I must admit, most of this is still foreign language to me. I'm 74 years old with a high school education. I have become very interested in learning how all this stuff works. I bought an Arduino kit but then I got high centered and have not gone any further. I need to find a place where I can learn and ask questions. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you doing these videos. I only wish I could absorb the information as fast as you talk. I will be going back and re-watching them all. I also need to get the stuff to build some of what you have shown. I got interested because I want to build some sort of CNC woodworking machines. Thanks again and please keep up the great work.
John, Great video! Not only am I interested in virtually 99% of the content of your videos, your enthusiasm is very contagious! Machining, Tormach, CNC, Arduinos, control... I love it all, and your presentation style is perfect for us home shop machinists and tinkerers. I see 100K in your near future John. Good luck and keep it up! To those reading this who are new to the NYC CNC Channel; I've been watching John's videos for several years. You owe it to yourself to see where he began in a small apartment in New York City. I suggest that you go back and watch all of his previous videos to really understand how he became what you see in his current videos from Ohio. As a simple home shop kind of guy with many of the same interests as John, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching his growth and learning. In the process I have learned much more than I ever thought possible. But hold on, it's quite a fun ride! Disclaimer: I have never met or spoken to John personally. I just admire what he's accomplished and demonstrated what is possible.
Am building a pen plotter, I already bought the steppers, dude you are my hero, it's a blessing I followed your channel even before I started thinking about building a cnc.
a common fix for the racking is to drive that axis on both side of the gantry, either with two stepper or a single stepper and a drive shaft at each end
I have a professional flatboard CNC-Cutter at home. To fix the vibrations of your pen you need to build a toolholder that push your pencil to the drawing surface. If you you need fine-adjustment, just add a tension-screw to the top of the springholder. And if you replace the marker for a ballpoint pen you will get even better results, maybe already without spring. If you want to continue on building a drawing machine, you can lift your pen with an electromagnet that pushs up the flexible part of the pen (under the spring).
I just woke up and watched this with my first brew of the day and even in my John Hurt waking up in Alien state I could follow all of this. Beautifully explained John and your enthusiasm is infectious!
I work as a software engineer, but mechatronics has always fascinated me. I started hobby electronics a while back, now I'm working on stepper motors. I just took apart my old printer and salvaged quite a bit of hardware :) I'm going to create a candy machine and use the printer / scanner body :D
If there is one video out there that can convince someone that it is not hard to build a cnc for hobby use, it is this one. I like the fact that the cost of the individual parts is spelled out - as well as the limitations one has with these parts.
Your videos are awesome man. A viewer can really follow along and learn as you show and teach your concepts. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Thanks so much for making them. Hats off to you.
i see a lot of passion in your videos , i am sure yo already contribute a lot to Human Kind. your videos and techniques helped me as inputs for lot of my work. Thanks a lot
thank you John! your friends from Yachiyo here.. i have been interested in Audrino for years but never broke the ice and bought one. But after this video im doing it! lol
That is a great project! I retired a year ago after 40 years with GE as a Tool and Die Maker. I am getting started with Arduino and plan to use them for projects in my work shop. That machine you built may be on my list of things to work on. Keep up the good work and thanks for the video!
I couldn't count the number of times I said to myself (out loud), "This is awesome. This is sooo awesome." Thank you AGAIN for posting a continuation video on this subject. Thanks for walking through the g-code as well. That cleared up so many questions I had. I'm going to check out your site right now. I feel like I just have to buy something from you or if you have a donation arrangement, send you something so you can continue these projects. You've done such an excellent job providing content and helping me learn it's the least I can do!
NYC CNC Hi John, thanks again for always replying! I really wish I could make it to the open house. I'm in Michigan, North of Detroit and only but about 5 hours away. Since I can't make it though due to scheduling to the open house, I'd like to maybe help out in some way. I'll shoot you an email with what I had in mind. :)
With pulleys using a timing belt or linear motion belt (looks like G2 belt), do not calculate the travel by the pulley OD times pi, you get whatever you want as a result. Just check the tooth pitch of your belt and multiply by the tooth count of your pulley. Your machine would have 16 teeth pulleys and GT2 belt which has 2 mm pitch, so 16 * 2 mm = 32 mm per revolution of the stepper.
I'm building something similar in my mechanical engineering class (as a additional project) but I'm so into this kind of stuff, that I'm definetly going to build another CNC Machine at home.
I went to COSI also! I saw the same robotic arm there. I also saw several of the 3D printers a few years ago project and built a reprap (or two). We do live in a fantastic age! Thanks!
One easy way to solve the rigidity in the x axis would be to add another belt to the back rail on two idlers. Connect the two belts with another shorter belt on the left side between the existing idlers. This will keep extra radial load off the shaft of the stepper and should firm up the back end of the assembly.
Starting to plan out how I'm going to build one of these for personal projects. Thanks for the videos! It's funny you mention COSI because I live in Columbus and can see the COSI building right now through the window at work!
I'm a boilermaker and I have allways been interested in CNC ,your right that this is an awesome era to be able to do this but it looks a bit over my head,great video,good job man.
Loved your video. I would offer a tip for working with belts. Just multiply the number of teeth by the pitch. If you are using a MXL belt (.080 pitch) and a 20 tooth pulley you will move your axis .08 X 20 = 1.600 inches in one revolution.
Great work bro, I am a final year mechanical student, when I was in my first year I used to think that I will make such type of machine but our education is very poor student goes to collage just to complete the engineering graduation, and they do not know any think, including me, but we can't do any thing, hope I will be making this type of machine in future, definitely inspiring video,thank you
Thanks for posting this and detailing your work like this. There is a LOT of great info here. I just want to point out that on the linear motion calculation from revolutions, you aren't concerned with diameters and circumferences, since this actually functions as a gear type of drive. The only sensible way to make this "rough" calculation is to take the number of teeth in the timing GEAR (not really a pulley) and compare that to the belt tooth pitch. Since the belt is flexible, this calculation only gives a ball park, and of course the only accurate way to extrapolate is to measure total travel over the maximum number of revolutions available in the travel, and then also to measure each revolution and any other subdivision of steps that you are willing to invest in characterizing the linearity of your machine! This type of drive is only "practical" for a cutting machine that is making cosmetic items or blanks that will need further precision machine work to be used in a machine fit machine part application.
This is great! I am currently a mechanical engineering student and when I graduate I want to get into machining too because I feel they go hand to hand in the packaging industry (the area I want to work in). I am looking into purchasing an easy item like this to get introduced to cnc equipment!
I build my own n cnc and you can fix the racking problem your having by driving both bearing on each side . Add guide pulleys inline with the bearings on the other side then with a longer belt drive both sides with a single belt.
Columbus represent! COSI is awesome on days when it's not overrun with rowdy kids that aren't being watched. They have nights that are "adults only" with themes like "puzzles" or "crime investigation" and those are great.
Cant wait for more videos. Been thinking about making a CNC for a while to learn and to use, after putting hours of research into it over the past few months to make sure I dont make a mistake with my tiny airtight student budget I stumble on to your videos where you answer questions about technical and not so technical aspects, make it on a budget and maintain a level of quality. So pumped for more. Thank-you for these and I request a quick DIY CNC lathe once this project is complete!!
it's good for laser cutting/engraving, but i'm not sure the belts are good for milling, because if the milling head get stucked, or gets too much physical resistance, the belts can snap very easily, or the milled contour will be jerky ... that's why everyone uses threaded rods with cnc routers.. they can't stuck, because of the continous pressure (they are much more expensive ofc) good work tho :)
Thanks so much for this simple "My First CNC" concept. I was thinking about the Z-axis and it occurred to me that there are two types. The usual z-axis would be analog. The tool travels through a precise range to give a third dimension with the precision of the X and Y. But this setup just isn't rigid enough to put a cutter in (right?) The second type would be digital. It's either up or down. On or off. And for that there's almost nothing complex required. On the pen setup in the video I'd add a cheap $2 servo to the pen holder and attach an arm from it to the pen (probably with a light spring for pressure). Now you can lift the pen off the page almost for free! This would work for me as I just need a blade in there to cut icing for cakes. I need knife-up and knife-down. (Though how to cut vertically without a spinning router type setup into 2mm of icing is a challenge. Any ideas?) I feel a project coming on!
Love this video, just finished my very first Cnc router, based on grbl and arduino. It can mill 47x47cm, and cost less than 100 dollars. I would never been able too put this togheter if it wasent for people på UA-cam like you. Actually it was looking at one of your videos that got me inn too it, and i think so far that its been a great Journey. So thanks again for putting your effort in the videos you make☺
+NYC CNC Hi thanks for response☺ for now i have only milled some wood pieces for the enclosure for the electronics too the Cnc, still try too learn difrent software, and fix all the "baby" issues that the machine got☺ this machine was just for test purposes, too see if i could design and make it. So next project will be too make a stronger one for aluminium. ☺ im not into any craftman ship really, i just wanted too see if i could make it ☺ looking forward for your upcomming videos☺
The play on the x axis may only be eliminated by utilising dual driving belts. Since the distance between the x linear guide rods are high whatever you do in terms of rigidity would not solve the problem. You need to transfer the motion with syncronised pair of belts one at the current position and the other one near to the other x axis guide. I build 3d printers with a similar setup (dual belts). If you like I can send some photos. Looking forward your updates on this project. Thanks for the video
Been watching you for a while now, I had a really great time watching this episode. I'm still in my noob days of CNC, I'm converting a Sieg X2 for my first CNC machine soon, so this low cost, basic and beginner friendly video really connected with me and why I'm so excited about CNC machines.
For the timing pulleys, you want to not measure their diameter. You want to take the timing belt pitch * the tooth count of the pulley so get your rotation to linear travel ratio. Probably already know that by now though lol
It has been 1 month short of a year, so I'm not terribly surprised at this. I just went through your bill of materials for the "DIY Cheap Arduino CNC Machine - complete..., Jan 6, 2015" that you recommended from eBay and got a lot of 404 errors, Page not Found. Again, I'm not terribly surprised. It does point out one thing that you might consider for the future, however, is to put enough description of the items that you are referencing that we can find them from another vendor or another source on eBay. I really didn't think that the machine would work for what I want (to cut wood) but the learning experience that you gained from it seemed worth whatever it cost. I thought that I could benefit from it as well. I have the Spark Fun Inventors Kit, that has a robot and Sparkfun's version of the Arduino and shield. That is a great learning experience as well. I want my end result to be a 2' x 3' 2.5-axis cnc router. I really like your videos. I just recently subscribed. Often the instructions on youtube are long and drawn-out, but yours are very concise, you don't say Um, Er, Ah, between every word, well articulated, and it appears that you actually enjoy what you are explaining. The enthusiasm is contagious. Very well done.
This is the first video i watch in your series, but gosh - You are my new hero, for explaining in an easy way... I will keep track of you in the future..... THX a lot..
Hi John You could very easily add a small RC Servo or even a little Solenoid to the top of the pen that would lift the pen off of the paper during rapid travels. Great video. Willy
Awesome, I plan to make a small CNC from parts salvage from old printers- take motors and 3d print all supports and to install 1.6w laser on it, so it will burn a contour on ply. It can be used in modelling. I know how to program controllers- made stepper motor driver, but don't know how to sync it with that software yet
A massive thank you John for all the hardwork and inspiration. I'm new to DIY CNC and I'm planning to build a CNC Plasma table with a 1200mm x 1200mm work area. These videos have been a huge help and I've just watched this one for the 3rd time, while configuring my Arduino Uno with a CNC Shield V3.0 and 4 Nema 24 motors. I'm also hoping to document the entire process for other noobs like me who have littled to no experience. Should be a good ride I hope :)
I'm back again bro.. I watched another video from another content creator with this subject and he went deep into the electronics side of things which is so hard to find others doing the same. Most ppl gloss over the electronics but what they don't realise is this is the part most of us newbies really struggle with and would very much appreciate u guys help out her with some indepth videos on the set up and wiring and not just show a diagram and sdpeed up the video to 25X's normal speed.. LMAO.. I hope u don't take my comment the wrong way my dude but it needs to be said now and again
This was great, I really appreciate the sources where you get this stuff. Also, your enthusiasm is infectious, now I want a CNC mill and I don't know why.
Amazing! You're the best! After watching countless hours of videos on UA-cam about DYI CNC and how to get it to work, I still had some questions, and you cover it all in an easy understandable way! The SW/HW calibration was driving me nuts because I didn't see anything about it! Thank you! And keep it up!
Hi. A suggestion for a video related to the subject of DIY CNC. A video on linear rail alignment techniques. Making them parallel, making them flat (I've been reading a fair bit about bedding on epoxy for this) e.t.c., making sure to axis are perpendicular. Thanks for the videos you have done. Good to learn stuff of off someone who has a similar approach to myself.
I really like that you put parts and other things as links in the description it is something that will keep me coming back to watch your videos because it can be very helpful. thanks!
John, If you use the Pitch Diameter of 0.402" for the 16T timing belt pulley instead of 0.375" OD, you might get a better calculation for the movement.
John, Using the 16T GT2 style pulley, I went to Stock Drive Products website and looked up the specs for that size pulley. Just like using gears, you need the pitch diameter when making calculations.
+NYC CNC You should use the teeth count on the pulley instead of using Pi. with a 16 teeth pulley, your belt can do nothing else than move 32mm per turn. 32/200 = 0.16 mm/ full step. (Hey! A round number!).
To simplify Xaxis accuracy... dual the drivetrain. Yaxis seems very compact.. all good. Zaxis and Raxis and Baxis are missing components, not shown herein.
The vibration in the S was probably due to the feed rate being high, on my machines our settings are set to run at 50% Feedrate for curves and corners.
man i have to say it, that was a pretty good video, what you just did will inspire other like me to change this world, I also worked with KUKAs , Chirones, Pumas, and my favorite, trumpf laser, few years ago and I know what it feels to work with those machines or just watch them work and then build something like that. good job man
I noticed the two end blocks that support movement of the the carriage are only connected by the slide rails. Shouldn't the end blocks be connected by a heavy plate of some sort to assure they maintain correct alignment and uniform height to the overhead carriage. But then I remembered he said he hadn't cut off the rails yet so the footprint was still undefined.
possibly some of the inaccuracy is due to preload on the indicator. What you are doing is awesome and I am working on it myself because of you, just wanted to give my 2 cents. Thank you for this!
Watching you do this makes me want to change jobs -- I work in software but I so want to build machines like this. Very inspirational! I bet you could use this as an engraver -- have it do the ipsic cardboard lines on your targets to save tormach time... another machine in the production line.
cool stuff, I working on a CNC welding machine (3 axle) this is how I thought it should run, in the coming weeks I want to build a little demo version. Great inspiring video's
Somehow I missed this episode. Hmm....mustve gone by my feed fast. I try to watch every new episode. Oh well. Im here now. Very interested in this stuff. Ive wanted to do this for quite a while. Its time.
I don't know much about CNCs but with RAMPS 1.4 you should be able to the whole thing effortlessly. If you use RAMPS then you should also be able to use something like Repetier host or Ponterface to do the movements.
Should build a lathe, milling machine, 3D printer now. lol. lathe and mill might be different build. But it would still be nice to see a small scale model for garage building based on CNC. Great work !. Im inspired to build one now.
because of your videos i just bought a 3 axis 3040. if i told you what i got it for youd never believe it in a million years. but at the end of the build it will be a 5 axis for just about $250. well maybe 300 ill have to purchase a 5 axis controller. i have been 3d modeling since 1991 so that part of fusion 360 was easy but learning the ins and outs of g code is the next step
I have wanted to build something similar for my self but have felt that the price and knowledge step has been to great. Looking forward to the follow ups and it is itching in my fingers to buy those parts.
cheaper and just as good without any chance of misalignment between the motors would be to use a pulley system with some braided fishing line like a drafting table to keep it all parallel.
it will move how you program it all errors you get is your x axis wobble. you not even loose steps if you go that slow and if planning laser engraver without cutting forces it will be acurate
Your belt tensioner (The Screw) works great for the X&Y Axis. I can use that... very simple solution :-) In my 3D printer (a totally different design) I need an Idler Bearing on my Z Axis, as the belt on the Z Axis continuously Loops... It doesn't work like the X&Y... Thought I'd mention that. If you can visualize a remote Z Axis drive motor, with a belt drive, then you'll understand... Oh! One other little thing... As a Machinist, you know that Aluminum and Steel react. Does it not bother you to know that the reaction is going to cause a loosening, over time? My 3D Printer is made entirely from Steel, so to avoid that reaction. It's much heavier than an Aluminum setup, but it's cheaper to build and will last forever... One last thing... Stepper Motors have the Magnets inside, which create the Steps... Those magnets are what cause the Jerking in the movement... One of the benefits of Servo Motors over Steppers is, Servos do not have any magnets, like steppers. They are essentially simple DC, brushless motors and spin freely... No compensation for the jerky magnets, is necessary... Anyway, Thanks for sharing this video, it's Awesome, as usual :-)
I am working on my own CNC Arduino project. Right now I am collecting parts for a CNC router to help me build model boat frames and pieces. I have 5 Nema 17 stepper motors, an Arduino Uno, CNC Shield V3.0, micro switches for the limit switches, and at the end of my project I want either a LCD interface or have my Raspberry Pi run the whole thing. Oh yea the cutting head is a dremel tool. Im looking to have a 12x12" work area. I have not decided yet on the drive type such as using a moving table or a setup like this. My main material is going to be hobby grade plywood and other woods like Bass or birch. I would love to have access to a lathe and mill but that is not in my cards any more.
Well I have enough parts to start playing with the electronics and getting all the motors working. I need to learn the G-code and how to get everything all set up right. When I can find some spare time I will get busy with it!!
Be careful when you move the head around quickly by hand (you should demo doing it slower) -- the steppers actually generate a lot of current and you could burn out your shield.
Dear NYC CNC, FIrst of all, I cant thank enough for what you have been sharing to us. I am a mechanical guy from Vietnam! I very much enjoyed your online course even some are sold out! I kindly have one question for you (or anybody here). I am trying to host some online courses (virtual classroom for 6 students average) and trying to use BLACKBOARD but I dont know how I can purchase it even spending the whole day at their offical web! I know NYC CNC are using blackboard training courses! Please share if you guys know about this! Thank you a lot!
I would have used threaded rods instead as the problem compared to printers for a cnc is that it may disturbe the motors when as for example engraving due to non linear movement in directions of the drillbits. Thats why a nema 23 wich has more holding torque does the job a bit better, the 17 can do it very well but they dont have the mass in the shafts to even out lets say vibrations, bumps etc
You are a smart man.. I have no experience whatsoever but have great interest in learning . I have a home project I am wanting to accomplish. Not wanting to depend on a machine shop but would love to learn from ground zero.. building the cnc machine and learn programming gcode
Add a solid state laser. Blue light and smoke will drive the STEM kids crazy! You won't need a Z axis, just switch on and off. If you want to keep it cheap and safer power can be very low, write on thermal paper. Way to go taking your time to teach our kids! Scott
This is trully fantastic, as a former machinist who recently got DBE (Deep Brain Stymulation) in other words Parkinson Surgery,I feel that I was reborn and now I am interested in doing somenthing productive. I will llike to engrave Billiard cue sticks, by looking at this machine it gives me the impressionthat I can do it. If you can send me some more infoI would appreciate.....Thank you so much! George
Trippy...I'm so lost when it comes to all of the programming aspect of industry and gadget tech that I am glad you break things down for us dinosaurs, cool video series! Aloha...Chuck
NYC CNC Yessir, that's the idea I hope with most all of you there machinists, to teach "us ignorants" what a muffler bearing is, he he! I must admit that I did enjoy being "in the know" at least with what a dial gauge and thousandth of an inch was :D
Awesome video. I've got to build this. If you have a big piece on a lathe, that needs a lot taken off, and you can program it to do this in let's say .005 increments, while you are working on something else, what a time saver, and a fun project.
Excellent video, excellent project and a good alternative to go through a DIY CNC......but what I like most is the enthusiasm given in this video presentation.
Hi John, Not exactly my cup of tea but I like the simple progressive approach, I like to learn new stuff, who knows, maybe one day I'll dream arduino. Keep on the great work, you are a pretty good teacher...! Pierre
How did you align/drill the holes in the end plates for the rods? If the holes are slightly off, the rods will not be parallel and the traveler/bearings will bind. I have seen other videos where the builder uses a precision machine to make a hobby-quality CNC or 3D printer. What techniques can we use with tools in our garages to get good parallel alignment of the rods?
first of all. I would like to thank you for sharing this .it's my favourite learning. but I'm a taxi driver. no time to do it myself. but still learning about this lesson.
Didn't see if someone already suggested thus. You're using toothed belts and pulleys? Why not measure the distance per tooth on the belt (maybe count a number of teeth, take total distance and divide to get distance per tooth). With that and the number of teeth on the drive pulley you should have a good measure of distance per motor revolution.
As usual , you have a fantastic segment on this material. It is so well explained for starters and a great refresher for those with more experience. No matter how often I see this I still am amazed with seeing CNCs control a extruder or machine bit as with remote controls .. and now we use them to control robots on mars ..go figure ! Amazing world we live
I must admit, most of this is still foreign language to me. I'm 74 years old with a high school education. I have become very interested in learning how all this stuff works. I bought an Arduino kit but then I got high centered and have not gone any further. I need to find a place where I can learn and ask questions. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you doing these videos. I only wish I could absorb the information as fast as you talk. I will be going back and re-watching them all. I also need to get the stuff to build some of what you have shown. I got interested because I want to build some sort of CNC woodworking machines. Thanks again and please keep up the great work.
John, Great video! Not only am I interested in virtually 99% of the content of your videos, your enthusiasm is very contagious! Machining, Tormach, CNC, Arduinos, control... I love it all, and your presentation style is perfect for us home shop machinists and tinkerers.
I see 100K in your near future John. Good luck and keep it up!
To those reading this who are new to the NYC CNC Channel; I've been watching John's videos for several years. You owe it to yourself to see where he began in a small apartment in New York City. I suggest that you go back and watch all of his previous videos to really understand how he became what you see in his current videos from Ohio. As a simple home shop kind of guy with many of the same interests as John, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching his growth and learning. In the process I have learned much more than I ever thought possible. But hold on, it's quite a fun ride!
Disclaimer: I have never met or spoken to John personally. I just admire what he's accomplished and demonstrated what is possible.
Am building a pen plotter, I already bought the steppers, dude you are my hero, it's a blessing I followed your channel even before I started thinking about building a cnc.
a common fix for the racking is to drive that axis on both side of the gantry, either with two stepper or a single stepper and a drive shaft at each end
I have a professional flatboard CNC-Cutter at home. To fix the vibrations of your pen you need to build a toolholder that push your pencil to the drawing surface. If you you need fine-adjustment, just add a tension-screw to the top of the springholder. And if you replace the marker for a ballpoint pen you will get even better results, maybe already without spring.
If you want to continue on building a drawing machine, you can lift your pen with an electromagnet that pushs up the flexible part of the pen (under the spring).
I just woke up and watched this with my first brew of the day and even in my John Hurt waking up in Alien state I could follow all of this. Beautifully explained John and your enthusiasm is infectious!
I haven't ever in my life scene someone so stoked about CNC machines Great video thank you !
I work as a software engineer, but mechatronics has always fascinated me. I started hobby electronics a while back, now I'm working on stepper motors. I just took apart my old printer and salvaged quite a bit of hardware :) I'm going to create a candy machine and use the printer / scanner body :D
If there is one video out there that can convince someone that it is not hard to build a cnc for hobby use, it is this one. I like the fact that the cost of the individual parts is spelled out - as well as the limitations one has with these parts.
Your videos are awesome man. A viewer can really follow along and learn as you show and teach your concepts. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Thanks so much for making them. Hats off to you.
i see a lot of passion in your videos , i am sure yo already contribute a lot to Human Kind.
your videos and techniques helped me as inputs for lot of my work.
Thanks a lot
thank you John! your friends from Yachiyo here.. i have been interested in Audrino for years but never broke the ice and bought one. But after this video im doing it! lol
That is a great project! I retired a year ago after 40 years with GE as a Tool and Die Maker. I am getting started with Arduino and plan to use them for projects in my work shop. That machine you built may be on my list of things to work on. Keep up the good work and thanks for the video!
one of the coolest arduino projects i've seen. Actually doing something with it that I can't do with discreet electronics.
I couldn't count the number of times I said to myself (out loud), "This is awesome. This is sooo awesome." Thank you AGAIN for posting a continuation video on this subject. Thanks for walking through the g-code as well. That cleared up so many questions I had. I'm going to check out your site right now. I feel like I just have to buy something from you or if you have a donation arrangement, send you something so you can continue these projects. You've done such an excellent job providing content and helping me learn it's the least I can do!
NYC CNC Hi John, thanks again for always replying! I really wish I could make it to the open house. I'm in Michigan, North of Detroit and only but about 5 hours away. Since I can't make it though due to scheduling to the open house, I'd like to maybe help out in some way. I'll shoot you an email with what I had in mind. :)
With pulleys using a timing belt or linear motion belt (looks like G2 belt), do not calculate the travel by the pulley OD times pi, you get whatever you want as a result. Just check the tooth pitch of your belt and multiply by the tooth count of your pulley. Your machine would have 16 teeth pulleys and GT2 belt which has 2 mm pitch, so 16 * 2 mm = 32 mm per revolution of the stepper.
I'm building something similar in my mechanical engineering class (as a additional project) but I'm so into this kind of stuff, that I'm definetly going to build another CNC Machine at home.
I went to COSI also! I saw the same robotic arm there. I also saw several of the 3D printers a few years ago project and built a reprap (or two). We do live in a fantastic age! Thanks!
One easy way to solve the rigidity in the x axis would be to add another belt to the back rail on two idlers. Connect the two belts with another shorter belt on the left side between the existing idlers. This will keep extra radial load off the shaft of the stepper and should firm up the back end of the assembly.
I know this is five years old but it's timely for me as I build a CNC plasma cutter using Arduino and GRBL. Thanks John!
Can you please share how you did it ?
I'm a welder but have a deep interest in building my own machines. This is a great resource! Thank you ver y much for the information you provide!!!
Starting to plan out how I'm going to build one of these for personal projects. Thanks for the videos!
It's funny you mention COSI because I live in Columbus and can see the COSI building right now through the window at work!
I'm a boilermaker and I have allways been interested in CNC ,your right that this is an awesome era to be able to do this but it looks a bit over my head,great video,good job man.
Its really great how you show your thought process and testing your calculations on the machine against the spreadsheet
rewatching this series of vids now that i finally built my first cnc machine. you are the reason im here today well you and this old tony
You should ask him on a date
05:18 teleporting fly (yes i realize the video was cut)
haha just saw that. i was sure someone would have noticed that too.
good eye thats funny
@@Q5Grafx whoah 4 years later
Loved your video. I would offer a tip for working with belts. Just multiply the number of teeth by the pitch. If you are using a MXL belt (.080 pitch) and a 20 tooth pulley you will move your axis .08 X 20 = 1.600 inches in one revolution.
Whoa! I used to volunteer at the old COSI! I remember that very machine!!!! So awesome!
Great work bro, I am a final year mechanical student, when I was in my first year I used to think that I will make such type of machine but our education is very poor student goes to collage just to complete the engineering graduation, and they do not know any think, including me, but we can't do any thing, hope I will be making this type of machine in future, definitely inspiring video,thank you
Thanks for posting this and detailing your work like this. There is a LOT of great info here. I just want to point out that on the linear motion calculation from revolutions, you aren't concerned with diameters and circumferences, since this actually functions as a gear type of drive. The only sensible way to make this "rough" calculation is to take the number of teeth in the timing GEAR (not really a pulley) and compare that to the belt tooth pitch. Since the belt is flexible, this calculation only gives a ball park, and of course the only accurate way to extrapolate is to measure total travel over the maximum number of revolutions available in the travel, and then also to measure each revolution and any other subdivision of steps that you are willing to invest in characterizing the linearity of your machine! This type of drive is only "practical" for a cutting machine that is making cosmetic items or blanks that will need further precision machine work to be used in a machine fit machine part application.
This is great! I am currently a mechanical engineering student and when I graduate I want to get into machining too because I feel they go hand to hand in the packaging industry (the area I want to work in). I am looking into purchasing an easy item like this to get introduced to cnc equipment!
I build my own n cnc and you can fix the racking problem your having by driving both bearing on each side . Add guide pulleys inline with the bearings on the other side then with a longer belt drive both sides with a single belt.
Columbus represent! COSI is awesome on days when it's not overrun with rowdy kids that aren't being watched. They have nights that are "adults only" with themes like "puzzles" or "crime investigation" and those are great.
pillow block, driveshaft and another belt will increase the accuracy with less moving weight than an additional set of linear bearing blocks
Cant wait for more videos. Been thinking about making a CNC for a while to learn and to use, after putting hours of research into it over the past few months to make sure I dont make a mistake with my tiny airtight student budget I stumble on to your videos where you answer questions about technical and not so technical aspects, make it on a budget and maintain a level of quality. So pumped for more.
Thank-you for these and I request a quick DIY CNC lathe once this project is complete!!
it's good for laser cutting/engraving, but i'm not sure the belts are good for milling, because if the milling head get stucked, or gets too much physical resistance, the belts can snap very easily, or the milled contour will be jerky ... that's why everyone uses threaded rods with cnc routers.. they can't stuck, because of the continous pressure (they are much more expensive ofc) good work tho :)
Thanks so much for this simple "My First CNC" concept.
I was thinking about the Z-axis and it occurred to me that there are two types.
The usual z-axis would be analog. The tool travels through a precise range to give a third dimension with the precision of the X and Y. But this setup just isn't rigid enough to put a cutter in (right?)
The second type would be digital. It's either up or down. On or off. And for that there's almost nothing complex required. On the pen setup in the video I'd add a cheap $2 servo to the pen holder and attach an arm from it to the pen (probably with a light spring for pressure). Now you can lift the pen off the page almost for free!
This would work for me as I just need a blade in there to cut icing for cakes. I need knife-up and knife-down. (Though how to cut vertically without a spinning router type setup into 2mm of icing is a challenge. Any ideas?)
I feel a project coming on!
Love this video, just finished my very first Cnc router, based on grbl and arduino. It can mill 47x47cm, and cost less than 100 dollars. I would never been able too put this togheter if it wasent for people på UA-cam like you. Actually it was looking at one of your videos that got me inn too it, and i think so far that its been a great Journey. So thanks again for putting your effort in the videos you make☺
+NYC CNC Hi thanks for response☺ for now i have only milled some wood pieces for the enclosure for the electronics too the Cnc, still try too learn difrent software, and fix all the "baby" issues that the machine got☺ this machine was just for test purposes, too see if i could design and make it. So next project will be too make a stronger one for aluminium. ☺ im not into any craftman ship really, i just wanted too see if i could make it ☺ looking forward for your upcomming videos☺
Breath of fresh air that video.....Just simply brilliant! Can't wait to get my kids into this. Hope they'll thank me someday.....Thank you NYC CNC
The play on the x axis may only be eliminated by utilising dual driving belts. Since the distance between the x linear guide rods are high whatever you do in terms of rigidity would not solve the problem.
You need to transfer the motion with syncronised pair of belts one at the current position and the other one near to the other x axis guide.
I build 3d printers with a similar setup (dual belts). If you like I can send some photos.
Looking forward your updates on this project.
Thanks for the video
Been watching you for a while now, I had a really great time watching this episode. I'm still in my noob days of CNC, I'm converting a Sieg X2 for my first CNC machine soon, so this low cost, basic and beginner friendly video really connected with me and why I'm so excited about CNC machines.
For the timing pulleys, you want to not measure their diameter. You want to take the timing belt pitch * the tooth count of the pulley so get your rotation to linear travel ratio.
Probably already know that by now though lol
It has been 1 month short of a year, so I'm not terribly surprised at this. I just went through your bill of materials for the "DIY Cheap Arduino CNC Machine - complete..., Jan 6, 2015" that you recommended from eBay and got a lot of 404 errors, Page not Found. Again, I'm not terribly surprised. It does point out one thing that you might consider for the future, however, is to put enough description of the items that you are referencing that we can find them from another vendor or another source on eBay. I really didn't think that the machine would work for what I want (to cut wood) but the learning experience that you gained from it seemed worth whatever it cost. I thought that I could benefit from it as well. I have the Spark Fun Inventors Kit, that has a robot and Sparkfun's version of the Arduino and shield. That is a great learning experience as well. I want my end result to be a 2' x 3' 2.5-axis cnc router.
I really like your videos. I just recently subscribed. Often the instructions on youtube are long and drawn-out, but yours are very concise, you don't say Um, Er, Ah, between every word, well articulated, and it appears that you actually enjoy what you are explaining. The enthusiasm is contagious. Very well done.
+NYC CNC Thank you for updating that! That was kind of you.
This is the first video i watch in your series, but gosh - You are my new hero, for explaining in an easy way... I will keep track of you in the future..... THX a lot..
I will, for sure! :-D
Amazingly simple yet powerful machine to enter I'm to the world of CNC machining .
Best tube video I have seen in a long time. Meat, not sizzle.
Hi John
You could very easily add a small RC Servo or even a little Solenoid to the top of the pen that would lift the pen off of the paper during rapid travels. Great video.
Willy
Watched the whole thing, and it did not feel like a 24 minute video. Awesome job!
Awesome, I plan to make a small CNC from parts salvage from old printers- take motors and 3d print all supports and to install 1.6w laser on it, so it will burn a contour on ply. It can be used in modelling. I know how to program controllers- made stepper motor driver, but don't know how to sync it with that software yet
A massive thank you John for all the hardwork and inspiration. I'm new to DIY CNC and I'm planning to build a CNC Plasma table with a 1200mm x 1200mm work area. These videos have been a huge help and I've just watched this one for the 3rd time, while configuring my Arduino Uno with a CNC Shield V3.0 and 4 Nema 24 motors.
I'm also hoping to document the entire process for other noobs like me who have littled to no experience. Should be a good ride I hope :)
I'm back again bro.. I watched another video from another content creator with this subject and he went deep into the electronics side of things which is so hard to find others doing the same. Most ppl gloss over the electronics but what they don't realise is this is the part most of us newbies really struggle with and would very much appreciate u guys help out her with some indepth videos on the set up and wiring and not just show a diagram and sdpeed up the video to 25X's normal speed.. LMAO.. I hope u don't take my comment the wrong way my dude but it needs to be said now and again
these kind of things that makes an engineer breath... awesome!!!!
Then you should go to a machine shop and see the real McCoy. These are just toys.
Then you go to a Machine Shop and see a load of over-specified, expensive scrap metal, churning-out more scrap metal.
Aren't YOU fun.
This was great, I really appreciate the sources where you get this stuff. Also, your enthusiasm is infectious, now I want a CNC mill and I don't know why.
+Mike Davis
i've wanted one for years.
i just need a small lathe and a small mill. and i'll make the rest
+NYC CNC I appreciate the sources too. Sourcing can be a real hassle.
Amazing! You're the best! After watching countless hours of videos on UA-cam about DYI CNC and how to get it to work, I still had some questions, and you cover it all in an easy understandable way! The SW/HW calibration was driving me nuts because I didn't see anything about it! Thank you! And keep it up!
Hi. A suggestion for a video related to the subject of DIY CNC. A video on linear rail alignment techniques. Making them parallel, making them flat (I've been reading a fair bit about bedding on epoxy for this) e.t.c., making sure to axis are perpendicular. Thanks for the videos you have done. Good to learn stuff of off someone who has a similar approach to myself.
I really like that you put parts and other things as links in the description it is something that will keep me coming back to watch your videos because it can be very helpful. thanks!
love the simplicity of that belt tensioner
John,
If you use the Pitch Diameter of 0.402" for the 16T timing belt pulley instead of 0.375" OD, you might get a better calculation for the movement.
John,
Using the 16T GT2 style pulley, I went to Stock Drive Products website and looked up the specs for that size pulley. Just like using gears, you need the pitch diameter when making calculations.
+NYC CNC You should use the teeth count on the pulley instead of using Pi. with a 16 teeth pulley, your belt can do nothing else than move 32mm per turn. 32/200 = 0.16 mm/ full step. (Hey! A round number!).
To simplify Xaxis accuracy... dual the drivetrain.
Yaxis seems very compact.. all good.
Zaxis and Raxis and Baxis are missing components, not shown herein.
The vibration in the S was probably due to the feed rate being high, on my machines our settings are set to run at 50% Feedrate for curves and corners.
man i have to say it, that was a pretty good video, what you just did will inspire other like me to change this world, I also worked with KUKAs , Chirones, Pumas, and my favorite, trumpf laser, few years ago and I know what it feels to work with those machines or just watch them work and then build something like that.
good job man
I noticed the two end blocks that support movement of the the carriage are only connected by the slide rails. Shouldn't the end blocks be connected by a heavy plate of some sort to assure they maintain correct alignment and uniform height to the overhead carriage.
But then I remembered he said he hadn't cut off the rails yet so the footprint was still undefined.
possibly some of the inaccuracy is due to preload on the indicator. What you are doing is awesome and I am working on it myself because of you, just wanted to give my 2 cents. Thank you for this!
Watching you do this makes me want to change jobs -- I work in software but I so want to build machines like this. Very inspirational! I bet you could use this as an engraver -- have it do the ipsic cardboard lines on your targets to save tormach time... another machine in the production line.
NYC CNC Great minds... :)
You software guys make good money. You should pick up a CNC kit and start tinkering.
cool stuff, I working on a CNC welding machine (3 axle) this is how I thought it should run, in the coming weeks I want to build a little demo version. Great inspiring video's
Somehow I missed this episode. Hmm....mustve gone by my feed fast. I try to watch every new episode. Oh well. Im here now. Very interested in this stuff. Ive wanted to do this for quite a while. Its time.
I don't know much about CNCs but with RAMPS 1.4 you should be able to the whole thing effortlessly. If you use RAMPS then you should also be able to use something like Repetier host or Ponterface to do the movements.
So can I use a RAMPS 1.4 to control a CNC with a lot less effort than the GRBL shield? What major differences in setup would there be?
Should build a lathe, milling machine, 3D printer now. lol. lathe and mill might be different build. But it would still be nice to see a small scale model for garage building based on CNC.
Great work !. Im inspired to build one now.
If you keep moving those axis while it's connected to the shield you'll backfeed into the drivers... could be bad....
because of your videos i just bought a 3 axis 3040. if i told you what i got it for youd never believe it in a million years. but at the end of the build it will be a 5 axis for just about $250. well maybe 300 ill have to purchase a 5 axis controller. i have been 3d modeling since 1991 so that part of fusion 360 was easy but learning the ins and outs of g code is the next step
I have wanted to build something similar for my self but have felt that the price and knowledge step has been to great. Looking forward to the follow ups and it is itching in my fingers to buy those parts.
You could also put another stepper/belt on the X axis and wire the motors in parallel.
cheaper and just as good without any chance of misalignment between the motors would be to use a pulley system with some braided fishing line like a drafting table to keep it all parallel.
it will move how you program it all errors you get is your x axis wobble. you not even loose steps if you go that slow and if planning laser engraver without cutting forces it will be acurate
Your belt tensioner (The Screw) works great for the X&Y Axis. I can use that... very simple solution :-) In my 3D printer (a totally different design) I need an Idler Bearing on my Z Axis, as the belt on the Z Axis continuously Loops... It doesn't work like the X&Y... Thought I'd mention that.
If you can visualize a remote Z Axis drive motor, with a belt drive, then you'll understand...
Oh! One other little thing... As a Machinist, you know that Aluminum and Steel react. Does it not bother you to know that the reaction is going to cause a loosening, over time? My 3D Printer is made entirely from Steel, so to avoid that reaction. It's much heavier than an Aluminum setup, but it's cheaper to build and will last forever...
One last thing... Stepper Motors have the Magnets inside, which create the Steps... Those magnets are what cause the Jerking in the movement... One of the benefits of Servo Motors over Steppers is, Servos do not have any magnets, like steppers. They are essentially simple DC, brushless motors and spin freely... No compensation for the jerky magnets, is necessary...
Anyway, Thanks for sharing this video, it's Awesome, as usual :-)
This would make for a perfect acryllic laser pattern cutter. Love your channelJohn.
This stuff is so cool. I have worked with Fanuc robots, program, touch up using T/P teach pendant programming. Not with it any more and I miss it.
I am working on my own CNC Arduino project. Right now I am collecting parts for a CNC router to help me build model boat frames and pieces. I have 5 Nema 17 stepper motors, an Arduino Uno, CNC Shield V3.0, micro switches for the limit switches, and at the end of my project I want either a LCD interface or have my Raspberry Pi run the whole thing. Oh yea the cutting head is a dremel tool. Im looking to have a 12x12" work area. I have not decided yet on the drive type such as using a moving table or a setup like this. My main material is going to be hobby grade plywood and other woods like Bass or birch. I would love to have access to a lathe and mill but that is not in my cards any more.
Nice one! On the side of low cost, I've found some pretty cheap ball screws at www.cobaltlinear.com
Well I have enough parts to start playing with the electronics and getting all the motors working. I need to learn the G-code and how to get everything all set up right. When I can find some spare time I will get busy with it!!
Be careful when you move the head around quickly by hand (you should demo doing it slower) -- the steppers actually generate a lot of current and you could burn out your shield.
Dear NYC CNC,
FIrst of all, I cant thank enough for what you have been sharing to us. I am a mechanical guy from Vietnam! I very much enjoyed your online course even some are sold out!
I kindly have one question for you (or anybody here). I am trying to host some online courses (virtual classroom for 6 students average) and trying to use BLACKBOARD but I dont know how I can purchase it even spending the whole day at their offical web! I know NYC CNC are using blackboard training courses! Please share if you guys know about this!
Thank you a lot!
I would have used threaded rods instead as the problem compared to printers for a cnc is that it may disturbe the motors when as for example engraving due to non linear movement in directions of the drillbits. Thats why a nema 23 wich has more holding torque does the job a bit better, the 17 can do it very well but they dont have the mass in the shafts to even out lets say vibrations, bumps etc
Wow. You have just changed everything for me. Flights are affordable from San Francisco. Thank you. Wow. I hope to make your Open House!
I haven't watched such video that including patient and detailed introduction to cnc machines.Thank you!
You are a smart man.. I have no experience whatsoever but have great interest in learning . I have a home project I am wanting to accomplish. Not wanting to depend on a machine shop but would love to learn from ground zero.. building the cnc machine and learn programming gcode
First CNC DYI video that is right on the mark. THANKS
Thanks for showing the calibration, excel spreadsheet, etc.!
Add a solid state laser. Blue light and smoke will drive the STEM kids crazy! You won't need a Z axis, just switch on and off.
If you want to keep it cheap and safer power can be very low, write on thermal paper.
Way to go taking your time to teach our kids!
Scott
Since there is some play in the system, will it be accurate enough for photo and even cad drawing engravings?
This is trully fantastic, as a former machinist who recently got DBE (Deep Brain Stymulation) in other words Parkinson Surgery,I feel that I was reborn and now I am interested in doing somenthing productive.
I will llike to engrave Billiard cue sticks, by looking at this machine it gives me the impressionthat I can do it.
If you can send me some more infoI would appreciate.....Thank you so much! George
From where I get full details of this? Great video indeed,really appreciate it
Trippy...I'm so lost when it comes to all of the programming aspect of industry and gadget tech that I am glad you break things down for us dinosaurs, cool video series!
Aloha...Chuck
NYC CNC
Yessir, that's the idea I hope with most all of you there machinists, to teach "us ignorants" what a muffler bearing is, he he!
I must admit that I did enjoy being "in the know" at least with what a dial gauge and thousandth of an inch was :D
Awesome video. I've got to build this. If you have a big piece on a lathe, that needs a lot taken off, and you can program it to do this in let's say .005 increments, while you are working on something else, what a time saver, and a fun project.
Excellent video, excellent project and a good alternative to go through a DIY CNC......but what I like most is the enthusiasm given in this video presentation.
Nice,
Keep the faith my friend , your doing great work and I appreciate all I'm getting from your videos, Billy
Hi John,
Not exactly my cup of tea but I like the simple progressive approach, I like to learn new stuff, who knows, maybe one day I'll dream arduino.
Keep on the great work, you are a pretty good teacher...!
Pierre
For the price, damn sweet build. If i ever have a kid, he's gonna have so many fun toys to mess around/learn with haha
Your enthusiasm is contagious.
How did you align/drill the holes in the end plates for the rods? If the holes are slightly off, the rods will not be parallel and the traveler/bearings will bind. I have seen other videos where the builder uses a precision machine to make a hobby-quality CNC or 3D printer. What techniques can we use with tools in our garages to get good parallel alignment of the rods?
first of all. I would like to thank you for sharing this .it's my favourite learning. but I'm a taxi driver. no time to do it myself. but still learning about this lesson.
Didn't see if someone already suggested thus. You're using toothed belts and pulleys? Why not measure the distance per tooth on the belt (maybe count a number of teeth, take total distance and divide to get distance per tooth). With that and the number of teeth on the drive pulley you should have a good measure of distance per motor revolution.
i liked it before watching it because everyone deserves credit for hard work reguardless if built upon other work...good job...watching now!
As usual , you have a fantastic segment on this material. It is so well explained for starters and a great refresher for those with more experience. No matter how often I see this I still am amazed with seeing CNCs control a extruder or machine bit as with remote controls .. and now we use them to control robots on mars ..go figure ! Amazing world we live