNC router has to be connected to PC/laptop through USB port.

By reviewing the functional requirements I can make sure my products meets my target for the CNC router while designing. A final design has been done using Autodesk Inventor. V slot has been chosen as it can be used for frame and linear motion path at the same time.

The linear motion for x and y axis will be using belt and pinion mechanism. This mechanism requires a few sets of bearing wheels, timing pulley, and timing belt. Timing belts are a fanstatic way in transfering rotational motion from stepper motors to linear motion. They have a special profile with rounded teeth which reduces slippage.

Lead screw has been used in z-axis linear motion. Lead screw principle has been used for centuries to

convert rotary motion into linear motion with a high

transmission ratio

ELECTRONIC PARTS

Arduino with TB6560 driver board has been used to control the lineat motion for 3 axis. By using Arduno, I am able to coneect the whole router using USB port and hence is more user friendly. Software EFL has been chosen for sending G codes to Arduino and driver board. The wiring information is shown below.