Looking for CNC machine

[AndyT]

Ok, I'm convinced that having a tabletop CNC router will allow me to cut my own panels and other goodies. Now I just need to know what's the best one for the least amount of money. Or should I build one?

[Lewis Simmons]

Build one. I'm looking at these websites where you buy the plans and it looks a heck of a lot cheaper to do and it means you know the machine inside out.

[AndyT]

So who has the best plans? Prices? Features I can build in? I have a very powerful roto-tool already with a flexible shaft that I can use.

[Lewis Simmons]

Well my recommendation would be google. I'm new to it all also but I have been looking at prices recently and I think this is the way to go.

Price will depend on what you want to do in the end, how much cutting area, what to cut. Obviously the greater cutting area, the higher the price but if you wish to cut metals other than aluminium then the price will go up as you have to have some more bits here and there for that.

[fweinrebe]

I am in the planning phase of building my own CNC. I use the one on this page. http://computer-numerical-control.wpblogspot.com/. The plan is for free. One can also download a SolidWorks 3D plan of the CNC. The SolidWorks viewer can be downloaded for free.

It might be on the smaller side, if you want to do large panels.

[AndyT]

What about software? Is there a free CNC CAD controller? Or will I have to buy Solidworks or what?

[AndyT]

This would be very easy to scale up and the roto-tool he uses is almost the same one I have.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6drMZqmyXQc

[fweinrebe]

Solidworks is not for free. Except for the reader which is needed to see the plan in 3D.

There is a program call Solid Edge (version 20) which is now owned by Siemens. According to their website the 2D part of their program is for free.

Then you need some CAM software as well for converting the CAD file into G-Code for the CNC Software to work. I am still researching in that area for free software.

Then for the G-code to be executes and the commands send to your controller board, you need software like Mach3 which is free up to 500 G-code commands. For more you need to buy it. There is a free Linux program which does the same as Mach3. It is called EMC2.

Look at this page for the links: http://www.probotix.com/cnc_software/

There is a great value for money supplier of a controller board: http://www.hobbycnc.com. They even have a plan for a CNC as well. (Pitty they don't ship to Namibia)

Then there is another MyCockpit member's site that actually uses the above mentioned controller board and motors. http://www.hoddo.net/cnc.html. Do yourself a favour and look at the videos as well, very inspiring.

[fweinrebe]

I did this CNC Basics e-course (free) to learn the basics of how CNC works. It helped a lot to understand how to get started and what is needed. It is short and simple.

http://www.cncinformation.com/CNCBlo...teps-learn-cnc.

It is compiled by a guy named Ivan Irons which hosts the website: http://www.cncinformation.com.

[JW&Partner]

Hello,

as we are using several different CNC routers with different software you first have to decide the application you need it for. What kind of material do you want to cut? Depending what material you have to decide weather the machine needs to have linear bearings with ballscrew. I would recommend not to save on tools. There are many suppliers worldwide selling cheap machines you can use for balsacutting etc. It's ok if you don't want to be precice to 0.01mm if you want to engrave etc. You need to have a solid machine. If you have special questions feel free to contact me.

regards Jörg