Build a DIY 3-Axis CNC Mill
A precision plotting and cutting instrument like a CNC machine is a dream for any DIYer. It’s perfect for any fabrication jobs – For example, you can etch a plaque or make a PCB by cuting along the traces of a schematic. While a store bought CNC mill will set you back by a few thousand dollars, you can build a simple CNC mill for as low as $100, but the one above is $700.
The DIY ‘LIL’ CNC project is a heavy duty piece of hardware. This is a 3-axis CNC mill that has a gantry-mounted cutting tool movible in 3 planes. The brain is in the CAD/CAM software in the computer that controls the movement of the cutting tool.
How Easy is it to Build?
You need basic shop skills and tools, but it definitely can be done. The cost indicated covers the raw materials like sheet metal and component hardware. The difficult part of the plans and the software files has been covered by the DIY LIL CNC website. The assembly instructions and the source files are provided free for use under a creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike license. The gallery illustrates the working of the machine. See a plot test video here.
More DIY CNC Projects:
July 17th, 2011
We’re getting ready to release a second, improved generation of the design and assembly instructions for the DIYLILCNC. We’re doing some
fundraising right now via kickstarter to offset our R&D costs.
We’ve got some pretty fun rewards for contributors… donors can have a part of the new machine named after them, or use their contributions to vote for specific design changes they’d like to see in version 2.
Check it out here:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/chrisreilly/diylilcnc-20-open-source-plans-for-a-low-cost-cnc
Thanks!