jamius.com

I'm doing some research, and looking into possibly convincing some people to get me a CNC mill. ...like a desktop one that'll take a CAD file, and cut it out.
I went to see a Roland MDX-40
http://www.rolanddg.com/product/3d/3d/m ... index.html

Yesterday. Its like 8000$, and pretty cool. It doesnt' do aluminium, though. ....not that I'd need that feature to do toy stuff, but.... it would be kinda nice.

One important thing I'd need is the ability to take a CAD file, like an STL file, and have the software figure out how to cut it out without a lot of messing with it. I know, thats lame and wimpy, but I kinda have to make a lot of tiny parts fairly quickly.

One other important factor is power. I'm on solar, and this thing maxes out at 250-ish watts. Thats low enough that I can run it as long as I'm getting some sun. No point in getting a several HP one. I'd hardly be able to use it.

I'd be really interested in hearing if anyone has something like this... or has done much research into it.

Oh, and if this "reminds" you of something you have that doesn't really fit these specs, just put that in a new post. That way different things can stay in different categories, and be easy to navigate.

Hi JME

G-Code from .stl files = using high end 3D package(=expensive to buy) or there's Freemill
http://www.mecsoft.com/freemill.shtml
FreeMill is a fully functional 3D Milling package built on MecSoft Corporation's world renowned VisualMill CAM package. With this product you will be able to import VisualMILL, STL, Rhino .3dm, VRML and Raw Triangle files, run full simulations on your part models and be able to output G code to your machine tool. The product comes with about 50 pre-built post-processors. This product is absolutely FREE! There is no time limit, part limit, post limit, or line of code limit in this product.

Available file imports include: VisualMILL, Rhino, STL, VRML.

Never used it as home-built CNC became another dream - but it was a GREAT dream.
But I did hack an 8 legged Arachnoid toy to be controllable over Internet - with video to see where it was going.
Yeah, you could sit at home and send the Giant Robot to the store... just add a cellphone for web access, a laptop and webcam.

Mark - UK

First thought , that's quite expensive for what you get. I have seen mini mills converted to cnc , but i dont think thats possible for you. Or look at another model of cnc. The one you showed has 4 axis. Depends what you want to do with it. Capability wise that is.

CNC machines run off g-code. You would need a software to convert it from CAD to g-code. But it wont be as simple as you mentioned. There is alot to learn in the world of cnc. Just because you can buy a machine doesnt mean you can run it. Or produce quality parts.

I work as a machinist , we make all kinds of packaging line filler nozzles , cappers , feed screws. I have had the chance to learn alot about cnc machines over the last 2 years. Im not taking about desktop ones. Decent sized ones with 2-4 feet of travel. Maybe for the time being it would be better to out source the parts you cant make on your laser cutter. Too bad i couldnt use the machines at work to help you out.

Guruweb.... you just told me that something isn't possible for me. Uhhh.... I don't know what kind of crack you're on right now, but I'll just presume its a pretty bad trip, and let it go.

Aaaanyway... its expensive because it comes wth all that software. An idiot can run the machine. It plans out the cut patterns based on what bits you have. ...tells you when to put what bit in, etc.

Its very different from larger machines. Now, I do want to get a big mill for things like giant robot parts, but thats a topic for another board.

Woah, aark. Thats pretty cool. I wonder if I know anyone who's triedthat software. It would be pretty sweet to just get a bigger mill for 1/3 the price, and skip all the g-code.

I knew you would say that.

Check out cnczone.com They have alot of information on smaller based cnc machines , and home made ones.

Well.. for $200 I built this, and bought the controller and steppers..




And it will cut aluminum 3/4x1/2" deep. Not fast... but it will do it. It positively powers through aluminum with a 1/4" bit.

http://www.crankorgan.com I wouldn't buy a desktop prototyping mill at this point. They're very expensive for what you get.

I WOULD buy a desktop 3d printer. RepRap isn't mature enough yet.

If you didn't have the time constraint to deal with I would definitely say build a CNC machine. They aren't that tough to build, program and use. However, if these guys have the rapid prototype machines ready to go and you can just pick one up. Then I would just do that and start making parts. In fact, those things generally take a while to build parts up. So, in the mean time you can research building/buying a small cnc router. Since you will primarily be cutting wood with it, make sure that you can cut at a decent rate of speed, like 200 IPM. You probably want to avoid using all thread and steppers, and consider belt drive or rack and pinion. There are options like the 'smooth stepper' for using a USB interface instead of the standard home build parallel port.

Ideally I think that you will want to have both though. You can then build some of the more complex to machine parts with the RPM (Rapid Prototyping Machine) and then machine the simpler parts on the CNC mill. You can even clean up the rough parts of your RPM parts and give them the smooth finish you desire with the mill. Once you start using both, I think you will find that you prefer machining your parts on the mill/router. Most of the parts are simple and will be finished in a few minutes ready for a quick scrub with some sand paper and will be ready for glue impregnation.

You could make aluminum or even steel parts using a 3d printer or CNC wood router, if you look at it from a certain point of view...

You could use the 3d printer or CNC router to make "patterns" to create sand molds, and build a wood fired furnace to melt down scrap aluminum and cast your parts using the molds. Almost everything required for the sandcasting process can be obtained freely or cheaply, and you would be melting scrap aluminum instead of buying billets for machining. This process is more labor intensive and hazardous (involves heat and gases) than CNC, but it's more fun and the money saved might be worth it.

Video demonstrating the process: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M95bhPrD ... re=related
Sandcasting info: http://www.eugenesargent.com/casting.htm

I've heard the "metalworking shop from scrap" books cover this pretty well, if you can find them.

I have thought in the past about possibly melting down aluminum cans. It would be interesting to try and come up with an easy way to do it.