Laser cut Mini CNC Machine

thingiverse

Mini CNC machine crafted from precision-cut 3mm plywood sheets. Engineered as a manufacturing tool, aiming to eventually machine aluminum components for constructing a larger CNC system. Designed to accommodate parts on the modified bed of my K40 laser cutter (max dimensions: 219 x 322mm). Primarily built with spare parts I had lying around, secured together using M3 16mm button head bolts (other M3 sizes were used where necessary for fixing stepper motors and slide blocks). The Y-axis features layered construction to accommodate M5 t-blocks as movable clamps holding down materials - a middle layer of 2mm acrylic is used but can be replaced with 3mm or 2mm plywood if desired. The design incorporates small (approximately 10mm x 20mm) micro switches as end stops. NEMA 17 stepper motors are utilized, which can vary in size for the X & Y axes but should be slimline (20mm depth) for the Z-axis. Two 100mm long linear rails and blocks (type LML12B on Ebay) support the Z-axis, while X & Y axes each ride on two affordable 300mm linear rails and blocks (similar to type MGN 12C). Stepper motors drive T8 8mm diameter / 2mm pitch lead screws with anti-backlash nuts, supported by 608ZZ bearings. A cost-effective 500w / 100v DC 52mm diameter motor from Ebay powers the spindle. Currently controlled using GRBL 1.1 on an Arduino UNO clone with a budget-friendly CNC shield. Preliminary testing reveals repeatable resolution on X & Y axes of less than 0.05mm.