Well, I'll call this "finished," though there's never really going to be a point where there isn't something to do to it. But, it's etching aluminum, which is all I'd originally intended on doing anyway for PCB milling.
There are several improvements to be made, largely in my choice of bearing solutions. The skateboard bearing/round tube idea works in theory, but there is just too much jitter and play. I'll be investing in linear rail assemblies for when I rebuild the machine out of aluminum. (Thankfully, I already have the bulk of the aluminum.)
My original work log was titled "Portable CNC machine." However, this thing is only portable in the sense that it's not bolted to the floor. I ended up going with a bigger workspace than I had originally intended, mainly because in the end I would actually like to do work beyond just etching PCBs.
Safety issues need to be addressed, mainly I need to figure out why the limit switches refuse to operate.
So, video and pic dump.
First, special mention to those who gave advice and donated stuff/feedback/ideas to the project, mainly Sam and Beta.
Etched aluminum:
View of the tool holder assembly:
View of the machine sans tool holder assembly:
Video of etching plastic:
I'll post later with some more detailed pics of the wiring and such, once I get it cleaned up.
There are several improvements to be made, largely in my choice of bearing solutions. The skateboard bearing/round tube idea works in theory, but there is just too much jitter and play. I'll be investing in linear rail assemblies for when I rebuild the machine out of aluminum. (Thankfully, I already have the bulk of the aluminum.)
My original work log was titled "Portable CNC machine." However, this thing is only portable in the sense that it's not bolted to the floor. I ended up going with a bigger workspace than I had originally intended, mainly because in the end I would actually like to do work beyond just etching PCBs.
Safety issues need to be addressed, mainly I need to figure out why the limit switches refuse to operate.
So, video and pic dump.
First, special mention to those who gave advice and donated stuff/feedback/ideas to the project, mainly Sam and Beta.
Etched aluminum:
View of the tool holder assembly:
View of the machine sans tool holder assembly:
Video of etching plastic:
I'll post later with some more detailed pics of the wiring and such, once I get it cleaned up.
