Since we may be contracting 3rd party to make PCBs and supply parts for the CNC, I'd like to gauge how much real interest there is in buying one of these machines, when we're done.

Keep in mind that this is not a commitment, just think to yourself to see how serious you would be, and comment yay or nay.

Update June 8th, 20122:

Ok, just counting heads.  So far it's 17 people.  Let me know if I missed anyone.

My personal budget for this is $1000-$1200, so any higher, and I'm out, but of course would continue to do my best to get this done for everyone!

Here's a list of "yays" so far (again no commitment assumed):

Dany Thivierge 
 Monroe
 Ellison Chan
 Kevin Bouchard 
Eric Tweet
Eoin
 yovio
 John C. 
Fred
Ruwan
 Raversspesh
 924aussie Alan
 Terry 
arashi
Dave C
 Nick Joyce
 Andrew Adams

Drive System Survey

Franco Scipioni has set up a survey to gauge interest in which system we want to have on the system.

Access the survey here:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2SRRRWT

To summarize:

Servo System:

  • has rotational encoders to allow exact motor control
  • position encoders, so that tool head can be positioned precisely
  • uses DC motors
  • requires development or use of a custom circuit board to drive the motors
  • more expensive solution

Stepper System

  • no rotational encoders, so will not allow exact motor control
  • position encoders, may still be possible
  • uses stepper motors
  • no custom circuit boards needed, motor systems easily available
  • cheaper than servo system

Views: 4420

Replies to This Discussion

I commit!  :)   

Are the drawings/sketches close to final yet?

Did we come up with a ball park estimate of the price?

I've been accumulating hardware for my 'next' machine anyway so getting in with this group would not be hard.

I completely commit to a 'not a commitment'. ;)

We're working on it.  Right now, we're trying to get a board maker for the UHU servo board, but I need to gauge interest so that I can indicate to them what kind of volumes they can expect for the board.  That, of course, will determine how much they will charge for the boards.

If anyone had any doubts, I'm in.

I shall take one!

In the pursuit to make a better mouse trap one that is affordable and within reach of the average Jo. I admire the enthusiasm and  pure genius you guys  have put into the project If the project is to remain in cyber space there is no limit to how much$ can be spent or what the machine can do or what could be added to it (lasers etc). However when the practicality of reality steps in it is going to cost more than 50 to 200 Dollars  The machining on the parts will be more than that even if the material

is free.It only becomes practical with Volume 10 units? 20units?and it has to be better than what is already out there and the price. $1K ? $2K  $2K is a lot of $ to the average Jo.I think you guys should keep going develop software that will revolutionize the industry  (you are already on the edge )invent a machine like nothing else out there  come up with a set of drawings for the machine . then sell the software and drawings to a manufacturer  that is already has the tooling in place to make the machines and each of you that helped develop it gets one for free. (maby a royalty!) If you start cutting corners to keep the costs down it will go no where . Unless when you get to the drawing stage every body makes their own in their own time .Life lessons learned  If you start with junk you will end with Junk  if you don't do it right the first time because you are in a hurry you will have lots of thime to do it right the second time  go cheap you will spent twice as much replacing it .Don't give up keep going.My computing skills are so bad I wouldn't even know how to turn it on?You guys have a great day!

no you are missing the point.... we (4-5 of us) NEED a CNC machine right now... instead of paying $800-$1200 for a machine that will not cut aluminium and will have limitations that we would like to remove we decided to see if we could build one ourselves.  There is no money to make, no profit to take from this.  And although we are using the DIYDrones forums we have no affiliation to 3DRobotics or anything else.  This is just our common passion for DIY things and the usage we can do of it to build more awesome drones that keep us here. I am sure there is a lot of dedicated place for build your own CNC machine and Ellison and Monroe are on it reading all that can be read and taking the best advises. 

In the end we will for sure have a better machine and cheaper... and we will have fun doing it while learning! 

dont worry, we will post a lot of pictures when we are playing with hardware!

+You are right Danny!

You like I stated from the very beginning my top end budget is $1200, and would rather spend under $1000.  Hopefully, we can achieve that.  Getting parts in quantity, will help to drive some of that price down, so the more people we can get on board, the cheaper we can potentially make the machine.

Hey Guys !
I'm definitely in !
As I said I'll help anyway I can, but building one is a new area to me.
As it progress's I might see an area where I can be of help.
I purchased some plans online from a company and I'm sure we could do a group buy and not only save a substantial amount of money but probably get some outstanding support as well. I will contact him and see what, if anything, he's willing to do for us. Of course I would not commit us to anything but will report back to the group. The first thing I will ask is if it's ok to share the plans w you guys. For the purpose of review. Another plus is that he's physically located less than an hours drive from me.
I have NO affiliation or financial attachment to the guy, and I'm not suggesting nor would I like to be point man on this. In fact, I bugged him for several months and then didnt buy anything but his DVD so I'm not sure he really likes me very much....
This could give guys who are ready to go a chance to get started while the rest get in later and still give us all the advantage of being on the same system for support.
C

At this points, we in the Request for Quotes (RFQ) stage.  Feel free to contact anyone for quotes, bring them here and I'll add it to the top of the discussion, and then we can make a final decision, as a group.  I have gotten a ping from my guy at SOC Robotics, regarding the UHU controller board, and I sent him the latest SMD version, with the gerbers.  He's been a little busy with exhibiting at the Vancouver Maker Faire, apparently.

RSS

Social Networking

Contests

Season Two of the Trust Time Trial (T3) Contest has now begun. The fourth round is an accuracy round for multicopters, which requires contestants to fly a cube. The deadline is April 14th.

A list of all T3 contests is here

Groups

Advertisement

© 2013   Created by Chris Anderson.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service