First Thread? Making a Mini CNC Milling Machine

johnv

johnv

Joined
May 30, 2024
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Location
Geelong, Australia
Not sure if this is the correct forum to post about making a machine. But I will see what responses I get, whether I continue with posting the build or not.
I am a newbie as far as model ship building goes, but I do have experience in CNC and conventional metalworking, making working model steam engines, model cannons, making wooden furniture, casting metals, 3d printing, etc etc. I recently decided to make a small CNC milling machine, and wondered whether any SOS readers would be interested in in watching progress. Let me know. Some early progress photos are attached, including the machine which I am copying.IMG_4849.JPG
 
johnv said:
Not sure if this is the correct forum to post about making a machine. But I will see what responses I get, whether I continue with posting the build or not.
I am a newbie as far as model ship building goes, but I do have experience in CNC and conventional metalworking, making working model steam engines, model cannons, making wooden furniture, casting metals, 3d printing, etc etc. I recently decided to make a small CNC milling machine, and wondered whether any SOS readers would be interested in in watching progress. Let me know. Some early progress photos are attached, including the machine which I am copying.View attachment 476504
Click to expand...
I salute your cleverness, sir!
 
i have a cnc 3018 that I have modified with upgrades(upgraded spindle motor, upgrade controller, upgraded powersupply). I am currently looking at putting limit switches on it but first I have to build the limit switch mounts with a 3D printer. I also have a MF70 that I purchased a CNC conversion kit. Yes I am addicted to tools.
 
OK, thanks for the encouragement guys. I will post progress.
At this point, the designer and maker of the orange CNC mill has very generously provided me with his plans for the mill, and the stl files for printing the orange structural parts. And my 3d FDM printer is busily printing as I type this. Also, I have ordered a Proxxon drill grinder with the long cylindrical snout from my local tool supplier ($AUD 250). I have also placed orders with AliExpress for the 4 Nema 17 printer motors plus a spare ($AUD85), the hardened 8mm steel shafts, the 8mm T8 trapezoidal 2mm pitch screws, and spring loaded anti backlash T8 nuts; the bearings, and other bits of hardware that I don't have in my workshop ($AUD150). I will post a detailed list of the parts later.
The stimulus for this mill project arose because I am currently making a Mamoli 1:93 USS Constitution, and I realised that my 74 year old eyes are not up to the job of accurate drilling e.g. belaying pin racks. So I was looking at suitable, sensitive, mini drills. I have a 3 ton CNC milling machine, but She Who Must Be Obeyed was not enthusiastic about me using it at my ship modelling desk, which is located in our living room. Actually, the big mill does tiny jobs with great accuracy, but using it involves a 30 minute drive from home, so not very suitable for my home based ship modelling. I was considering making a sensitive drilling press, then, when I was visiting my expert friend Stuart for a laser engraving favour, the light bulb in my head switched on when I spotted his orange mini mill. Long story short, he was happy to provide me with the plans and stl's, so a temporary diversion from ship modelling, and I am into the mini mill project.
Not much to show photographically yet, but the picture below is an eDrawing of Stuart's plan. I quite like the green colour, but the only PLA filament which I have at present is black, so that is what I am using. You will note the CNC controlled dividing head which I will also be including in the build.
The mini mill will be operated by Mach3, for which I have a license. I will provide details of the electronics and wiring after the structural bits are finished.

Screenshot 2024-10-09 234642.png
 
Initial batches of 3D printed components. I am using a QIDI X-Max3, PLA Rapido. Black because that is what I have on hand. Note the Benchy... Constitution's life boat. The second photo is after 8 hours of printing, with another 8 hours to go. And another batch to follow.

IMG_4865.JPG

IMG_4864.JPG
 
Steef66 said:
Seems that the MF70 is perfect for this, just small parts, but it seems to work. Please show us.
Click to expand...
will do.
I purchased the stepper motors and the mounting hardware, along with the controller from ebay. I don't think they sell them anymore but I think you can still get the mounting hardware. The stepper motors are Nema 17 so those should be easy to find. For the controller card I decided I am going to use the one that is used by my cnc engraver because I want to use GRBL and the card that is with this kit has ESTLCAM firmware that I am not familiar with. I think you can change the firmware, but it's an older card and I want something modern.

So, once I have assembled the hardware and installed the stepper motors, then I have to change the GRBL configuration. I could use some help with what some of the addresses are for. In particular 100 to 122.
100, 101, and 102 are calculations that I need to research.
I am unclear on what settings to use for 110 to 122

Grbl 1.1f [‘$’ for help]
>>> $$
$0 = 10 (Step pulse time, microseconds)
$1 = 25 (Step idle delay, milliseconds)
$2 = 0 (Step pulse invert, mask)
$3 = 5 (Step direction invert, mask)
$4 = 0 (Invert step enable pin, boolean)
$5 = 0 (Invert limit pins, boolean)
$6 = 0 (Invert probe pin, boolean)
$10 = 3 (Status report options, mask)
$11 = 0.010 (Junction deviation, millimeters)
$12 = 0.002 (Arc tolerance, millimeters)
$13 = 0 (Report in inches, boolean)
$20 = 0 (Soft limits enable, boolean)
$21 = 0 (Hard limits enable, boolean)
$22 = 0 (Homing cycle enable, boolean)
$23 = 0 (Homing direction invert, mask)
$24 = 25.000 (Homing locate feed rate, mm/min)
$25 = 500.000 (Homing search seek rate, mm/min)
$26 = 250 (Homing switch debounce delay, milliseconds)
$27 = 1.000 (Homing switch pull-off distance, millimeters)
$30 = 1000 (Maximum spindle speed, RPM)
$31 = 5 (Minimum spindle speed, RPM)
$32 = 0 (Laser-mode enable, boolean)
$100 = 800.000 (X-axis travel resolution, step/mm)
$101 = 800.000 (Y-axis travel resolution, step/mm)
$102 = 800.000 (Z-axis travel resolution, step/mm)
$110 = 2500.000 (X-axis maximum rate, mm/min)
$111 = 2000.000 (Y-axis maximum rate, mm/min)
$112 = 1500.000 (Z-axis maximum rate, mm/min)
$120 = 45.000 (X-axis acceleration, mm/sec^2)
$121 = 45.000 (Y-axis acceleration, mm/sec^2)
$122 = 48.000 (Z-axis acceleration, mm/sec^2)
$130 = 300.000 (X-axis maximum travel, millimeters)
$131 = 180.000 (Y-axis maximum travel, millimeters)
$132 = 44.000 (Z-axis maximum travel, millimeters)
 
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nice benchy. mine come out pretty good too when the cables don't get in the way of the gantry. I have to fix that. Quick question, if I may. Do you find that you will get a lot of use out of the alpha axis?
 
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Jack Sparrow said:
nice benchy. mine come out pretty good too when the cables don't get in the way of the gantry. I have to fix that. Quick question, if I may. Do you find that you will get a lot of use out of the alpha axis?
Click to expand...
Hi Jack, I have a 4th axis on my full size CNC mill, and it gets so much use that it is permanently attached to the bed. For the mini mill, I don't really know. It could be useful for machining flats on masts, or even as a CNC lathe. Hey, maybe we have started something with a use for benchy's.
 
johnv said:
Hi Jack, I have a 4th axis on my full size CNC mill, and it gets so much use that it is permanently attached to the bed. For the mini mill, I don't really know. It could be useful for machining flats on masts, or even as a CNC lathe. Hey, maybe we have started something with a use for benchy's.
Click to expand...
I have one of these that apparently works well on mast operations:

1728601919734.png
 
Great work John.

I would welcome a detailed "how-to" to create a CNC Mill that can be used in the shipyard workshop, approved by admirals, as opposed to large 3T versions.

I would like to know the exact details of the required computer, electronic and mechanical components used, including 3D printed parts.

Can I assume the 4th axis refers to rotation, which in the case of the Proxxon attachment can be mounted in the X or Z planes, making it a 4+ axis consideration.

I also have flirted with the idea of converting my MF70 to a CNC machine but have not yet been convinced of suitable package of equipment for sale.

If anyone here, on SoS has a tried and tested recommendation, I would welcome that information too.

Good luck John, and please keep posting as much information and pictures as you are able.

Michael
 
Steef66 said:
John, did you designed the parts for your mill by yourself or did you download the them?
Click to expand...
NOT designed by me. Designed by a friend who happens to be expert in CAD design, 3D printing, electronics, and CNC. I am using his plans and 3D printing files, and ringing him frequently for clarification and advice. At this time I have not approached him (Stuart) for permission to publish his drawings and stl files, but that might happen down the track. Some of his work is on YouTube as stuartenginebuilder. The quality of his work continually staggers me.
 
Chestcutter said:
Great work John.

I would welcome a detailed "how-to" to create a CNC Mill that can be used in the shipyard workshop, approved by admirals, as opposed to large 3T versions.

I would like to know the exact details of the required computer, electronic and mechanical components used, including 3D printed parts.

Can I assume the 4th axis refers to rotation, which in the case of the Proxxon attachment can be mounted in the X or Z planes, making it a 4+ axis consideration.

I also have flirted with the idea of converting my MF70 to a CNC machine but have not yet been convinced of suitable package of equipment for sale.

If anyone here, on SoS has a tried and tested recommendation, I would welcome that information too.

Good luck John, and please keep posting as much information and pictures as you are able.

Michael
Click to expand...
Hi Michael, This build is a very small CNC milling machine. I think that it will be very useful for model ship building. Exact details are a moving target, but for this machine the requirements will be..... A working computer. Does not have to flash or modern to run a CNC machine. Just needs a few USB ports and and an ethernet connection, A CAD program such as Solidworks, Fusion 360, FreeCad, the first 2 will require a more powerful computer. A big learning curve to learn a sophisticated CAD program like Solidworks. To mill solid shapes of any size (and I have been using a 3 Ton CNC mill, and a CNC lathe) I use Vectric V Carve Pro and Mach 3 to actually run the machines.
With respect to the 4th axis on the mill which I am making, it will be powered with a cheap Nema 17 stepper motor, on this machine identical to the other 3 axis motors. The Proxxon is used only for the main spindle on the Z axis, for drilling and milling.
When I have assembled the actual mini mill I will start on the electronics, and that is where it will get complicated.
I have converted a manual lathe to CNC, and it was a big job. It works well. But I had lots of expert advice and I doubt that I would have managed without that expertise. I also used my big CNC mill to make many of the components. I will show you if you wish. I suggest that you do not consider such a conversion unless you have expert advice.
And yes, I will post lots of photos. I hope that puts things into perspective.
Regards John
 
After I am done modding the MF70, I am wondering if I will still even need the CNC3018. RIght now it doesn't get much use. It's a good thing I didn't spend too much money on it.
 
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