This is a TERRIBLE cnc machine. The only constraint on the gantry in the direction of the long slide are two sheets of 1/4" mdf. It's going to wobble terribly. Seriously, there are much better machines available at even lower prices, most notably http://makeyourbot.org/mantis9-1 which doesn't even need lasercut parts, only a saw and a drill.
@kliment: I'd love to see a better machine at a lower price than $300. Seriously.
I've spend the last 6 years trying to create one and if it ends up there is already one out there, I'm going to feel like a real fool.
You'd be surprised, it doesn't wobble terrible. In fact, it doesn't really wobble at all. There are 2 cross pieces in the back of the Y-axis at the top (one vertical, one horizontal) and then a full box under the work area which is tied in to each of the x-axis uprights in both the front and the back.
If you have a suggestion to make that particular section even more ridged, I'm all ears. Not having an engineering background, I'm always interested in other peoples ideas! After all, I just made this up :-)
I wonder if it can cut high carbon steels. It looks like it uses a Dremel-style tool. I guess it might work on annealed steel if you can slow the movements way, way down and maybe applied some cutting fluid.
Not a chance. It can only cut things less hard than the wood panels that keep it together. Anything harder and vibration is going to destroy your workpiece.
[+] [-] Kliment|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] edwardrford|14 years ago|reply
I've spend the last 6 years trying to create one and if it ends up there is already one out there, I'm going to feel like a real fool.
You'd be surprised, it doesn't wobble terrible. In fact, it doesn't really wobble at all. There are 2 cross pieces in the back of the Y-axis at the top (one vertical, one horizontal) and then a full box under the work area which is tied in to each of the x-axis uprights in both the front and the back.
You can see some assembly pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwardford/sets/721576228624053...
You can see some more pictures here (these include the full box under the work surface): http://keen101.wordpress.com/2011/03/03/progress-on-shapeoko...
If you have a suggestion to make that particular section even more ridged, I'm all ears. Not having an engineering background, I'm always interested in other peoples ideas! After all, I just made this up :-)
[+] [-] gbeeson|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] unknown|14 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] gaustin|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Kliment|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] eurohacker|14 years ago|reply