CNC Router Plans

Modular Design

As shown above, the machine can easily be disassembled for storage.

The modular design also permits the axes to be exchanged with other ones. For example, a second longer table bed could use the same gantry and Z axis assemblies.

The machine can be removed from its wooden base so it can cut large stock.

Individual legs can be removed to fit oddly sized stock.

Speeds

NEMA 23 steppers move each axis. This is a standard size that is available in many stepper and drive packages.

When moved with 269 oz.in. steppers driven by Geckodrive's 201 drives, the rack axis can rapid over 1000 inches per minute, and the leadscrew axes can move over 600 ipm.

Scaling Notes

This machine has a footprint of 26 x 30 inches. It was designed to use off the shelf stock in standard lengths. The 2 foot gantry beam gives a cutting width of 18 inches. The 2 foot racks give a 24 inch cutting length. The Z travel is over 5 inches. These can be enlarged.

The rack axis can be made longer. The limitations are the length of the rails used with the V bearings, and the solidity of the bed. Racks can be abutted for virtually infinite length.

For the gantry axis, a 4 inch beam up to 3 feet long has served well on other trim router machines that have been built here. Longer beams flex with aggressive cutting, which permits more chatter. A 36 inch beam will give 30 inches of carriage travel.

Replacing the 4 inch channel beam with 5 or 6 inch channel stock will require multiple alterations, which are not addressed in the plans.

Using a Larger Router

A larger router has been tested on this machine. The machine will flex before the router is pushed to its stalling point. However, a larger router can still be useful because of its longer life, and its ability to use a wider variety of bits.

The weight of a large router will cause fast leadscrews, such as 2 turn per inch, to back-drive on the Z axis when the stepper is disabled. This can be remedied by using a five or more turn per inch leadscrew on the Z.

Supplier Notes

This machine is sized in imperial units because it is built of inch sized components from USA suppliers.

The suppliers' international shipping varies. Metric substitutions will require alterations to the machine's design, which are not addressed in the plans.

Pulleys and belts are available from a variety of suppliers including mcmaster.com, sdp-si.com and econobelt.com. Their inventories change regularly and it may be necessary to shop among these to find the match that is currently available. The plan's Materials List mentions a number of options that will work for the pulleys and belts. There is more information on the Pulleys page.

Onlinemetals.com is the supplier for the aluminum. Their smaller steel stock has arrived bent, so it is recommended to buy it locally. The steel is usually available from home centers.

Clicking the Buy Now button in the table below will forward you to PayPal via the downloading service.

The Digital Download page gives more information about downloading the plans.