Like I keep telling, it’s Google, “cnc at home” searchwords, and choose from a list of thousands!
Illustration 36A guy named V. Chan, at pathcom.com, created this drill-mill conversion
Software’s not a problem, you can find free software, cheap software, expensive software, you can even learn how to make your own CNC controlling software, what have you!
You can use your present PC to control it, use an old 386, buy the CNC, Computer, and all, but by now you’re just wondering:
“Yeah, right, but WHY DO I NEED A CNC MACHINE?”
Well, in theory, if you have one of those, you will never have to build a Prototype, just “draw” the pieces in some 3D program, have the CNC mill them out of metal blocks, or other material, and assemble the Prototype like as much as some IKEA furniture!
In my Prototype building experience, tough, NOTHING is that simple, something always needs some extra work, but hey, Industrial Precision pieces, just as you imagined them, now that’s something not to snare at!
Illustration 37 This guy, Tom Gootee, at fullnet.com, built a CNC machine from an Epson printer!
So go have some fun, be it building, buying it all ready to mill, converting it from a drill press, Google it, choose what’s right for you, could not be the one that suits your neighbor, the CNC world’s yours!
HEY! IT GETS BETTER!
Now there’s?Fab@home.org, and all your problem’s over!
These guys are into Fabricating, or CNC home manufacturing, or buildin’ your 3D stuff with a home made Robot.
And not only that, they help you MAKE YOUR OWN CNC MACHINE with only a fraction of the money you spend on Pro CNCs, but with a even more flexible machine! And you can even save more money, if you’ve got some old Printer around.
If you’re thinking you cannot do it, think again, ‘cos they teach every darn step, even WIRE CUTTING the right way, so there’s no excuse not to try!
Now that’s good news or what?
RepRap, another fabber
Here’s another Fabber, RepRap, notice the different steel rod approach, comes also with Software support, same as Fab@home…
Max’s, much more than a Little Robot shop
Max’s Little Robot shop, the title says…
But that’s not true: It’s a HUGE help for lots of projects you may have.
I’m just reading the tabs at the left of his page, Robots, Mechanical Fabbing, Injection Molding, the guy’s made a machine for it,
AND a download area!
There you’ll find lots of CAD files, don’t you just love the kewl CAD appearance…
Plus a Digital Electronics section that you have to see.
Be sure to give this Site a Look, you will learn a lot.
http://www.users.qwest.net/~kmaxon/index.html