making a cnc machine

I have always found it interesting to watch how machines can make stuff, so I am building my own cnc machine.

I have checked around the internet and got Ideas, most of the materials that I have rounded up have been out of a dumpster.

I work as an Electrician, I was on a job site and there in the dumpster was the makings of my cnc machine, a white half inch thick plastic that was being thrown out by a company that had downsized
and that had destroyed containers and backboards from controllers and electrical boards.

so I am in the process of cutting out the peice at a neighbors house, he has all the tools.

well I have 3 peices of the y, z axis head cout out and have two more to do to finish the cutting head. I have had to work the last few days so I haven't gotten any further on it.

Well I have the base done, now all I have left to do is get the money up to buy the motors and controller.

Well I ordered the electronics and motors the other day, hope to have them mid week next week.

OK I got the motors and got it all set up

I got it running but having major problems getting it to calibrate. and to run smoothly

so I have tried differant computers and setup but nothing seems to work.

final computer setup:Windows XP, intel Pentium 3.4 ghz single core on a ECS p4m800pro v.2 775 socket motherboard, 2 gigs ram, 300 gb hard drive and I did have a rage 128 32mb ram pci video card in it too but I took it out I think it was causing part of the problems.

I have been taking things apart to test them and find problems, so all I have to do is get it all back together, also I am changing out the 1/4" allthread leadscrew for 1/2" to speed it up and to lower the step the motors have to make to travel.

once I get it all back togather I will update the pictures. and hopefully get some videos of its first cuts, on here
I used the pocket wisard in mack to make these parts.

I had to use water in a spray bottle to keep the 1/8" rotozip bit cool to keep it from just melting the plastic .

this is the new 1/2" bearing

fits pretty good . about 1000th of an inch ob longed

 

 

now I have the new pockets made for the y axis I can change it over.
these cuts where the first real working cuts.

If anyone has some G-code for 2d or 3d cuts, and you would like to share I would
be greatful it would help me to get to know this machines ability better.


check back as I will update this as I go along,

Please leave comments here.

look forward to seeing comments from you .