how to build your own cnc machine part 2

Building Your Own CNC Machine Part 2

Welcome back to our guide on how to build your own CNC machine! If you missed part 1, you can catch up here.

In this installment, we will be discussing the materials and tools you will need for the build, as well as the assembly process up until the electronics are installed. Let's get started!

Materials Needed

- Aluminum extrusions (at least 2040 size)

- Steel rods (8-12mm diameter)

- Linear bearings (make sure they fit the steel rods)

- NEMA 23 stepper motors

- DRV8825 stepper motor drivers

- Arduino Uno

- CNC shield v3.0

- Power supply (24-36v)

- Timing belt and pulleys

- Endstops (optional)

- Spindle (optional)

- 3D printed parts (check part 1 for the STL files)

You can easily find these materials online or at your local hardware store. Make sure to double check the sizes and compatibility before purchasing.

Tools Needed

- Drill

- Saw (hand or electric)

- Screwdrivers

- Allen keys

- Wrenches

- Soldering iron

- Multimeter

- Heat shrink tubing

- Wire stripper

Assembly Process

1. Cut the aluminum extrusions to the appropriate lengths for your build. You will need four pieces for the base and four pieces for the gantry. Cut the remaining pieces for the bed and supports as well.

2. Drill the necessary holes for each piece of extrusion. You will want to drill holes for the rods and bearings to fit in, as well as holes for the bolts and screws to attach the pieces together.

3. Assemble the base. Use corner brackets to attach the extrusions together to form a square or rectangle. Make sure everything is square and tighten the bolts.

4. Assemble the gantry. Attach the linear bearings to the steel rods with screws, making sure they are secure. Slide the rods through the holes in the gantry extrusions. Use spacers if necessary to keep the gantry level.

5. Attach the gantry to the base. Use brackets or other suitable hardware to secure the gantry to the base. Make sure it is level and parallel to the base.

6. Install the stepper motors. Mount the NEMA 23 motors to the extrusions using brackets and screws. Make sure they are aligned with the rods and pulleys.

7. Install the pulleys. Mount the pulleys to the motors and the rods. Use set screws to secure them in place.

8. Install the timing belt. Attach the timing belt to the pulleys, making sure it is tight. You can adjust the tension later if needed.

9. Install the endstops (optional). Mount the endstops to the extrusions or base. These will tell the machine where the limits are.

10. Wire up the electronics. Connect the stepper motors to the DRV8825 stepper motor drivers. Connect the drivers to the CNC shield v3.0. Connect the shield to the Arduino Uno. Use the schematic provided with the shield to make sure everything is connected correctly.

11. Install the power supply. Connect the power supply to the CNC shield. Make sure the voltage is correct and the polarity is correct.

12. Upload the firmware. Use the provided firmware or customize your own. Upload it to the Arduino Uno using the Arduino IDE.

And that's it for part 2! In part 3 we will cover the software and testing. Stay tuned!