MAKER MOVEMENT PROJECTS

HOW TO SET UP A CNC ROUTER TABLE COORDINATE SYSTEM

Written By: Bill Griggs - Jul• 27•16

I recently received a question from a CNC beginner who was having trouble setting up his machine. He asked me how to set up a CNC router table coordinate system? He asked this question because his machine did not move in the proper direction when he pressed the arrow keys on his keyboard while using Mach3.

It took us a while to find out what the issue was but it turned out to be quite simple. He had connected the stepper motor controller wire to the wrong motors. This resulted in his machine cutting letters backwards and sideways. I realize this is quite a common problem for beginners HOW TO SET UP A CNC ROUTER TABLE COORDINATE SYSTEM (more…)

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Minibloq Out Of Beta

Written By: Bill Griggs - Dec• 19•15

MINIBLOQ OUT OF BETA

Minibloq v0.83 Adds many new  Features

Minibloq v0.83

Minibloq is a graphical programming environment for Arduino™, Multiplo, physical computing devices and robots. One of it’s main goals is to introduce physical computing and robotic platforms to primary schools, kids and beginners. I have been using Minibloq for a few years now and it has really gained in (more…)

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Stepper Motor Mounts – How To Make Your Own CNC Milling Machine

Written By: Bill Griggs - Feb• 01•15

Stepper Motor Mounts

How To Make Your Own CNC Milling Machine

Part 4

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The next phase of my journey in how to make your own CNC milling machine I needed to figure out how to deal with the stepper motors. Making the stepper motor mounts requires a balance between rigidity, adjust-ability and accessibility. About the time I got to this point in my build, I got an email from Hoss (more…)

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Ballscrew Upgrade – How To Make Your Own CNC Milling Machine

Written By: Bill Griggs - Oct• 31•14

Ballscrew Upgrade

How To Make Your Own CNC Milling Machine – Part 3

ballscrew mount #cnc

One of the first options I decided to Make to my CNC Milling Machine was a Ballscrew upgrade. I decided to upgrade the Acme Thread Leadscrews to BallScrews. A Ballscrew (sometimes spelled Ball Screw) is a type of linear actuator that translates rotary motion into linear motion. It uses ball bearing in a helical groove to transfer the motion with very little friction. Because of this low friction fit, ballscrews have less backlash or slop than Acme leadscrews and (more…)

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Inexpensive CNC router tables that won’t break the budget.

Written By: Bill Griggs - Sep• 30•14

  INEXPENSIVE CNC ROUTER TABLES

THAT WON’T BREAK THE BUDGET.

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Recently, a wood working friend on Twitter asked for my advice. He wanted to know if their were any inexpensive CNC router tables that won’t break the budget? CNC router tables can be an expensive investment in your woodworking hobby, but I feel it brings a variety of new options to your woodworking. My first response was to ask an what his budget was for the project.  When he responded that he would like to spend between $500 and $1000 including software, I knew he was in for a shock. I told him that he could expect to spend about as much on a CNC router table as he would spend on a SawStop table saw (or two). He was understandably disappointed by my response, but it got me thinking. Was it possible? Here is what I found out. (more…)

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