CNC router bed size advice

[Mr_P]

My cnc router is still in the planning stages, my current requirements are very small not even 30cm square.

Was thinking of building the machine approx A3 size to future proof and maybe pick up some extra work.

A3 = 30 x 42cm but having just measured my kitchen cabinet doors the biggest is 73*60cm

So A3 looks very small, any suggestions ?

Guess the obvious answer is build as big as you can afford but space and finances are limited.

 

[John51]

I don't think home cnc machines need to be big as the commercial machines seem to be having surplus capacity. I've got a Zenbot 1216 (12" x 16") and find it adequate for my projects. Yet to try it on making the segments for bowls etc.

If large projects are rare, then paying to have them done elsewhere would imo come to less money over the years than having a big machine doing mostly small projects and getting in the way.

 

[WandrinAndy]

I suppose this really depends on your intended use of the machine.

Personally I'm planning on a cutting area that covers a 1/4 sheet..... 1220x610 ..... which will also allow me to accurately machine/mark out, with a bit of jiggery and within reason, boards of any length up to a width of 610 ........ most commonly 2440x610.

 

[Mr_P]

My current needs are very small. Basically I have had an idea and I think its good. Sadly it's a secret and therefore market research is impossible.

Decided to make 100 of them myself at home in my garage. Have very little wood working experience but a bizarre background that includes qualifications in Accounts and Electronics.

Hoping to launch in November when 1 of 3 things will happen
1). Overnight Success
2). Slow - Slow n steady, won't make me rich but might be a nice living.
3). Complete failure.

So options 2 or 3 would benefit from additional work / income, hence building a bigger than required machine.

 

[monkeybiter]

Why not make it adaptable with a standard drive/control unit, size customisable by choosing table/bed and slide rail size at point of sale?

 

[John51]

From my studies on cnc, it seems that a small increase in size means a lot more stability needed.

The guy who does the Zenbot has got himself a nice cottage industry. Sure there are corners cut, no limit switches etc. but imo it's an intelligent compromise between price and function. I did a lot of reading before choosing it.

If ever I get a round tuit, I'll start replacing the HDPE parts with ali.

Good luck with your venture.

 

[flh801978]

I've just started making a cnc positioning device to use router,engraving cutter knife cutter and laser later on
I started by getting the electronics working and making a z axis and fitting a motor to a rotary table for 4th axis
here it is ..real dining table stuff..


The stuff for the X and Y axis arrived yesterday


I've ordered 12mm alloy for the framework of the machine bed is 700x 450 mm and a 10mm steel board for work area which is 650x350 so I will be able to machine 500x350 with a z axis of about 200mm

I'm trying to make it as rigid as possible so I can machine alloys and brass as well as woods and paper/card.

Does anyone have any ideas about lasers? what size would I need to cut veneers/acrylic ?

Ian

 

[John51]

Wouldn't a knife be a better option for paper/card?

 

[Dangermouse]

Hmmm...... I think I'll stick to my Record no4 (homer) :wink:

 

[Peter T]

Does anyone have any ideas about lasers? what size would I need to cut veneers/acrylic ?

Ian

If you want to cut organic materials, plastics, paper etc. you will need a Carbon Dioxide (CO2) laser.

These are available in a baffling array of shapes and sizes but I would suggest your best bet would be a sealed CO2 laser. These are small, sealed for life lasers that you can plug into a 13 amp socket and will give some tens of Watts up to some hundreds of Watts, depending on which one you buy.

With laser cutting it's usually a case of the more power the better! A laser with a few hundred Watts is going to cut thicker material faster than a laser with a few tens of Watts. Be aware, however, that smaller lasers tend to be air cooled while larger laser need to be water cooled. So, if you splash out on a larger laser you may also need to buy a chiller.

As with all things laser, the costs can be frightening, and you may need to consider a used laser. A good place to find these are bankrupt/insolvency auctions where machines worth thousands go to the highest bidder, sometimes for very low prices.

Good luck,