Hey y'all,
I am looking to learn about what goes into building a new CNC router (other than $10,000). I have a few years of experience running a CNC router (I am an architecture student and during the school year, I work as an after-hours shop supervisor), but not much in setting one up. I currently use Aspire and a 4x8' vacuum table, but beyond creating and cutting files, I am lost when it comes down to the specs. I am an architecture student and in the next year I plan on outfitting a shop and starting making stuff. I know enough to get me started:
- I will primarily be using full sheets of plywood and so I know I want a 4x8 table.
- I may eventually get into milling light aluminum but not anytime in the near future.
- And I have lots of experience with CAD and simple 3D-modeling programs like SketchUp, but I would like to expand to Rhino and the like.
From what I have seen (and correct me if I am wrong), it seems a way to go would be to buy the CNCrouterparts pro (or standard?) 4x8 table and gantry, then find a decent spindle, and I would probably want to go with their NEMA 34 kit. As far as what software to use, I would probably build a dedicated tower and then have to figure out where to go from there. Like I said, I use Aspire and I believe it is outdated but it still works very well and is very user-friendly. The CNC machine we use has a keypad which allows for setting Z-height and origin very easy, but is that something I need or am I spoiled? Also, where do I start with the vacuum table setup and dust collection?
Thanks in advance!
Jed
I am looking to learn about what goes into building a new CNC router (other than $10,000). I have a few years of experience running a CNC router (I am an architecture student and during the school year, I work as an after-hours shop supervisor), but not much in setting one up. I currently use Aspire and a 4x8' vacuum table, but beyond creating and cutting files, I am lost when it comes down to the specs. I am an architecture student and in the next year I plan on outfitting a shop and starting making stuff. I know enough to get me started:
- I will primarily be using full sheets of plywood and so I know I want a 4x8 table.
- I may eventually get into milling light aluminum but not anytime in the near future.
- And I have lots of experience with CAD and simple 3D-modeling programs like SketchUp, but I would like to expand to Rhino and the like.
From what I have seen (and correct me if I am wrong), it seems a way to go would be to buy the CNCrouterparts pro (or standard?) 4x8 table and gantry, then find a decent spindle, and I would probably want to go with their NEMA 34 kit. As far as what software to use, I would probably build a dedicated tower and then have to figure out where to go from there. Like I said, I use Aspire and I believe it is outdated but it still works very well and is very user-friendly. The CNC machine we use has a keypad which allows for setting Z-height and origin very easy, but is that something I need or am I spoiled? Also, where do I start with the vacuum table setup and dust collection?
Thanks in advance!
Jed