9/7/2014

MAS 863 - David Carr

My final project is a 3-axis CNC milling machine that costs less than $100 (currently $87) to build. It can mill PCBs, wood,
and even mild steel.

These PCBs were milled using the machine. The traces are 10-15 mils. The left and lower right boards were milled at
approximately the same speed as the Modela. The upper right board was milled at a speed approximately 50% higher than
that of the Modella. This possible in part due to the Mantis MTM's increased spindle speed, about 20,000 rpm.
http://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/MIT/863.09/people/dcarr/final/final.html

1/5

9/7/2014

MAS 863 - David Carr

Some more test pieces: MDO and mild steel with a 1/32 inch mill on the left, wax with a 1/8 mill on the right.

Design
My design was heavily influnced by Johnathan Ward's MTM-AZ, although it shares no common parts with his machine. It
has a MDO framework that supports an overhead Y,Z zxis gantry above the bed (X axis). All three axes ride on precision
steel rods and are manipulated by stepper driven lead screws. The working volume is currently 6x4x1.25 inches.

http://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/MIT/863.09/people/dcarr/final/final.html

2/5

9/7/2014

MAS 863 - David Carr

Machine drawings (DXF)

Bill of materials
Brute force stepper driver
The brute force stepper driver is a simple 3 axis stepper driver for use with EMC2. To use it you need a real parallel port
(not a USB one). Also beware of parallel ports that only produce 3.3V rather than the full 5V.

http://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/MIT/863.09/people/dcarr/final/final.html

3/5

9/7/2014

MAS 863 - David Carr

Here are the files for milling the board:

Bottom (PNG)
Holes (PNG)
Mill the first/bottom layer with a 1/64 inch mill first. Then without touching the board, mill the holes layer with a 1/32 inch
mill. Use Z = -.066 for the holes layer and speeds of .5/.5.
Components
MDO frame
Y,Z axis gantry assembly
Bed and X axis assembly
Spindle assembly
Stepper motor drive board
PC control software
Processes
All of the machine's structure is MDO and is designed to be milled on the ShopBot. The leadscrews and leadscrew nuts
require drilling and tapping operations that are preferrably perfomed on a lathe. The stepper motor drive board must be
assembled and integrated with the control software. The remainder of the assembly tasks are designed to be completed with
hand tools.
Schedule
Design prototype (complete)
Machine first prototype "kit" (complete)
Assemble prototype (completed)
http://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/MIT/863.09/people/dcarr/final/final.html

4/5

9/7/2014

MAS 863 - David Carr

Revise design (completed)

Design control board (complted)
Construct control board (completed)
Machine next iteration (completed)
Assemble next iteration (completed)
Integrate control software (completed)
Revise design (completed)
Present machine (completed)
Over and out.

http://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/MIT/863.09/people/dcarr/final/final.html

5/5