RedBlueCNC

another minor delayed update

2011-12-03T11:21:00.000-08:00

Been busy working, but am about to move into an indoor shared workshop space. I usually work in the backyard, having an indoor space will help me be more motivated in starting the new CNC project as I don't have to set up and put away my tools every time I work. Probably won't get the chance to start until the new year, but soon!

new CNC in the works

2011-09-13T21:59:00.000-07:00

Just a minor update, but am about to start on a new CNC project. As of now the new design and everything else is uncertain yet, but will be using most of the internal parts off the RedBlueCNC project. Which also means unfortunately I had to take apart that CNC, so as of now the RedBlueCNC is no longer. I will post updates as I progress. It will most likely be portable and (to a degree) modular like the RedBlueCNC, so in a sense this will be the spiritual successor of the RedBlueCNC. Stay tuned.

window CNC

2011-09-13T21:49:00.000-07:00

A neat little compact window drawing CNC machine!
http://tinkerlog.com/2011/09/02/der-kritzler/

Core77 Awards: Notable Mention

2011-07-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

They announced the winners for the Core77 Design Awards. RedBlueCNC got notable mention! Congrats to the winners! Click picture below to watch the video presentation.

side project: xbox 360 wireless acrade stick

2011-07-18T19:06:00.000-07:00

It's not CNC-related but may interest some as it is DIY-related. Here's a project I've been working on, I used a hacked wireless 360 controller and made an arcade stick, Most arcade sticks on the market (mass manufactured and home made) all look similar, more often looking like a box with buttons. I decided to make it more elegant that someone with a nice interior living room, a stick that would compliment their furnishings rather than having it look like a video game controller.

I won't get too much into details about the technicals: it's wireless, rechargeable (USB port for recharging), authentic Japanese arcade hardware (Sanwa), with a bentwood walnut top. This one is prototype #3 and most likely a final model #4 to follow after personal feedback/testing.

It is a 100% working functional model, not just a mockup prototype.

Core77 Design Awards: finalist

2011-06-23T18:06:00.000-07:00

The RedBlueCNC has been selected as a finalist for the Core77 Design Awards. Winners will be announced mid-July, best of luck for all finalists.

Also summer weather is here and have been doing more projects, which means I need to get a CNC running soon unless I want to outsource my projects. Soon I will plan my new CNC machine, not as modular as the RedBlueCNC, but designed specifically to meant my personal needs (vs mass market needs). So stay tuned.

CNC art machine

2011-06-05T12:40:00.000-07:00

Pretty neat use of a CNC for art
http://pelang.ch/installations/positioning_systems/positioning_systems.html

positioning systems I - falling objects from pe lang on Vimeo.

update

2011-02-22T13:37:00.000-08:00

Just thought I'd update since I've been out of commission for awhile. Post-grad stuff to deal with (finding a job, life, etc). But I'm still planning on something with CNC experimentation. I recently got an xBox Kinect, lots of hopeful hacks to do with that, maybe something to combine with a CNC.

Dyson Awards

2010-08-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

The Red Blue CNC project is currently in the running for the 2010 James Dyson Awards. From over 500 entries internationally, this project is currently in the top 20 shortlist! Next step (top 15) will be announced September 14th, then the winners to be announced October 5th. Good luck to all finalists!

http://www.jamesdysonaward.org/

video: assembly and conversion

2010-06-29T21:06:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rkPU32INyU

Assembly video: from parts, to standard 3 axis router configuration, to wheeled-cart

video: Tetris theme song

2010-06-28T23:59:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS8s5p6BMa8

At last, I'm finally able to record video. I will be uploading other ones, for the meantime enjoy the CNC playing the Tetris theme song using its stepper motors.

videos... almost

2010-06-05T13:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay. My batteries died in my video camera, new batteries took awhile to ship but are in. Will be making videos this week finally!

As seen on...

2010-06-05T13:21:00.000-07:00

As seen on Make blog

exhibition pictures

2010-05-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

Pictures from the Emily Carr University of Art & Design: Design Grad Show 2010. I fabricated the table/plinth specifically for the CNC machine and this exhibit. I used renderings (posted in recent previous posts) for the infographics that is shown on the plinth.

physical build-up pictures

2010-05-12T10:22:00.000-07:00

Internal view of mechanics

Most of the major components (unpainted)

rough mock-up (missing swivel adapter)

mock-up of cart form

Grad Show 2010 @ Emily Carr Univeristy of Art & Design

2010-05-11T10:57:00.000-07:00

Been busy with graduation stuff and family visit the past couple weeks, but finally have time to catch up. Will post up pictures soon, in the meantime here's an (HDR) picture I took of the Grad Show exhibition of the machine

Rendering

2010-04-25T23:29:00.000-07:00

Vertical wall plotter configuration allows for custom designs to be plotted directly on walls, a new exciting alternative to wallpaper

wheeled-cart form and it's boxes and components all laid out

As seen on:

2010-04-25T23:24:00.000-07:00

As seen on notcot.org

RedBlueCNC renderings

2010-04-25T11:31:00.000-07:00

The physical model is painted and assembled. The 269oz stepper motor isn't strong enough to pull the Z axis accurately so that will have to be upgraded soon. There's minor backlash while the Y axis is fully extended, so will figure out a way around that. A pulley system to keep it in-tension all the time should do the job, hopefully. I haven't had the time to take pictures of the completed physical model yet as I'm one of the main people preparing for the exhibition show.

If you happen to be in Vancouver, the show is open to the public for free. Opening is on May 1st and remains open for 2 weeks. More information here:
http://www.ecuad.ca/about/events/42575

In the meantime here are some renderings done for my exhibition infographics.

Surface engraver

The future laser-thingy tool-head upgrade

RedBlueCNC: model progress

2010-04-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

The actual model building is going well. The majority of the welds and drilling has been made, the X axis is operational and needing minor welds to make the Y and Z axis automated as well. Hopefully by the end of this week everything will be ready for paint. Final renderings hopefully will be started, as well as the exhibition display table I'll be custom building specifically for the CNC.

In spite of the time crunch, I have decided to make the rotational adapter to make the cart concept fully functional. The rotational adapter will add some needed height as well to allow more clearance of the Z axis from the surface (estimating 8"-10" total clearance from surface to the bottom of the Z axis). Added height can be easily accomplished by various measures as well.

I'm using 1/4" aluminum for the majority of the build. It is a little heavier than expected but still not as heavy as most production CNCs out there. Estimated overall weight about 60lbs. Overall dimensions about 24" wide x 36" depth (side arm supports) x 24" height.

RedBlueCNC: renderings

2010-04-05T22:03:00.000-07:00

Some renderings done for a mid-semester presentation. Top picture shows typical use as a CNC router.

Typical setup next to its cart form.

Pictures show attaching a waste board bed where stock materials can be mounted on. In this configuration the CNC can be used as both desktop CNC and floor CNC without having to rearrange the boxes.

Picture shows the sequence to transform from cart to CNC.

toolheads: plastic extrusion = 3D pinter

2010-04-05T21:54:00.000-07:00

Early this year I bought myself a plastic extrusion head (plastruder) from Makerbot. It is fully assembled and ready to go but unfortunately I don't have time to mess around with it until the semester ends. Having the hardware talk to my current software is the tricky part, it is usually plugged directly to its own open-source CNC control board with its own open-source software. But since I already have a CNC control board, their software does not work with my control board nor my software does not talk directly to their hardware. There are a few work-around I've been reading online, the main one by using a Linux-ran software. This territory is fairly unexplored in the hobby scene so not too many information is available yet. As I don't have time messing with software, this tool head project will have to wait.

RedBlueCNC: more concepts

2010-04-05T21:44:00.000-07:00

Here is my ideal concept for the wiring. A simple flush mounted plug similar to a USB located on 2 sides on each box. There are 2 locations specifically because if the user prefer to mount the box on the side where the wire would come out from, then it would cover the plug.

But in the prototype world (real world), I don't have time in making a new plug so will be using a DB9 serial port plug similar to many hobby CNC setups.

One day I came across another idea of making it more portable. If the boxes all pivot onto itself, it can be neatly stacked vertically in an organized manner. Relocate the side support arms and attach a handle and wheels, now you have a cart in which you can easily carry your CNC anywhere!

The rendering also shows all the main components of the CNC package. In which case the user, if preferred, can easily arrange the boxes or build a custom frame to specifically suit their purpose.

This rendering shows an upgraded concept of my wall-CNC setup. The side support arms are flipped to allow closer access to the wall.

random renderings

2010-04-05T21:28:00.000-07:00

Just some renderings I've done for fun. This one is if all the pieces are clear acrylic.

Renderings of the main bearings and slides (Thompson). A total of 4 of these are being used, 2 each per X and Y axis

Rendering of the Z axis slides/bearings being used. I think their NHK bearings. Though these are a lot smaller, they weight almost twice as much as the Thompson since they're entirely made of steel. The Thompsons are mainly aluminum with a small track of steel where the bearings ride on (pretty nice design).

RedBlueCNC: specs and dimension

2010-04-05T21:12:00.000-07:00

Since Concept 3's internal design for the Y and Z axis was working fine, I decided to continue the internal design for the RedBlueCNC (concept 4).

There are 3 main pieces for the box:
1) the top (where most parts attaches to)
2) the bottom (access cover for the mechanics)
3) the tray (not pictured)

Here is the finalized design, about 8" x 6" x 22". The Z axis will be 18" long as the slides I bought are shorter length. Each box can technically be as long as the user desires to be easily upgraded. The top part is proposed to be aluminum extruded. The bottom part will not be financially feasible to be fabricated out of extruded aluminum so am proposing it to be hand welded since it "would" be a limited scale production. Ideally a strong plastic extrusion version could be made for entry level CNC or for those not needing stiffness (3d printing, etc).

Cutting area is about 12" x 12" x 8" depth. I purposely chose this size as (a) most designers and model makers would be able to do most at this size, (b) keep the size down as most people don't have room for larger tools, and (c) keep costs down for my prototype as I am a student still. But as mentioned it can technically be lengthened to larger size easily.

Enter the RedBlueCNC

2010-04-05T17:06:00.000-07:00

I really liked the new path I was going with but felt that something was still missing. I knew Rietveld has done many important pieces of furniture, one of his most famous being the Red Blue Chair. This is a very important piece is the history of design. I decided why not combine both of his pieces together (the L40 light and the Red Blue Chair) as a nod to the history, and incorporate them into my CNC...

The RedBlueCNC
As tools are usually kept in the garage, they all usually have the same cold aesthetics. Not everyone has room to keep larger tools like CNCs in a permanent location. One of my main original problems I wanted to address with this project is to upgrade the aesthetics of a CNC machines so users would feel comfortable in leaving it exposed in their living room instead of keeping it in storage when not in use. What if the tool can look as good in the center of your living room like a piece of art?

Prototype #4: Development & Inspiration

2010-04-05T16:50:00.000-07:00

As I developed the universal box design, trying to make a sleek frame to encase/complete the machine has been a hard task. No matter what the boxes can't be any smaller so the frame had to be bulky. That's when I decided to look for inspiration to some of my favorite design movements. I took a trip to Dessau, Germany last summer and visited the Bauhaus building so the Bauhaus movement was still fresh in my minds. Bauhaus has been one of the major influences in modern design, many important furniture has came from it. Chances are if you've been to any museums, galleries, or art school you've most likely have seen on of the Bauhaus furniture.

Always enjoying the Bauhaus minimal approach in design, I looked towards it for inspiration. This is when I rediscovered Gerrit Rietveld's L40 light fixture. But Rietveld was not technically part of the Bauhaus movement but part of the De Stijl movement, which was influential to the Bauhaus manifesto.

This was an important turning point in my project development. I was making the project more complex than it needed to be. Instead of trying to hide the axis, I should embrace it and show it for what it is. Rietveld's L40 light is exactly that, 3 lights in 3 axis. Minimal, simple.

This was my newest direction, keep it simple and show it for what it is: 3 boxes in 3 axis. This is an early rendering development of the new direction. Side legs were needed as I found out from the wooden Prototype #3 model was front heavy, so side supports were needed to keep the machine from tipping over when the Y axis was in full reach.

Prototype #4 (RedBlueCNC): The beginning of the RedBlueCNC

2010-04-05T16:29:00.000-07:00

As I entered the second semester of my year long grad project, I looked back where I left off from Prototype #3. There were some issues I know I had to deal with:

1) I was not totally satisfied with the aesthetics. Because I decided to encase each mechanical axis into its individual box, the boxes ended up being large in which the outside frames had to be bulky as well. I couldn't minimize the frame size into a sleek compact form.

2) There were too many boxes. I had to simplify the box designs to simplify (in a "what if" scenario) and reduce the costs of production. Which means I should use only a single box design for all axis. Also mounting holes had to be universal, so any box would be able to fit any other box in any direction.

Here is my 1st concept rendering of the universal box for all 3 axis. Mounting holes every 3.5" Size was made based on my bearing sizes in which I wanted 3 mounting holes across for each sliding tray. I eliminated the bottom lip of the box too allow it to be mounted on its side if wanted. Instead the end-users can easily make their own angle brackets.

Prototype #3: Alternative Model Renderings

2010-04-05T11:35:00.000-07:00

As the boxes are removable, people would be able to rearrange them to suit their specific needs. Here are some rendering concepts in which I came up with for Prototype 3.

Floor CNC concept. My wooden proof-of-concept prototype is setup in this configuration. The idea here is the machine is setup specifically to do floor engraving. You can take the machine to over sized materials that would be otherwise impossible to CNC; like hardwood floors (as pictured), table tops (to do inlays), concrete sidewalks, etc.. Replace the router tool-head with a laser or ?? to further do explorations.

Wall CNC concept. This will allow the machine to create custom patterns directly on the wall eliminating the use of wallpaper.

My "Thank You" rendering. This is where I left of my first semester of a year long project. The second half is the exciting part in which where I believe I really was able to push CNCs in modularity, and aesthetics.

Prototype #3: final renderings

2010-04-05T11:21:00.000-07:00

Here are some renderings I used during my end of semester presentations. Top picture is the cutaway view to show the internal setup of the X axis.

All the boxes rendered: 1 box per axis. Each box can be lengthened to upgrade your CNC without having to buy an entirely new machine.

The proposed deluxe starter kit will have 3 boxes and a basic CNC body kit in which the user can assemble in a few hours. Not people are capable in making a CNC machine in a short period of time.

Assembly is simple:
1) bolt the parts onto the X tray box, slide the box into the CNC frame

2) Bolt the Y axis into the frame
3) Attach the Z axis onto the Y axis
4) attach your desired tool-head, in this case a hand router

You now have a desktop CNC machine!

Prototype #3: final prototype

2010-04-05T11:08:00.000-07:00

This is insides of the Y axis prototype, Z axis is similar as well. The build is rough as it is only used as a proof of concept. The final material will be out of aluminum. As you can see the mechanics is simple: motor turns screw, screw turns nut, nut moves tray.

Here are pictures of the final proof-of-concept prototype model of Concept 3. This is where I ended my first semester of my school project. It is a fully functional 3 axis CNC machine. It's setup at about 120 inch per minute, and an accuracy of about 0.015" I used a floor engraver setup configuration as supposed to a typical desktop CNC configuration. In this setup I am capable of doing CNC work on the surface below which I demonstrated during my end of semester presentation. Built time: 1.5 weeks

Inspiration: CNC related links

2010-04-05T00:49:00.000-07:00

Some links I have bookmarked that may help some people:
http://makerbot.com/ DIY 3d printer
http://reprap.org/ DIY 3d printer (makerbot is based off of)
http://www.iaacblog.com Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia blog, lots of CNC projects
http://replicatorinc.com/blog/ 3d printer blog
http://blubee.com/theblog/?cat=50 Art-based robot blog
http://www.nilsvoelker.com/content/_pages/robotic.html tech-based artist's page
http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2009/04/27/peter-sands-plant-fasting/ plant farming CNC
http://www.contraptor.org/ open source hardware (parts to prototype CNCs, etc)
http://www.makerbeam.com/pledge.html same as above
http://candyfab.org/ sugar-based 3d printer
http://blog.makezine.com/ Make magazine's tech-based blog

Inspiration: CNC art

2010-04-05T00:39:00.000-07:00

And here are some experimental CNC created art. I had these saved for awhile so can't remember any of the artists names nor links, sorry.

Inspiration: Other CNCs

2010-04-05T00:31:00.000-07:00

Before I continue I should mention some of CNC related technology I use for inspiration. 1

1) table top engraver by an ID student project
2) wheeled CNC plasma cutter? concept
3) hexapod spider CNC
4) robot brick layer
5) parallel robot CNC

Prototype #3: The Beginnings of Concept B

2010-04-05T00:06:00.000-07:00

From the end result of the full scale materials testing, I decide to go back and rethink some parameters. Concept A's main idea is to have the X axis to be relocated from top of the machine to the front of the sliding tray. This will enable the user to use it as either a standard CNC or as a floor mounted engraver to do CNC work below the surface, much like Prototype 2. After contemplating this, I believed I was still limiting the users by setting specific arrangements. What if the user wants to rearrange it in some odd way, they would have to do permanent modifications for that to happen. Though Concept A is still a big step from production CNC machines, it is still limiting on what arrangements it can perform.

This is when I had a breakthrough. Why not put all the axis into its own separate boxes instead of relying on a permanent frame/body to enclose all the axis! Essentially each axis will be 1 box. 3 boxes will give you a 3 axis CNC. If the user wants to have some odd setup, they would just need to make a new frame. More people are capable of making a frame than making new CNC machines, right? Essentially a shop can have 3 CNC machines for the price of 1; all they need to do is transfer the boxes into the desired frame.

The pictures represent the X axis. The idea is a simple frame can be built around it to complete your desired version of a CNC machine. People will no longer need to know how CNC works; eliminate the complex robotic mechanics that scares people away with simplified boxes with trays that move back and forth. This in essence will promote development of new machines by allowing people to concentrate on new technology (3d print head, etc).

Prototype #3: Concept A

2010-04-04T10:58:00.000-07:00

The original idea I had was to make a sleek looking CNC, something modern that doesn't make it look like an industrial-look cold aesthetics as most CNC have. Here are some of my early renderings and concept development.

To do a full scale testing, I made a mold and made the X axis tray in full scale out of kevlar/carbon fiber material. The end result was mixed, it was light weight and rigid, but have designed the molds and parts inefficient for the composite techniques I was using.

This was a good thing as it made me rethink the entire project. As this was my class project we have to consider the audience, who is this marketed for. It got me thinking that only a small percentage would actually need/want a super light weight CNC and would be willing to pay the premium for it. It made me rethink why was I using space-age composite materials. This would be the first eureka moment in my project...

Prototype #3: Materials Exploration

2010-04-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

My original concept for prototype #3 was to make it as stiff and light as possible. So I experimented with carbon fiber and kevlar combination as the main material. Kevlar has great vibration dampening characteristics and is more inexpensive compared to carbon fiber.

I did multiple experiments to see how many layers of kevlar I need and ways to make it stiffer without adding added weight. By adding ribs or using sandwiching techniques, I was able to make it rigid and light.

Prototype #3: Introduction

2010-04-04T10:06:00.000-07:00

By this time, I am starting my final year in my Industrial Design degree. Since I always wanted to update my CNC with better improvements I decided to use it as my grad/thesis project. My original intent for the project was a portable CNC that is multi-functional/transformable to allow CNC technology to progress (as I believed CNC technology has had very little progress in the past decade).

I ordered faster lead screws, this time using Acme 1/2" 8 start threads. This will be 8x faster than my old setup, going from 16 inch per minute to 120 inch per minute. I ordered the Acme coupling to attach the motor to the screw instead of using a hose as per my earlier machines; less fuss and maintenance. Also got an end clamp for the other end of the Acme screw instead of having it free spinning; this reduces potential backlash and makes the screw more aligned all the time.

Bearings and slides are now all fully supported. X and Y axis are using 24" Thompson bearings/slides while the Z axis is by another brand (bought separately). Motors and control boards are the same Xylotex setup from my old setup.

Prototype #2: as seen on...

2010-04-04T09:37:00.000-07:00

Prototype #2: objects made

2010-04-03T00:40:00.000-07:00

As practice on getting myself familiar with my new tool, I made a small handful of clocks using salvaged wood. The time lapse videos shows one of the earlier trials.

Above is an MDF mold in which was used in creating the fiberglass skins for the upper and lower skins of the lamp.

Ironically, after making this CNC I discovered that it is often easier to make certain things by other methods rather than relying on a CNC all the time. I have many other examples that this CNC has produced in some of my projects but these 2 examples gives you the idea of what it's capable of and it's accuracy.

Prototype #2: videos in action

2010-04-03T00:23:00.000-07:00

Mechanics in action: Motor spins --> screw turns --> nut moves --> tray moves

Time-lapse video of one of my clocks being made.

Prototype #2: Improvements and Specs

2010-04-03T00:12:00.000-07:00

Prototype #2 has many improvements over typical CNC setups. First being collapsible. Now people (like me) who can't afford a permanent space to be used for a CNC can store the machine in a closet when not in use. It is easier to carry it from point A to point B as well, carrying lighter parts than heavier wholes. Though being collapsible creates issues as well. It can take longer for setup and has to be aligned every time to make sure the dual X axis tracks are parallel.

A second improvement is having an open table, though some CNC machines have this as well so it's not as a break-through. This does allows for oversized materials to be placed through the CNC, like a tree log or long lumber.

A third improvement in prototype #3 is it allows materials/stock to be worked on from above the surface, like any other CNC machines) but also below the surface. I can do engraving work up to 6" below the surface if I wanted to. This means I can prop my machine on top of an oversized picnic table and engrave on the table top. I can technically mount the machine to a living tree and do some work on it if I wanted to.

As a typical setup, I clamp an MDF wasteboard onto the CNC then mount the stock to be cut on the wasteboard (as pictured). Cutting area is about 17" x 17" x 8" depth. Depth can be easily adjusted by bolting the router adapter plate up or down, or by making a new adapter plate.

Prototype #2: pictures

2010-04-02T23:57:00.000-07:00

Prototype #2: Final Model

2010-04-02T23:49:00.000-07:00

This is the end result for build #2. Because of my limited amount of space, I designed it to be collapsible for ease of storage and transportation. But because of this setup it requires a 4 controllers and a 4 axis controller setup; 2 motors to power each end of the X axis. The bottom part of the legs can be removed by removing the two bolts on both ends. Overall it is about 3 feet cubic area by size.

It is not truly portable as I envisioned, more collapsible. It is slower than I hoped but precise (roughly 0.001" accurate). I had some alignment problems originally, was making skewed ovals instead of circles, but I was able to correct the problem. As my first CNC I completely built and designed, I was happy especially as I never had a game plan to go by. And because only 3 months prior I thought it was impossible to build your own CNC.

Prototype #2 took about 1.5 months to build and complete and about $1200 total in parts and materials (most of which salvaged from build #1). I fried a control board by accidentally crossing wires, so had to buy a new $200 board to replace it.

Learning the CAM (computer aided machining) programming can be the hard part especially if you are on your own. CAM can easily cost as much or more than the CNC as they are not cheap, but cheap and free/open-source ones can be found, though they may not do as much as retail CAM programs. Luckily I already knew basic CAD programming and am experienced in the computer field (my 1st career of 7 years was in the IT support field). Go to the CNC Zone forums for more info on the open source program alternatives if you can't find any retail software to play around with. I personally use RhinoCAD to do modelling, MasterCam X4 and sometimes RhinoCAM plugin for my CAM, and Mach4 to control the CNC.

Prototype #2: Building

2010-04-02T23:26:00.000-07:00

(My main hard drive crashed in Summer 2009, so most of my process pictures are gone).

So after the incomplete 1st attempt, I decided to make my own CNC design with improvements I find fit. Because I am working in my backyard with minimal tools and no welder, I decided to choose wood as the main material again. Wood is a common material for DIY CNCs, it can create highly accurate CNCs when properly built. I do not have any plans for prototype #2, sorry. I designed and fabricated it as I went along.

For prototype #2, I decided to use Baltic Birch instead of MDF as per prototype #1 plans. I did not like MDF as it does not handle screws that well. I discarded the homebuilt bearings and slides (using skateboard bearings and aluminum angle bars) as it was not up to par for my expectations. I went on eBay and found used high precision bearings and slides. The 1st picture shows the back of the Z axis using fully supported slides and Thompson bearings, really nice stuff!

The X and Y axis (shown in picture #2) I used precision slides and bearings (forgot which brand) but not fully supported. They work great but found that aligning them during assembly is much harder than fully supported bearings.

I used the Acme 1/2" 20tpi lead screw from prototype #1, as the anti-backlash lead nut. TPI is teeth per inch, so 20tpi means it has to spin 20x to move 1 inch. The result of this combo is dirt slow!! It crawls about 1" per second movement. I recommend anyone in using a multi-start Acme screw (as I have done on my newest CNC) as it will speed up movement tremendously. More TPI means more precision, but who really needs to be accurate 0.0001" increments? Your backlash tolerance will be more than that so in reality your precision is only as good as your backlash movement.

Parts & Resource List

2010-04-02T22:10:00.000-07:00

Some parts I use on my CNC projects:

Xylotex: Electronics & Motors
-4 axis control board
-4x 269oz bipolar stepper motors

DumpsterCNC: Anti-Backlash parts

CNC Zone: forum for tech help

McMaster-Carr: misc parts (Acme screws, etc)

ebay for used bearings and slides

prototype #1

2010-04-02T22:01:00.000-07:00

Summer of 2008: I'm originally from Baltimore, Maryland but moved to Vancouver, BC Canada for school. At the time I've been in Vancouver for about 2 years and decided to stay the entire summer here for the first time. Just finishing my 2nd year in Industrial Design at Emily Carr University of Art & Design, I wanted to start an awesome project for the summer. Recently discover and amazed that people make their own CNC machines, I researched more into it. I never thought it was possible for anybody to make their own home-built CNC machine, seemed like a perfect project for me. I found and bought plans, read the plans for 5 days trying to figure out everything, then bought parts. I followed the plans, completed it about 80% of the way and stepped back and realized flaws home-built plans have.

Here is the result of the 1st CNC attempt. I could have finished it and made it fully functional but it just wasn't to my expectations. So 80% finished I decided to stop following the plans and scrap the attempt. It wasn't a total waste of time, I learned the ever-so-valuable information on how CNC works! This project (if I remember correctly) was about $800 which includes the electronics and motors ($500 for those alone). Most costs and parts were usable for version 2, so only about $200 was "wasted" from this version.

Things I learned from it:
1)spend a couple extra hundred and buy precision bearings like those in used in production CNC machines. Home-made bearings may be a lot cheaper but getting them to have high tolerances and highly accurate is hard to do.
2)it's common for people to follow downloaded CNC plans then make their own version soon afterward on improvements they feel fit. You learn invaluable information by doing, even if and especially if its a failure

Red Blue CNC Background Info

2010-03-22T23:53:00.000-07:00

What got me here... For my grad project for my industrial design degree I wanted to do something big. As I already made a CNC machine before (more info later), there were some issues I've had with it and been meaning to do an upgraded version of it. Since I was about to spend some money and time on it, why not spend more money and time on it by making it my year-long grad project! Ideas and directions has changed from my early conception of what I envisioned v2 would be.

The original vision for v2 CNC was:
-to make a portable, potentially backpack sized machine made specifically for designers and artists who wants to experiment
-roughly 12"-16" cubic working area, which will do most model making people would do
-will push CNC technology forward, as I believe there has not been any vast improvements in this field in the past decade (always the same configurations, etc)
-be capable of machining materials on the surface AND below the surface as well

Before I continue with my CNC v2, let's go back 2.5 years ago to my CNC v1...

Welcome / Intro

2010-03-22T21:08:00.000-07:00

Hello world. My name's Nicanor Santillan and this blog will be about my CNC project and other CNC-related projects. Currently I am a 4th year industrial design student at Emily Carr University of Art & Design in Vancouver, BC Canada and raised in Baltimore, Maryland USA.

For my other projects, my personal portfolio can be found here:
http://www.NickSantillan.com
http://www.ecuad.ca/people/profile/26206

My grad thesis project is what I call the Red Blue CNC. More info to come...