CNC Hotwire (4-Axis)

thingiverse

This is a fully functional 4-Axis CNC Hotwire that I designed and built myself for building my RC planes. It is modular and can be assembled/disassembled easily by loosening the base screws and separating the towers from the front and back rails. In the same way, the distance between towers can be adjusted as needed. Finally, you can hang it on the wall ready to go (see photo of mine hanging in the garage) :) The electronics and details for calibration and configuration are covered masterfully by Keith Howlette in this website (https://rckeith.co.uk/), and my design is largely based on his work. If you are thinking of going ahead with this project, I highly recommend watching his videos and reading his materials on the website (he's got a free eBook that I found super useful). Thank you, Keith! This is v1.0 of the machine, and it is fully tested and functional. It is also very precise in terms of the cuts that can be achieved. Build Log in RCGroups: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?4193855-CNC-Hotwire-%284-axis%29-DIY-with-a-3D-printer Here is a list of the 3D printed parts: Frame parts - CNC Base Front Right.stl (x1, use mirror in your slicer for left part) - CNC Base Back Right.stl (x1, use mirror in your slicer for left part) - CNC Threaded Rod Guide.stl (x2) - CNC Foot.stl (x8) Horizontal carriage parts - CNC Horizontal Plate Exterior Right.stl (x1, use mirror in your slicer for left part) - CNC Horizontal Plate Interior Right.stl (x1, use mirror in your slicer for left part) - CNC Vertical Motor Support.stl (x2) - CNC Horizontal Guide.stl (x2) - CNC Wheel Shim.stl (x6) Vertical carriage parts - CNC Vertical Plate Exterior Right.stl (x1, use mirror in your slicer for left part) - CNC Vertical Plate Interior Right.stl (x1, use mirror in your slicer for left part) - CNC Vertical Guide.stl (x2) - CNC Vertical Rod Guide Right.stl (x1, use mirror in your slicer for left part) Wire mounts - Option 1 (springs or elastic bands) - CNC Wire Holder (springs).stl Wire mounts - Option 2 (recommended, wheel with weights) - CNC Wheel Holder.stl - CNC Wheel.stl Other parts - CNC Coupler.stl (x4) Controller case - CNC Bottom Case.stl (holds the MKS GEN L v1.0 board) - CNC Lid.stl (holds a 60mm fan for cooling) - CNC Fan Grid.stl Hardware required - 2x v-slot 4020 profiles 1m long - 1x v-slot 4020 profile 1.5m long (cut in a half for 2x horizontal rails) - 12x v-slot wheels standard size (625-2Z) - 1x v-slot 2020 profile 1m long (cut in a half for 2x vertical towers) - 2x threaded rods M10 (1.5mm step) 750mm long - 2x threaded rods M10 (1.5mm step) 500mm long - 4x M10 nuts (1.5mm step) - 16x M3 10mm screws for stepper motor mounts - 10x M5 10mm screws for fixing frame parts to v-slot holes - 8x M4 10mm screws for fixing frame parts to v-slot rails - 12x M5 35mm screws with nuts for wheel axels in carriages - 6x M4 10mm screws for fixing vertical towers to horizontal carriages - 4x M3 12mm screws with nuts for fixing vertical motor mounts to horizontal carriages - 4x M3 12mm screws with nuts for fixing threaded rod guides to horizontal carriages - 8x M3 12mm screws with nuts for fixing threaded rod and wire mounts to vertical carriages - 16x 2.5mm self tapping screws (12mm long) for couplers - 14x 4mm t-nuts for the M4 screws (they slot into the v-slot rails) I printed all the parts in PLA+ 0.3mm