CNC machines can be built out of a variety of materials. If you’re going to build a CNC machine, it’s up to you to choose the best material to do it with. One of the main things that will determine the best type of material to build your CNC machine with is what you’re going […]
Archive for the ‘Building a CNC machine’ Category
Selecting the material for your CNC machine
October 13th, 2011 
admin Spindle vs. Router
October 5th, 2011 admin Hobby CNC machines typically use either a spindle or a router. While these two devices appear similar, they each have distinctly different characteristics.
Posted in Building a CNC machine, Buying a CNC machine 
Tags: Aluminum, Chinese, CNC, CNC Machine, Cost, Hobby, Noise, Router, RPM, Runout, Spindle, VFD, Wood 
Comments Off on Spindle vs. RouterBest hobby CNC control software
July 27th, 2011 admin You can have a CNC controller be as simple as a parallel port from your computer, or as complicated as a dedicated synchronized multi-axis board. But no matter what you choose, you’ll need some sort of software to control it. This article will show you the more popular options to actually control your CNC machine […]
Posted in Building a CNC machine Tags: CNC, CNC Controller, EMC, KCam, Linux, Mach3, Parallel Port, Software, Windows Comments Off on Best hobby CNC control softwareCheap CNC Motion Control
June 17th, 2011 admin After you have your motors and motor drivers ready to go, you’ll need to have a way to actually control the motion of your motors. CNC motion controller may seem like a simple problem, but the fact that your motors will need to run in a highly coordinated fashion along with the fact that that […]
Posted in Building a CNC machine Tags: Cheap, Cheap Motion Control, CNC, CNC Controller, CNC Motion, Control, Controller, EMC, Free, Khz, Mach3, Motion Control, Performance, Printer Port Comments Off on Cheap CNC Motion ControlChoosing the Right Stepper Motor Driver
May 25th, 2011 admin Choosing the right driver for you stepper motor is important because it will allow you to get the maximum amount of performance out of your motor. There a few types of drivers available, each with their own characteristics.
Choosing the Right Stepper Motor
May 15th, 2011 admin Choosing an appropriate stepper motor for your CNC project is important. If you choose a motor that is too small, you may experience very slow maximum speeds and torques, and even missed pulses. On the other hand, if you choose a motor which is too big, it may require a powerful and expensive power supply […]
Posted in Building a CNC machine Tags: Choose, Chosing, CNC, Hobby, Holding Torque, Machine, Motor, Stepper, Stepper Motor, Torque, Where to Buy Comments Off on Choosing the Right Stepper MotorBipolar vs. Unipolar stepper motors
May 7th, 2011 admin There is a lot of discussion on whether to use bipolar or unipolar stepper motors for your CNC project. Each type of motor has different characteristics, but when all is said and done, the best choice is usually bipolar stepper motors. This article is a short explanation why bipolar stepper motors are usually the better […]
Posted in Building a CNC machine Tags: CNC, Coil, Complexity, Control, Hobby, Milling, Power, Speed, Stepper, Stepper Motor, Torque Comments Off on Bipolar vs. Unipolar stepper motorsChoosing a Stepper Motor for your CNC Machine
May 7th, 2011 admin Choosing an appropriate stepper motor can be difficult and time consuming. This webpage is intended to help you easily and quickly select a good stepper motor for your project. There is a lot to cover, so consider this the first part in the series
Posted in Building a CNC machine Tags: Accuracy, Closed loop, CNC, Cost, Hobby, Milling, Motor, Open loop, PWM, Routing, Speed, Stepper, Stepper Motor Comments Off on Choosing a Stepper Motor for your CNC MachineHow to Couple Threaded Rod to Stepper Motor
May 3rd, 2011 admin After selecting the threaded rod or ACME screw you intend to use for linear motion, you need a way to effectively connect this rod to a stepper motor such that there is zero slip when the motor is rotating. I’ve found a number of articles about this subject, but I’ve found many of them give […]
Posted in Building a CNC machine Tags: ACME rod, ACME screw, Brass Coupler, Coupler, Helical Beam Coupler, Helical Coupler, Misalignment, Rubber Coupler, Shaft, Stepper Motor, Threaded rod Comments Off on How to Couple Threaded Rod to Stepper MotorLinear power transmission for CNC machines
May 2nd, 2011 admin Threaded rods vs. ACME rods There are many methods of accomplishing linear power transmission, otherwise known as linear movement. Anything from a simple wheel, to a gear on a rack, to rubber belts will work. However, for hobby CNC machines, the most common method to accomplish movement is using threaded rods, or ACME rods.
Posted in Building a CNC machine Tags: ACME, ACME rod, ACME screw, Anti-backlash, Backlash, CNC, Cost, DIY, Hobby, Milling, nut, Price, Routing, Starts, Threaded, Threaded rod, TPI Comments Off on Linear power transmission for CNC machines