Zain
I always have an interest in making autonomous machines that can do difficult tasks very easily. This is a small sized cnc plotter using Arduino UNO R3 , GCode Sender and GRBL controller.
The word CNC stands for Computer Numeric Control (CNC[1]) is the automation of machine tools that are operated by precisely programmed commands encoded on a storage medium (computer command module, usually located on the device) as opposed to controlled manually by hand wheels or levers, or mechanically automated by cams alone. Most NC today is computer (or computerized) numerical control (CNC),[2] in which computers play an integral part of the control.
In modern CNC systems, end-to-end component design is highly automated using computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing
(CAM) programs. The programs produce a computer file that is
interpreted to extract the commands needed to operate a particular
machine by use of a post processor, and then loaded into the CNC
machines for production. Since any particular component might require
the use of a number of different tools – drills, saws, etc. – modern
machines often combine multiple tools into a single "cell". In other
installations, a number of different machines are used with an external
controller and human or robotic operators that move the component from
machine to machine. In either case, the series of steps needed to
produce any part is highly automated and produces a part that closely
matches the original CAD design.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numerical_control
After doing some research I decided to design and build my own machine. To make it cheap I used all mechanical components from scrap (wood and aluminum). It took me almost 1 month to build the machine from start to finish. The size of the machine is 1 ft x 1 ft and working area is about 6 in x 6in x 4in.
I am using different CAD software (AutoCAD, Solidworks, Studio Max, Inscape) to make 2D sketches and then using Gcode convertor I insert .nc files to GRBL software. The results are perfect and accurate. Here is a video of my mini cnc plotter.
Dharshan Bashkaran Latha
jvsalatino
NPN
TanaH
Thanks for detailing your project so well. The photos of the pen holder will be very useful.
What settings do you use in GRBL for pulse time, maximum rate, and acceleration?
I'm also using CDROM scavenged stepper motors, but they are running REALLY hot.
Thanks!