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How to Build a Hobby CNC Router Engraver

CNC machines are industrial precision tools that use 3-dimensional computer graphing to shape sometimes intricate forms out of material such as steel, aluminum billet or wood. These CNC or computer-numerical-control machines also serve productive hobby activities such as engraving. Nowadays, you can build a small-scale CNC machine that will carry out light duties with precision at a low cost. A light-duty CNC machine that produces accurate fine details in a short time is essential for bulk small-scale engraving.

Things You'll Need

Linear bearings
Spindle
Wooden frame
Metallic frame
Engraving bits
Mach2 software
Belt drives
Stepper motors
3-axis stepper motor control board
Drill
screws
Stand off threads

Instructions

- 1
  Make an XY axis by placing two 6-inch linear bearings on a work table on which you'll attach the rest of the CNC pieces. Place the Y axis bearing first, then the X axis to ride on the Y-axis so that the Y axis is able to move forth and back, while the X axis moves right and left. Choose the 6-inch bearings since they form a smaller XY table, which moves faster when smaller motors are attached, improving accuracy during engraving.
- 2
  Connect two identical stepper motors, one each on the outboard ends of the X and Y axes. The motors will drive both axes. Gear down the motor by mounting two belt drives using two pulleys, with one pulley connected to the motor shaft and the other to the load shaft.
- 3
  Position the Z axis over the XY axis using two linear bearings of a length of about 1 or 2 inches to provide firm support for the spindle. Attach the spindle, which refers to a motor used in turning the engraver, vertically on the dual Z linear bearings. Consider using a Porter-Cable laminate router for the spindle motor. Attach the engraving bits with a set of screws to the spindle.
- 4
  Attach an already fabricated metallic frame on the XY axis to act as a support frame for the Z axis. Attaching a metallic frame is preferable other than using wood, as it shrinks with age and swells from effects of weather, so it might not hold the flatness of the XY axis, which is essential for high levels of accuracy when engraving.
- 5
  Mount up the power supply of maximum of 2 amperes on a 3-axis stepper motor control board. Drill small holes on the board using a drill. Insert stand-off threads into the small holes and attach the board on the motor by screwing the standoff threads to the motor.
- 6
  Install Mach2 CNC control software since it is inexpensive and quite suited to hobbyist CNC machines. Installing Mach2 helps in translating the G-code action control commands to motor control signals, synchronizing the movement of the motors. Hold the machine on the table by attaching a T-slot clamp plate to the table.

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