3D Printed & Laser Cut, Lil-CNC Mill ACv2

thingiverse

This compact CNC 3-axis mill has been meticulously reworked from its original form on Instructables. With dimensions barely surpassing those of an All-In-One printer, it can precisely etch most materials, including delicately stripping copper from PCBs. Moreover, this impressive little device can cut, drill, and mill soft to medium-density materials with remarkable precision. Despite its moderate speed, its potential is nothing short of astounding, particularly considering the affordable nature of building one. Upgrading the spindle motor, reinforcing it with side stiffeners, and swapping the all-thread for precise Acme threaded rods are straightforward ways to unlock even greater capabilities. The design's scalable nature allows users to modify and adapt it without having to reprint parts. While this may necessitate recutting laser-cut components or procuring longer rods, the results can be impressive. A remarkable demonstration of the mill's etching prowess can be seen in a YouTube video where it skillfully engraves a Hello World logo into acrylic. The border surrounding this iconic Open Hardware logo is a neat 40x40mm, making it an ideal choice for initial X and Y movement calibration. With its text reaching up to approximately 4mm in height, the cutting bit used – a 25-degree 0.3mm flat-tip engraving bit – was able to make a remarkable impact. This reworked version maintains full backward compatibility with the original laser-cut frame from Instructables. However, some small M3 hardware components have undergone minor adjustments in count and length. For those interested in constructing their own mill, consider using the printed motor standoffs, which require specific bearing blocks for optimal performance.