rBot 3D Printable CNC Mill with IKEA Work Surface

Michael Reitter developed a homemade 3D printable CNC mill which uses a IKEA MALM table as working surface. Probably the coolest IKEA hack ever.

rBot in action:




You can learn more about it and get all the information needed to build it at project homepage:

https://rbotcnc.wordpress.com/

All the files for 3d printing the parts:

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1195229

Someone note in the comments that this is a CNC router. So, what is a different between CNC mill and CNC router?

"A CNC router will usually have a large X and Y range and short Z... A router will typically be able to do soft materials like wood, plastic, and maybe aluminum... But overall, it won't have the most rigid structure (like this one which is 3d printed)

A CNC Mill will have a relatively smaller X and Y with a larger Z than a router... A mill will be able to cut hard materials like steel... And thus will have a very rigid structure so that it can accurately cut those materials."
More info at:

http://hobbymilling.com/the-difference-between-a-mill-and-a-router/

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Hacking and Upgrading Cheap Chinese 3020 and 3040 CNCs

I plan to buy a cheap or even second-hand Chinese 3020 or 3040 CNC mill so I looked around to find a way to improve it with parts I already have like Arduino or some simple electronic upgrades. I found two interesting guides:


Upgrading 3020 (and other models) with Arduino, GRBL and CNC Shield V3




Detailed guide by EricAusome can be found at:

http://www.instructables.com/id/3020-CNC-Arduino-GRBL-CNC-Shield-V3/?ALLSTEPS


John Lauer hacked his 3040 to run with ChiliPeppr and TinyG.


Source: http://hackaday.com/2015/09/08/how-to-upgrade-a-chinese-cnc-machine/

This post will serve as my knowledge base and will be expanded as I gather more CNC hacks.

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Tormach PCNC 440 Home Manufacturing High End CNC Mill

Did you ever wanted to have a small factory for metal parts in your garage? Now you can ...

Tormach is major player in high end CNC machines and they just announced their professional PCNC 440 model which is aimed at home and small workshop manufacturing. It is priced at $4,950 which is relatively low cost for this type of machine.

Home and distributed manufacturing is rapidly developing and this is just another sign of it.


Video introduction of PCNC 440 with tech specs:







Tormach 440 mill homepage:

http://www.tormach.com/440mill

Make review:

http://makezine.com/2015/09/22/the-tormach-pcnc-440-welcome-to-the-era-of-desktop-cnc-mill/


Here is the unboxing and video review:





... it can also cut 4140 steel:




Full Tormach 440 workstation without tool changer:

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TRiBOT will give you 3d printing, CNC milling and injection molding in one machine

TRiBOT is a world’s first 3-in-1 manufacturing machine that allows you to 3D print, CNC mill and injection mold and it's developed by Luminar Products. It looks like a heavy duty home manufacturing machine that could enhance capabilities of hobbyist, professional home craftsman or even small company.
The concept of all-in.one machine has both supporters and critics, advantages and disadvantages. It's up to you to decide.
The price is in the 8000 USD range so it will definitely not be in everyone's garage.


TRiBOT technical specifications from Kickstarter page:

The TRiBOT Machine Includes:

• The Base 130 pound base mill converted to CNC with a www.stirlingsteele.com 3 axis motion control kit

• Enhanced 11 x 5 x 11 travel area

• 3 NEMA 23 steppers 

• 4 axis step and direction controller/driver & DC power supply 

• 0.200 pitch Z axis ball screw 

• X and Y Lead Screws 

• Extruder 3D Printer head which includes a 70 oz/in NEMA 23 gear-head stepper motor, Stainless steel feed tube with 1.5 inch tall copper, heater block 100 watt heater cartridge, Thermocouple and cooling fan 

• Filament injection mold head Includes a 120 oz/in NEMA 23 gear-head stepper motor Stainless steel feed tube with 4 inch tall aluminum heater block 280 watt heater cartridge Thermocouple and cooling fan 

• 2 PIC digital temperature controllers boxed in an electronic enclosure 

• 3D printing stage plate 

• Sample pack of 3mm diameter PLA printing filament 

• Tooling package including: Vise, 6 piece end mill set, collet set, parallel set, 0-1/2” drill chuck, assorted wrenches, T-Nuts, mounting screws, bar clamps and step blocks 

• Wheeled steel service cart with 2 shelves

• Power strip with built in circuit breaker 

• Desktop computer with Linux OS, Linux CNC, MeshCAM, Slic3r, and FreeCAD 3D drawing software all pre-installed and ready to use. 

• Computer monitor - key board - mouse - cables

• One set of blank aluminum mold plates 

3D printer specifications:

11x5x11 build area. Capable of printing multiple plastics at temperatures up to 400 degrees C. Luminar Products super extruder print head with gear head stepper, very strong solid aluminum print head body, copper heater block with stainless steel feed tube and brass nozzles. Prints up to 75 mm per second. 3 amp 4 axis motion controller with 8 micro steps for 1600 steps per motor revolution

CNC Milling Machine specifications:

11x5x11 XYZ travel All cast iron, dovetailed ways heavy duty X2D mini-mill shipping weight about 140 pounds R8 spindle taper accepts common tooling Variable speed DC spindle motor T slotted cast iron table 1 inch drilling capability , 3/4 inch milling capability The CNC converted milling machine also retains its ability to be used as a manual mill when needed

Automatic injection molding machine specifications:

Can inject single or multiple cavities of equal or different shot sizes. Molded parts can be created from a 1 kilo (2.2 pounds) spool of plastic plastic weld rod or printer filament. This means no filling with pelletized plastic in between each part. Plastic weld rod or filament is available in many plastic types and colors. computer programmed in g-code for automatic injection molding Powerful NEMA 23 200 in/oz stepper motor driven gear head mounted to a Luminar Products super extruder print head with an enlarged 300 watt powered heater block for rapid shot recovery. controlled with g-code so shot size can be programmed for each mold cavity.

TRiBOT is on Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/889592677/tribot-3d-print-cnc-mill-auto-mold-machine-in-one


Luminar Products home page:

http://www.luminarproducts.com/

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Simple desktop DIY CNC mill with detailed construction guide

If you made your own 3d printer you will nbe able to make this simple and small desktop cnc mill that will expand your tool options. It can engrave and make PCBs and any other thing you can imagine.

The project is developed by Instructables user liquidhandwash and it is made with 3d printed plastic parts, Arduino Uno, lasercut acrylic plates for frame (hand cut wood looks doable also), NEMA style motors and other simple parts. The spindle motor was recycled from an old cordless drill. There is no exact price but it looks very affordable.  

Very detailed construction guide, software and all the files needed can be found at:

http://www.instructables.com/id/3D-printed-CNC-mill/?ALLSTEPS


So much interesting projects, so little time ...

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How to upgrade your Velleman K8200 3d printer into CNC mill and drill

Velleman K8200 (or 3Drag) is 3d printer type with many users and with developed upgrade ecosystem. Here is a detailed guide on how to upgrade it into desktop CNC mill / drill machine ideal for PCB milling with simple alterations and attachments to basic model machine. Mill is usually a Dremel or similar multitool.

Detailed guide with all the steps and softwarecan be found at:

http://www.open-electronics.org/how-to-transform-your-3drag-3d-printer-in-a-cnc-milling-machine/

YT user under alias DCM made similar DIY modification to his Velleman K8200 making it into CNC mill and drill with air cleaning and here is video and forum post demonstrating it:

http://forum.velleman.eu/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=10292

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