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Thread: Homebrew CNC Engraver

  1. #1
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    kd8wdave's Tools

    Homebrew CNC Engraver

    For my 'second' post, I guess I can show my "homebrew" CNC machine. A little unsure how to show the pics
    here, but will give it a try. The machine frame is made of 1-in black-iron pipe. Saw this style from THIS website and decided to give it a try. My machine uses the 'Arduino-UNO' module. It uses the 'grbl' software ver 9. The step/direction commands from the Arduino are passed to three controller cards that I made using PIC processors. The PIC's pass the necessary driver step sequence to some "Dual-H-Bridge" drivers that in turn, drive the stepper(bipolar) motors.
    I found quite a few interesting issues that had to be dealt with, and found it quite enjoyable to work on. Shown is an very old 'dremel tool' that I had, and used for a bit for testing and checking out milling/engraving . I have received my new 3-speed spindle , but don't have it mounted yet. Other more important things to do first, but hope to have it done in the next month or two. My X axis(left& right) is about 450 mm. The Y axis (front&rear) is about 150 mm and the Z axis is about 75-80 mm.

    Homebrew CNC Engraver-cnc-overview.jpg

    Homebrew CNC Engraver-zaxis-newcard.jpg

    I use a program called 'inkscape' to do the drawing of the work-piece. There is a plug-in on the software that converts this image to the required 'g-code' file for the machine. I have found that I do have to check the file for 'grbl' compatibility and I'm still learning how this should work for best results.

    Here are a pic of my new spindle mounted on the machine. I just finished this up today after
    getting caught up from the last weeks 'ham radio' field day operation.
    Homebrew CNC Engraver-spindle-001.jpg

    Hope this all shows up okay.
    cheers
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Homebrew CNC Engraver-spindle-003.jpg   Homebrew CNC Engraver-spindle-002.jpg  

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    Last edited by kd8wdave; Jul 7, 2015 at 07:53 PM. Reason: add new spindle pics

  2. The Following 13 Users Say Thank You to kd8wdave For This Useful Post:

    blkadder (Sep 15, 2015), DaveInPA (Jun 24, 2015), emu roo (Nov 29, 2022), high-side (Jul 4, 2020), Hotz (Jun 23, 2015), JiriLord (Jan 13, 2017), kbalch (Jun 22, 2015), Kevic (May 3, 2018), oldcaptainrusty (Dec 17, 2017), Paul Jones (Jun 21, 2015), PJs (Jul 23, 2015), proff11 (Jun 23, 2015), that_other_guy (Sep 3, 2018)

  3. #2
    Supporting Member Paul Jones's Avatar
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    Paul Jones's Tools
    kd8wdave,

    This is so cool and looking forward to seeing your next version with the 3-speed spindle. I am also interested in the various homemade tools using the 'Arduino-UNO' module and the 'grbl' software after seeing John Saunders' YouTube channel NYCCNC on his adaptations. It is on my "to do" list.

    Thank you for the posting!
    Regards, Paul

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    kbalch's Avatar
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    Thanks kd8wdave! I've added your CNC Engraver to our CNC and Electronics categories, as well as to your builder page: kd8wdave's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:


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    high-side (Jul 4, 2020)

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    Hey Dave:
    Amazing to see you on here; just so's you know, on here I am proff11, as Paul Jones was already taken. Glad to see you enjoying yourself. Don't be afraid to put up pictures of The Last Spindle; I may print them out and frame them.("See what Grandpa used to do before we all learned to speak Mandarin.")
    Last edited by proff11; Jun 23, 2015 at 11:57 AM. Reason: punctuation

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    Thanks Paul, I'll be getting to it after FD is over. I made three hold-down clamps today. Tomorrow is radio/network checkout with another ham. Have to make sure all our station gear will network together for the upcoming contest.

    cheers

  8. #6
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    Great job! A homemade tool partly inspired by homemadetools.net.

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    kbalch's Avatar
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    Hi kd8wdave,

    Very impressive! Your CNC Engraver is the 'Tool of the Week'!

    You'll be receiving one of our official HomemadeTools.net T-shirts:

    Homebrew CNC Engraver-black-shirt-front-actual-design.jpg Homebrew CNC Engraver-black-shirt-rear-actual-design.jpg
    Homebrew CNC Engraver-white-shirt-front-actual-design.jpg Homebrew CNC Engraver-white-shirt-rear-actual-design.jpg

    Just let me have (via PM) your details (size, color choice, and mailing address) and we'll get things processed directly.

    Congrats!

    Ken

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    kd8wdave (Sep 25, 2015)

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    kbalch's Avatar
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    This thread has been moved to the Must Read subforum. Congrats (and thanks) to kd8wdave for making such a valuable contribution!

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    blkadder (Sep 15, 2015)

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    Toi cung dang muon lam mot may phay CNC dieu khien bang modul arduino uno nhung khong biet phai bat dau nhu the nao? xin cho mot loi khuyen , cam on

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    Supporting Member pfredX1's Avatar
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    Sometimes I use Inkscape to make DXF files to be converted into G-Code. I have the gcodetools plugin for my copy of Inkscape, but I can't say I'm a big fan of it. So I use other applications for post processing, depending on the kind of job it is. I like that spindle. I have one of those Chinese "500 Watt" air cooled spindles and I am not entirely sold on it. It works, but the top RPM is awfully slow. As best as I can tell it is no where near 500 Watts either. More like 100 Watts according to measurements I've taken. Congratulations on winning tool of the Week. I don't think my CNC machine even got honorable mention on this site. Maybe the next one that I build will?

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    Paul Jones (Apr 13, 2018)

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