Here you will find some informations about using a CNC machine for Homecockpitbuilding:

Content:
1. My old machine with the TB Controller
2. The new CNC Machine from Mr. Moederl
3. Workflow from first drawing to final product
4. Some thoughts

1. My old machine with the TB Controller

The first CNC machine was build following the guide on the Internet Site http://buildyourcnc.com/

You´ll find a perfect tutorial to build a capable CNC router which is sufficient to produce exact parts. Of cource a machine build out of MDF (medium density faserplatte) is not strong enough to mill Aluminum or other metals. But it is a good start. Be careful to invest into a propper controller system like Geckodrive or Benazan Triple Beast. I started with a cheap chinese 4 Axis Controler (TB6560) and had a lot of problems with missed steps etc. Even after soldering some additional clock chip and other micro modification on teh TB board i was frustrated and decided to go for a new controller.

2. The new CNC Machine from Mr. Moederl

After some careful consideration, i decided to buy a CNC Router from Hermann Moederl. This is a nice guy near Ingolstadt who puts an enormous ammount of his time into the development of affordable CNC Machines. You can find his Website unter this Link: www.mixware.de

The mill was ordered as a DIY assembly kit. For everybody with some mechanical knowledge it is no big problem to put this thing together. I was happy when the big package arrived and the postman was not happy because the overall weight was approx. 70 kg.

 

The assembly of the machine took me 4 days. You have to be careful to have everything aligned as it should be. I used a micrometer to align the linear rails for the X Axis. As piece of Multiplex (glued birchwood) was placed on top to serve as working table.

3. Workflow from first drawing to final product

The basis for all components is a good drawing. I create my drawings in Autocad and save them as DXF file. I strongly suggest that anybody who wants to use a CNC machine at home for DIY party, should at least have some good understand of layout software.

To be continued…..