Obviously would need supports underneath that would fold away this just gives a general idea on my thinking. I think due to our limited space we need to be smart and come up with ways to make the most out of the space we do have.
The extruded aluminium in this design (1400x1080x500) comes to £244.20. We could even use a smaller diameter and it will be cheaper.
Obviously this is only the frame, but you can pick up stepper motors etc all over the place these days. Would appreciate what everyone else thinks of the idea and a list of those that would be interested in helping if we were to go ahead with it.
I was thinking we might be able to squeeze it in where the current shelf is for the laser material so we could utilize the wood chip extraction in woodshop.
Sounds good. There are a few design options to debate about, what motors to pick, ball screws vs. belts etc.
We could go through those with other people who were interested such as @lewisss and spec a design ? He was also suggesting something vertical.
Then work out a budget from that perhaps and see where to go from there.
I suggest you check out hackspace’s gantry machine. Its pretty beefy and looks like a good balance between size and rigidity for doing both big sheets of wood and bits of alloy.
I was also having a look at clearpath servos. Would be nice if we could afford some of those. They aren’t necessarily more expensive than a big stepper + driver combo and pack way more torque.
Sounds like a good idea to me. Don’t forget the space required for a PC, tool control etc. Also, some thought will need to be put into making sure it can be levelled really easily.
I think it’s worth writing a brief and/or specification for this before you start designing.
For example, what do you want to cut? What space is available? Get input from all members if you want it funded by the space, or from those who have pledged if you want it pledge funded.
Personally I’d love to see something that could cut 8x4 sheets of ply. 4x4 I’d be less interested, but still interested. Anything else doesn’t really bother me.
As Joe said, there’s no need for it to fold. To my understanding it’s in the Messy room plan to have an enclosed CNC as part of a ‘wardrobe’ of stuff. And as Joe said, the laser cutter materials stack is currently what we have for that ‘wardrobe’.
Note this plan isn’t for a furniture size machine. But I think with an Origin Shaper as well as this, we’d have sculpting models and small pieces of metalwork covered by the ‘desktop’ CNC, and furniture covered by the Origin.
‘At this time, Origin does not have the certifications necessary to be sold outside the US. Nor is it designed for non-US electrical system. Therefore, we will not be entertaining any official international reseller deals at this time.’
Doesn’t look like we’ll be getting one anytime soon…
It’s also a good reminder of why home-made tools are usually no good as actual tools. Building a CNC machine is a fun project, but it’s probably not the best way to make things with a CNC machine.
