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1. Principles and practices

What should I do this week?

Learning outcomes

  • Communicate an initial project proposal

Have you?

  • Read the Fab Charter
  • Sketched your final project idea/s
  • Described what it will do and who will use it

Introduction

This week I worked on defining my final project idea and started to getting used to the documentation process.

First Ideas

For my final project, I want to build a Low Cost, rigid and robust CNC mill, capable of machining, wood, acrilic, PCBs, and maybe aluminium (slowly), with great precision.

First Sketches

Features for the CNC Mill

  • DIY modular Motherboard
  • 4020 aluminium profiles for main Structure.
  • 500W spindle (DC motor with speed control).
  • T8 leadscrew with POM anti-backlash nuts
  • Nema 17 stepper motors
  • Dual y axis motors with auto squaring.
  • 5mm aluminium panels for the X and Y axis.
  • 12mm linear Rails for the Z axis
  • 3D printed and laser cutted clamping system.
  • other ideas to be defined.
It is quite hard to find in the market a rigid and robust machine under 1000 USD, so I think this machine will be a nice project to develop and replicate in order to obtain nice results al a low price range.
I think the legs of the machine will be 3D printed, and also the Y steppers supports. The panels will be aluminium.

What will do and Who will use it?

It will be able to make 2D and 3D CNC milling of mdf, plywood, and maybe aluminium, also it will be able to make custom PCBs, it will be designed for people who want to make very precise milling and don´t have a big budget behind them.
Last update: February 28, 2022