fter achieving decent accuracy with the 2-Axis Cardboard CNC machine, it gave me the confidence to make the 3-Axis CNC machine with the cardboard. Here are some of my design considerations when designing this machine.
- No Glue
- Modular design elements / cut outs
- Reconfigurable, you can make the bed/stage larger or smaller
- Press fit construction
- You can use different materials other than cardboard by changing the press fit slots based on the thickness of the material.
- Easy to disassemble and reassemble. Easy to repair
Here is the physical output overlaying the SVG file.
----------------------- step1 Materials ----------------------
To build the Cardboard CNC machine you will need.
Material & Hardware
- One sheet of Corrugated cardboard, at lease 36" X 24" (200 lb. test - General Purpose.) http://www.uline.com/BL_1851/Large-Corrugated-Pads 12dh
- 3 Lead Scews 3X T8 L300mm 8mm Lead 4 Start Lead Screw and Nut https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PXIEK50/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 380dh
- 6 Linear Motion Ball Bearing (Buy 2 pack of 4) 2X BQLZR SCS8UU Linear Motion Ball Bearing CNC Slide Bushing 34.5mm Length Pack Of 4 https://www.amazon.com/BQLZR-SCS8UU-Linear-Bearing-Bushing/dp/B00IJ67BJA 140dh
- 5 Linear Motion 8 mm Shaft (the Z-Axis only needs one shaft, because we are cutting it in half ) 5 X Linear Motion 8 mm Shaft, 330 mm Length, Chrome Plated, Case Hardened, Metric https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045DUX5A/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 620dh
- 3 X Shaft Coupler 5mm to 8mm, I used the more expensive one, but there are cheaper ones out there 2 X 2 PCS Flexible Couplings 5mm to 8mm NEMA 17 Shaft for RepRap 3D Printer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010MZ8T2S?psc=1&smid=A2YI8XQU239Q2W 150dh or 3X Enpoint™ CNC Motor Encoder Curved Jaw Coupling 5x8mm 25x30mm Jaw Clamp Style Shaft Coupler with Aluminum Jaw Coupling Hubs and PU Elastomer Spider for Servo Motors https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016F4562G/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 500dh
- 3 Nema 17 Stepper Motors 3PCS 45Ncm Nema 17 Stepper Motor 2A 4-wire 1m Cable for DIY 3D Printer CNC Robot https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y2HGJV6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 400dh
- 6 of 8mm x 19mm x 6mm Sealed Deep Groove Radial Ball Bearingsuxcell 8mm x 19mm x 6mm Sealed Deep Groove Radial Ball Bearings 698Z 10 Pcs https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K86F646/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- M3 and M4 Screws, M3 Nut and M3 Stop Nut. http://amzn.to/29N314mhttp://amzn.to/29W7CMWhttp://amzn.to/29W7DAuhttp://amzn.to/29V4R4Bhttp://amzn.to/2a1GaRBhttp://amzn.to/2avW70E
- TinyG or any other Stepper Motor Controller I like TinyG because it's easy to setup and it has on board easing. https://www.adafruit.com/products/1749 130dh
- Power Supply Adapter for Tiny G https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LUIKY4S/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 200dh
----------------------- Step2 Software + Tools ----------------------
Software :
Chilipepprhttp://chilipeppr.com/tinyg
Install Serial Port JSON Server (Instructions are all in the Chilipeppr)
For Mac users, In terminal type in the following to start serial-port-json-server /Users/dan/Downloads/serial-port-json-server_macosx_v1.80/serial-port-json-server ; exit;
Machine Access / Tools :
- Abrasive saw or jewelers saw This is for cutting the 8mm Linear Motion Shaft and lead screw
- Laser Cutter Tip: use 80 to 90% dpi or laser frequency so that the cardboard won't burn as much
- 3D Printer 3D printer is used to produce the coupler that connects the lead screw and the platform. Download the STL file below.
----------------------- step3 ----------------------
Design Files / Cut file :
----------------------- step4 Assembling --------------------
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