DIY CNC Testing

Posted by Prof. Boris van Galvin on 21 August 2009 | 5 Comments

Tags: CNC, Routing, Milling

After almost finishing the milling/routing machine i decided to throw some work at it and see what it would handle.

One of the projects and tools i would like to add is a point digitising tool where you can place an opject on the table and have the XYZ axis traace the opject in 3D. I have some cylindrical nylon rod that will make a great base however as i have found with milling lexan is that if you dont clamyour work well enough its likley to be thrown across the room and and up with the router taking a random chunk out of it.

So to make life easier I am creating a base that the nylon plug will slot into and be held while the router is working on it. the base is made form 25mm thick MDF and was milled with the one tool and one nc file. all that was required was to slit the paper thin meterial left on the base and cut off the side peices i left so as to make sure the part did not slip while being routed.

Photos are below.
I would like to add that the tool tok 2mm passes until it reached the desired depth, this was done to ensure that not too much load was put on the motors and ensured that the steppers did not slip a steep or two also after cutting a few other tings from MDF i found that as i was using a rather course router bit the tool would heat up and burn of i went too deep in one pass.