Well I newly got interested in CNC and thought I give it a go,I also found out I can put my Engineering skills into play and build my own to do waht i want.Just before we go any further it would be good to go through the history of the CNC.
CNC or "computer numerical controlled" machines are sophisticated metalworking tools that can create complicated parts required by modern technology. Growing rapidly with the advances in computers, CNCs can be found performing work as lathes, milling machines, laser cutters, abrasive jet cutters, punch presses, press brakes, and other industrial tools. The CNC term refers to a large group of these machines that utilize computer logic to control movements and perform the metalworking. This article will discuss the most common types: lathes and milling machines.

History
Although wood-working lathes have been in use since Biblical times, the first practical metalworking lathe was invented in 1800 by Henry Maudslay. It was simply a machine tool that held the piece of material being worked, or workpiece, in a clamp, or spindle, and rotated it so a cutting tool could machine the surface to the desired contour. The cutting tool was manipulated by the operator through the use of cranks and handwheels. Dimensional accuracy was controlled by the operator who observed the graduated dials on the handwheels and moved the cutting tool the appropriate amount. Each part that was produced required the operator to repeat the movements in the same sequence and to the same dimensions.

The first milling machine was operated in much the same manner, except the cutting tool was placed in the rotating spindle. The workpiece was mounted to the machine bed or worktable and was moved about under the cutting tool, again through the use of handwheels, to machine the workpiece contour. This early milling machine was invented by Eli Whitney in 1818.

The motions that are used in machine tools are called "axis," and are referred to as "X" (usually left to right), "Y" (usually front to back), and "Z" (up and down). The work-table may also be rotated in the horizontal or vertical plane, creating a fourth axis of motion. Some machines have a fifth axis, which allows the spindle to pivot at an angle.

One of the problems with these early machines was that they required the operator to manipulate the handwheels to make each part. Besides being monotonous and physically exhausting work, the ability of the operator to make identical parts was limited. Slight differences in operation resulted in variation of the axis dimensions, which, in turn, created poorly fitting or unusable parts. Scrap levels for the operations were high, wasting raw materials and labor time. As production quantities increased, the number of usable parts produced per operator per day were no longer economical. What was needed was a means to operate the motions of the machine automatically. Early attempts to "automate" these operations used a series of cams that moved the tools or worktable through linkages. As the cam rotated, a link followed the surface of the cam face, moving the cutting tool or the workpiece through a series of motions. The cam face was shaped to control the amount of linkage movement, and the rate at which the cam turned controlled the feedrate of the tool. These early machines were difficult to set correctly, but once set, they offered excellent repeatability for their day. Some have survived to this day and are called "Swiss" machines, a name synonymous with precision machining.
Early Design to Present
Day Operation
The modern CNC machine design grew out of the work of John T. Parsons during the late 1940s and early 1950s. After World War II, Parsons was involved in the manufacture of helicopter rotor blades, which required precise machining of complex shapes. Parsons soon found that by using an early IBM computer, he was able to make much more accurate contour guides than were possible using manual calculations and layouts. Based on this experience, he won an Air Force contract to develop an "automatic contour cutting machine" to produce large wing section pieces for aircraft. Utilizing a computer card reader and precise servomotor controls, the resulting machine was huge, complicated, and expensive. It worked automatically, though, and produced pieces with the high degree of accuracy required by the aircraft industry.

By the 1960s, the price and complexity of automated machines had been reduced to the point where they found applications in other industries. These machines used direct current electric drive motors to manipulate the handwheels and operate the tools. The motors took electrical instructions from a tape reader, which read a paper tape approximately 1 in (2.5 cm) in width that was punched with a select series of holes. The position and sequence of the holes allowed the reader to produce the necessary electrical impulses to turn the motors at just the precise time and rate, which in effect operated the machine just like the human operator. The impulses were managed by a simple computer that had no "memory" capability at the time. These were often called "NC," or Numerical Controlled machines. A programmer produced the tape on a typewriter-like machine, much like the old "punch cards" used in early computers, which served as the "program." The size of the program was determined by the feet of tape needed to be read to produce a specific part.

This 1980s CNC chucking machine shows the technology's combination of machine tool and computer, (From the collections of Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village.)
This 1980s CNC chucking machine shows the technology's combination of machine tool and computer,
(From the collections of Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village.)
The story of how computers were first linked to production machinery is full of intrigue and controversy. It illuminates how intertwined industry, universities, and the military have been in the 20th century. The story also exemplifies how difficult it is to attribute many innovations to a single individual or institution. Sorting out who did what when and with what impact is a complex enterprise.

In 1947, John Parsons headed up an aeronautical manufacturing firm in Traverse City, Michigan. Faced with the increasing complexity of parts' shapes and the mathematical and engineering problems they entailed, Parsons searched for ways to reduce his firm's engineering costs. He asked the International Business Machine Corp. to allow him to use one of their main frame office computers to make a series of calculations for a new helicopter blade. Eventually, Parsons made an arrangement with Thomas J. Watson, the legendary president of IBM, whereby IBM would work with the Parsons Corporation to create a machine controlled by punched cards. Soon Parsons also had a contract with the Air Force to produce a machine controlled by cards or tape (like a player piano) that would cut contour shapes like those in propellers and wings. Parsons then went to engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Servomechanism Laboratory for help with the project. MIT researchers had been experimenting with various types of control processes and had experience with Air Force projects dating back to World War II. In turn, the MIT laboratory saw this as an opportunity to expand their own research into control and feedback mechanisms. The successful development of computer-numerical-control machine tools was then undertaken by university researchers seeking to meet the demands of military sponsors.

William S. Pretzer

With advances in integrated electronics, the tape was eliminated, or used only to load the program into magnetic memory. In fact, the capacity of the memory of modern CNC machines is still sometimes referred to as "feet of memory."

The modern CNC machine works by reading the thousands of bits of information stored in the program computer memory. To place this information in the memory, the programmer creates a series of instructions that the machine can understand. The program may consist of "code" commands, such as "M03" which instructs the controller to move the spindle to a new position, or "G99," which instructs the controller to read an auxiliary input from some process inside the machine. Code commands are the most common way to program a CNC machine tool. However, the advancement in computers has allowed the machine tool manufacturer to offer "conversational programming," where the instructions are more like plain words. In conversational programming, the "M03" command is entered simply as "MOVE," and the "G99" command is simply "READ." This type of programming allows faster training and less memorizing of the code meanings by the programmers. It is important to note, however, that most conversational machines still read code programs, since the industry relies on that form of programming quite heavily.

The controller also offers help to the programmer to speed up the machine use. In some machines, for example, the programmer can simply type in the location, diameter, and depth of a feature and the computer will select the best machining method for producing the feature in the workpiece. The latest equipment can take a computer-generated engineering model; calculate the correct tool speeds, feeds, and paths; and produce the part without a drawing or program ever being created.
Read more @ http://www.cmsna.com/blog/2013/01/history-of-cnc-machining-how-the-cnc-concept-was-born/

In the next few days I will be buying parts bits by bits to begin building mine, its strictly DIY

Ok Basic Tools needed

Set of imperial and metric hex keys or drivers (we will mostly use 3/16" and 5 mm ones).


5/16" socket tool.

Wrench for tightening 5/16" lock nuts.

A pair of 3" - 5" clamps.
One wide clamp (wider than 6", preferably wider than 8").

Calipers.
Machinist square.
Dial test indicator (I recommend using 0.001" dial test indicator).
Soldering iron.
Lithium grease for bearings and silicon grease for steel rails (to lubricate and protect them from rust).

erico2k2:
Ok Basic Tools needed

Set of imperial and metric hex keys or drivers (we will mostly use 3/16" and 5 mm ones).


5/16" socket tool.

Wrench for tightening 5/16" lock nuts.

A pair of 3" - 5" clamps.
One wide clamp (wider than 6", preferably wider than 8".

Calipers.
Machinist square.
Dial test indicator (I recommend using 0.001" dial test indicator).
Soldering iron.
Lithium grease for bearings and silicon grease for steel rails (to lubricate and protect them from rust).

Quick question: which field of engineering are you a graduate of/still studying??

zikIPE:
Quick question: which field of engineering are you a graduate of/still studying??

Mech.Engine

zikIPE:
Quick question: which field of engineering are you a graduate of/still studying??

Are you Intrested? Is the ABS of robotics so it will give you a massive eye opener b4 U hit the labour mkt.I am almost 18 yrs late.

erico2k2:

Are you Intrested? Is the ABS of robotics so it will give you a massive eye opener b4 U hit the labour mkt.I am almost 18 yrs late.

well, industrial/production engineering undergraduate here. I've been learning about (automated) CNCs on my own for a while. Needs a micro controller(like arduino) which i do not have. But keep going, i'm following. And thanks for the work you're doing

zikIPE:
well, industrial/production engineering undergraduate here. I've been learning about (automated) CNCs on my own for a while. Needs a micro controller(like arduino) which i do not have. But keep going, i'm following. And thanks for the work you're doing

You can get them from Alibaba or Ebay and Amazon. Plus they ain't that xpenssive plus software is free. I can get you a link. Try an research how much it will cost U to get threaded rod at least 2 ft long 12 mm down there.

erico2k2:

You can get them from Alibaba or Ebay and Amazon. Plus they ain't that xpenssive plus software is free. I can get you a link. Try an research how much it will cost U to get threaded rod at least 2 ft long 12 mm down there.

a link would be highly appreciated-Especially a link to a CHEAP arduino mega 2560 R3.
And i really don't know how a 12mm threaded rod looks like. I once went to buy a threaded rod, but they had a different naming convention. They were using names like size 2, size 4, etc and the traders had no idea what i meant by 12mm. Any help will be appreciated

zikIPE:
a link would be highly appreciated-Especially a link to a CHEAP arduino mega 2560 R3.
And i really don't know how a 12mm threaded rod looks like. I once went to buy a threaded rod, but they had a different naming convention. They were using names like size 2, size 4, etc and the traders had no idea what i meant by 12mm. Any help will be appreciated

Ok I'm at work when I get home I shall get you some pics.

zikIPE:
a link would be highly appreciated-Especially a link to a CHEAP arduino mega 2560 R3.
And i really don't know how a 12mm threaded rod looks like. I once went to buy a threaded rod, but they had a different naming convention. They were using names like size 2, size 4, etc and the traders had no idea what i meant by 12mm. Any help will be appreciated

a 12 mm threaded rod is just a 12mm rod but has a thread,you can do this urself o n the lathe machine you can get a 12mm rod and thread it yourself if you have access to a good vice.

ok major parts we can fabricate should be the Y,X and Z axis,.The best material for this is the angle bar,there are loads in teh market.

erico2k2:

a 12 mm threaded rod is just a 12mm rod but has a thread,you can do this urself o n the lathe machine you can get a 12mm rod and thread it yourself if you have access to a good vice.

interesting, i never thought of that. So, basically, this 12mm is the diametre of the rod??

erico2k2:

a 12 mm threaded rod is just a 12mm rod but has a thread,you can do this urself o n the lathe machine you can get a 12mm rod and thread it yourself if you have access to a good vice.

interesting, i never thought of that. So, basically, this 12mm is the diametre of the rod??
P.S: forgive my lack of technical knowledge...i'm still fresh in the game

zikIPE:
a link would be highly appreciated-Especially a link to a CHEAP arduino mega 2560 R3.
And i really don't know how a 12mm threaded rod looks like. I once went to buy a threaded rod, but they had a different naming convention. They were using names like size 2, size 4, etc and the traders had no idea what i meant by 12mm. Any help will be appreciated

I have a $50 Amazon gift card you can use to shop on Amazon ...

burticious:

I have a $50 Amazon gift card you can use to shop on Amazon ...

with the Nigerian mentality of 'Nothing goes for Nothing', i ask - what d'you expect in return??

Though i honestly hope you're giving it a way as a gift

zikIPE:
interesting, i never thought of that. So, basically, this 12mm is the diametre of the rod??

Correct

zikIPE:
with the Nigerian mentality of 'Nothing goes for Nothing', i ask - what d'you expect in return??

Though i honestly hope you're giving it a way as a gift

Ask him nicely yoy might just get it free or at discount. That might get you 2 stepper motors or even one Uno board

zikIPE:
well, industrial/production engineering undergraduate here. I've been learning about (automated) CNCs on my own for a while. Needs a micro controller(like arduino) which i do not have. But keep going, i'm following. And thanks for the work you're doing

Are you a Physicist, Computer Engineer, or Elect/Elect Engineer.
For all your microcontrollers/ arduino components and shields buy from us on konga @ konga.com/faithtechnologies.

Fast Nationwide Nationwide delivery Guaranteed.

Anything to develop the Arduino Community in Nigeria, count me in.
Also interested in developing and building a personal CNC Machine but that will be after am through with Automatic Zobo making and Dispensing Machine..
Will contribute where need be.

arduino:


Are you a Physicist, Computer Engineer, or Elect/Elect Engineer.
For all your microcontrollers/ arduino components and shields buy from us on konga @ konga.com/faithtechnologies.

Fast Nationwide Nationwide delivery Guaranteed.

Ok give us quotes and specifications here plz.
This thread is for enlightenment

arduino:
Anything to develop the Arduino Community in Nigeria, count me in.
Also interested in developing and building a personal CNC Machine but that will be after am through with Automatic Zobo making and Dispensing Machine..
Will contribute where need be.

Great welcome on board time to get the undergraduates of Tech dicipline thinking big.

erico2k2:

Ask him nicely yoy might just get it free or at discount. That might get you 2 stepper motors or even one Uno board

i already have 3 stepper motors salvaged from a dvd drive. My main priority is now the arduino mega 2560 R3. Lemme go and beg the oga well....my student budget no fit go anywhere

zikIPE:
i already have 3 stepper motors salvaged from a dvd drive. My main priority is now the arduino mega 2560 R3. Lemme go and beg the oga well....my student budget no fit go anywhere

Ok what are you going to use for the rotor?

erico2k2:

Ok what are you going to use for the rotor?

ow, I didn't think of that. hope I'm not interrupting your lesson ooh. Pls go on and I'll ask questions where necessary

arduino:


Are you a Physicist, Computer Engineer, or Elect/Elect Engineer.
For all your microcontrollers/ arduino components and shields buy from us on konga @ konga.com/faithtechnologies.

Fast Nationwide Nationwide delivery Guaranteed.

first of all, i have two questions:::
(1) What is the location of your lagos office?
(2) Can you deliver to Awka, Anambra State??

zikIPE:
ow, I didn't think of that. hope I'm not interrupting your lesson ooh. Pls go on and I'll ask questions where necessary

Nah U are not by any means. I'm trying to list what I would use. Where I am now I cannot build one cos of how I live but will do so when I get to Nigeria for good. So I'm hoping someone like you will pick up the project. But I'm gathering the elements here the main frame can be built with stuff in local communities in Nigeria. Metal or wood.

zikIPE:
first of all, i have two questions:::
(1) What is the location of your lagos office?
(2) Can you deliver to Awka, Anambra State??

My Oga, our office is located in Jos-Plateau State. We have delivered and will keep delivering orders to all the South-east and South-south Capitals and Commercial Cities.
We deliver Nationwide and offer excellent pre and post order customer services

zikIPE:
i already have 3 stepper motors salvaged from a dvd drive. My main priority is now the arduino mega 2560 R3. Lemme go and beg the oga well....my student budget no fit go anywhere

What are the specifications of the three Stepper motors you salvaged? Are they NEMA17 or above? What are their current ratings?

arduino:


What are the specifications of the three Stepper motors you salvaged? Are they NEMA17 or above? What are their current ratings?

i don't think they're up to NEMA17 and the project I had in mind doesn't need a stepper motor as large as nema17

zikIPE:
i don't think they're up to NEMA17 and the project I had in mind doesn't need a stepper motor as large as nema17

what would your project be doing? what kind of finished job and what materials do you aim to mill?

New upgraded 5 axis CNC breakout Board for stepper Motor Driver Machu