Reader small image

You're reading from  A Tinkerer's Guide to CNC Basics

Product typeBook
Published inJan 2024
PublisherPackt
ISBN-139781803247496
Edition1st Edition
Concepts
Right arrow
Author (1)
Samer Najia
Samer Najia
author image
Samer Najia

Samer has been extremely interested in things that fly since he was six years old. An avid pilot, flight instructor, rocketeer and plastic modeler, he has been building things that fly or look like they might for as long as he can remember, including a full scale aircraft in the garage. Samer has a background in Mechanical Engineering and is a CNC and Laser hobbyist, but currently is working in IT – specifically software development. Samer resides in Alexandria, VA with his wife and two children and participates in his local maker space by teaching metal shaping techniques, rocketry and homebuilt aircraft construction.
Read more about Samer Najia

Right arrow

Differing approaches to motion in CNC machines

Depending on the nature of the machine itself, the motion system can vary based on the rigidity requirements of the toolhead. Very frequently, a compromise is struck between speed and rigidity (or stiffness) so that cheaper or more readily available components may be used. The most common of these tradeoffs is allowing X- and Y-axis motion to be driven by belts while the Z-axis motion operates using a leadscrew. Other designs use leadscrews throughout.

The following figure shows one of my four 3018 machines:

Figure 1.2 – A 3018 machine (see Figure 2.1 for an annotated close-up picture)

Figure 1.2 – A 3018 machine (see Figure 2.1 for an annotated close-up picture)

In the preceding figure, note the controller on the right. This picture was taken just prior to calibration. This is a machine that can be purchased online as a kit. It is made from some off-the-shelf parts (8020 aluminum extrusions, 8-mm steel rods, stepper motors (which are used for motion), leadscrews, and an engraving...

lock icon
The rest of the page is locked
Previous PageNext Page
You have been reading a chapter from
A Tinkerer's Guide to CNC Basics
Published in: Jan 2024Publisher: PacktISBN-13: 9781803247496

Author (1)

author image
Samer Najia

Samer has been extremely interested in things that fly since he was six years old. An avid pilot, flight instructor, rocketeer and plastic modeler, he has been building things that fly or look like they might for as long as he can remember, including a full scale aircraft in the garage. Samer has a background in Mechanical Engineering and is a CNC and Laser hobbyist, but currently is working in IT – specifically software development. Samer resides in Alexandria, VA with his wife and two children and participates in his local maker space by teaching metal shaping techniques, rocketry and homebuilt aircraft construction.
Read more about Samer Najia