I'm thinking seriously about getting a CNC. Been browsing on Ebay. Mostly these China made 3020 cnc machines are popping up, and they all seem to be relatively well priced. Just thought I'd get some opinions from members on any actual experience on these. Also any recommendations on getting a hobby CNC machine in general would be greatly appreciated. I'm planning on using the machine to make hub plates, motor mounts, etc. I'd probably be milling aluminium and/or carbon fibre.
LIST OF EQUIPMENT UNDER CONSIDERATION:
Motors/Controllers:
- cadcamcadcam.com (servo motors and controller)
- 3-axis Stepper Motor System based on DQ542MA, on Ebay
- 6-axis Stepper Motor System based on DQ542MA, on Ebay
- DC1 Servo Motor Controller, from Makerbot
- Servo Motor Encoder
05/26/2012: After some discussion. This blog is starting to look into building a CNC machine of our own. Keep following to stay informed. We're in the brainstorming stage at this point any input from users is welcomed.
05/27/2012: DIYDrones CNC Project group is created. Let's move our activity to that group.
Comments
any comments on this kickstarter project? http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/421256045/diy-desktop-cnc-machine
Their website is up, http://www.mydiycnc.com/complete_kit
Oh, and just so you guys are aware, if you're just doing a few parts, you can save yourself a LOT of hassle, time, and money:
http://www.emachineshop.com/
And actually, even if something goes to production, these guys in volume might still work out really well.
Learning to machine is about as hard as learning to program, except when things go wrong, you don't get compiler errors, you get broken parts, broken tools, and the machine can hurt, maim or even kill you. For Realz. Although I guess a good CNC machine should obviously cut down on the bodily harm since hopefully you're not too close.
/PSA
What's the "total" price John to get us going with something like the 6040 and geckodrive motors?
Talk about coincidence. I just came down from the "machine room" having cut a new equipment mount for a hexacopter, and there is a blog about cnc.
Ellison, I have a Chinese CNC6040. The frame, stepper motors, and spindle are plenty good (at least on my kit), but the control electronics are not, so upgrades are necessary. I upgraded to a Geckodrive G540 motor controller, and it was like I had a completely new machine.
With the water cooled spindle, wood, plastic and CF is child's play. Alu. and even harder metals is fully possible if you take your time.
But be prepared for some intensive software and information research sessions followed by much trial and error. CNC'ing sometimes feels like programming with power tools. :)
Monroe, wish I could get one of those plotters shipped to me. The shipping might cost as much as the desktop 3020 machine.
Here is is engraving a pretty thick aluminium plate. Not quite billet. But like Monroe said above, milling at a slow speed might work.
@Wilfred, so it can cut sheet or tubular aluminum, how about Billet?
I was also quite interested in that one Wilfrid, I did a lot of reading and found out that the base had too much flex to be precise and that the rotor is not good enough for long run...
I do want to buy something for the store, imagine what I can do and sell if I could cut my own fiber/carbon boards.... Alu is also a must.
Monroe, help us out to select the perfect one, entry level in terms of budget but best in class (knowing it's a bit slow but still capable!)
Looking at "just" cutting vector files in 2D (for now) but also basic things that these 3 axis can provide.
Basically an all in one machine for basement with limited space. (enclosure MUST be build around these, they become less noisy and self contained debris are better with wife!)
I recently got a Probotix Fireball V90. It'll do the carbon fiber / delrin easily enough.
Aluminum I hear might be possible at slow rates, but not recommended. Its not a bad price.
I recently purchased myself a zenbot CNC, great service and great prices
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