Project Progress Status

Proceedings in CNC Milling Machine Development

In this page you find all the updated references around the project. Some portions are explained and described in the knowledge base while other parts (i.e. powering section and motors controller) are subprojects that you find in their own areas.

The modular project XYZ Stepper (that lives also in several threads of the Arduino Forum) is constantly updated in this main index page. In the project directory you find also news related to updates that interest or are related to the CNC Machine evolution.

The Power Unit

Sliding planes of every axis are moved by a stepper motor that needs a power supply of 4.5 or 5V and a current of 1.2A (2A pitch). In addition, there is the DC motor on the Z sliding plane as the tool unit that work at a variable rate between 5V and 12V and a current of 1.5A. Then there is the Arduino board (a clone developed by Oak Micros) that is powere by the USB connection.

The CNC controller board is powered by and ATX Power Supply compatible with ATX12V Design Guide and Specification. The ATX Power Supply is logically controlled by a digital switch unit that is the ATX Power project. All informations and documentation can be found here.

You can buy ATX Power fully assembled, construction kit or PCB only.

Possible evolutions

While Arduino board (attached to the controller) is powered by the USB cable is possible to manage the logic power circuit directly with Arduino thus all the electronic circuitry should be controlled by the software, including the powering of the CNC controller and motors.

Images in progress

If you want to see the actual development state of the project, show the XYZ Stepper Images Gallery, periodically updated with new photos and images.

The Structure Design Key

After some prototypes and a first wooden version to test the adopted mechanics solutions and the stepper motors the structure design was detailed and updated to its version 2.2

The resulting 19 tables are described in the knowledge base with an introductory document describing the adopted conventions and specifications.

These tables refers to all the parts compounding the aluminium structure model, starting from metal surfaces of 1, 2 and 10 mm thickness. The parts are the components built for the actually working prototype: analyzing its behaviour I saw that some other modifications can further improve the machine, and I am working on. these changes Periodically the knowledge base area should be updated with chapters describing the new solutions.

Download pdf or buy DXF for 2€!

All the tables toghether can be downloaded in pdf format. If you like this project, share it and participate with ideas and comments. Users can also support the project - and independently work on the design parts too! - buying the DXF package of the pars at the symbolic price of 2€