Olly P Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Morning all, I've been thinking for a little while on this one and have decided to ask for some opinions. I want to build myself a CNC hot wire cutter. The concept is reasonably simple, having had a look online they are fairly easy to build and I think I can make a nice job of one. The limiting factor as always will be time, but as my contract is out in September there is a chance that I will have a lot more time on my hands If I am building a CNC HWC then I can easily build the additional parts and design it to convert into a CNC router - just a little software variation to make sure it works in both modes! So onto the real reason for the post. I'm thinking that once I have built the 'prototype' and proved it and my costs, I might run a 'kickstarter' project. for those not familiar with kickstarter then a designer puts up a post of what they intend to do, and linked pledge levels - i.e. pledge £1 get a key-ring cut on the prototype, pledge £1000 get a full machine, software, cutting wire, router conversion kit etc. If the project reaches it's 'funding goal' everyone pays up, and gets the bits, if not then no-one pays anything and no-one gets anything. Please note - numbers above are illustrative only! So the Question is this folks - if I get the prototype built and proven, and start the kickstarter, would they be of much interest? Thanks Olly Edited By Olly P on 18/02/2014 07:06:15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Miller Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 It does sound of interest, but I think that any crowd funding would have to be on a worldwide basis to make it work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly P Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 Dave - and indeed the crowdfunding would be out to as wide an audience as I could realistically post too! The plan would be to have different build levels i.e. lowest 'proper' one is a self assembly package, then part assembled then fully assembled. Alongside those levels probably additional levels for each with extra modules etc. The purpose of the post really is just to gauge if it is worth developing the idea of a crowd-funded project further. I will need to spend some of my own cash to get to the point where the kickstarter rules allow me to start one up, so it is a question on when/if I do it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Green Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Like the idea. I once had a step four hot wire cutter, but sold it with the business. The router I think would be of more interest these days as it could be used to cut ribs and formers and might be cheaper than a laser. Are there enough foam wings out there to justify I wonder. Have you decided on software yet, as this might be a deciding factor on take up. Andy Edited By Andy Green on 18/02/2014 12:50:32 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 i would love a cheap and easy way of cutting formers and ribs, but i doubt it will be cheap enough for me. sounds interesting though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly P Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 Thanks for the comments guys - keep them coming, all are ideas for consideration. As I say above I'm only on the 'internal process' of this so far. Andy - The idea is a modular system, so the Y axis would be common, the Z axis would potentially be a common driven system with then a slot in block to take either the ends for the HWC or a beam for mounting the router. the X axis for the router (not needed on the HWC) would then be built into this beam. In terms of software I haven't got that far! The advantage of the Pledge levels on kickstarter is that I could have multiple options, at appropriate funding levels. I could even have one available with no software. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerOC Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Free version of CNC software available from; **LINK** Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris basson Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Interesting project Olly!CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly P Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 Thanks Rob - a useful reference, especially if I do use the RPi option as a controller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Kearney Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Interesting project Olly, I'll be following with interest. LinuxCNC can be made to work on a Pi (the source is available, so will need a recompile for the ARM CPU). Somebody took the time to document it here. It's all pretty standard stuff if you are familiar with linux. If you choose to go that route and need a hand pls just shout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly P Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 Not that familiar with Linux but could learn. All depends if I go for that as a funding option/stretchgoal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerOC Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I have used Linux based systems for some 12 years now and have just switched to Ubuntu recently which this system uses. Ubuntu is pretty easy to use and the looking at the software install stuff there it is all gui based so should be very easy to use for anyone with advanced computer skills. You just need a realtively cheap pc with a parallel port which most still have and you're away. A background in using cnc would be helpful. Linux is not complicated it is just different. Once you are used to the intuitive way it works it is easy. It's not MicroSoft and nearly any piece of software is available free of charge. These are community based projects and the FrSky Taranis is an rc off shoot of the same thing. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Tarling Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I'd certainly be interested in one, particularly if you should need a prototype tester. Gordon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly P Posted March 10, 2015 Author Share Posted March 10, 2015 Well, this project isn't dead, just treading water - lots gong on at the moment, and I will be getting on with thi at some stage. I have done some research and bought some lead-screws, so hope to be looking at some precision rails as load bearers with thrust bearings soon - possibly looking at using ones normally used on photocopiers. I have also found some reasonably priced suppliers of 4 axis kits with a 5 axis breakout board, this means I could use axis 5 for an on/off controller of the Hot wire, or an extra stepper motor to add the routing option - or both via a switch depending on mode.... Lots to think about, and some design work to do next...just need to get some time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly P Posted April 7, 2015 Author Share Posted April 7, 2015 So, PSU and combination breakout and driver board due to be delivered on Thursday, Parallel cable due today, motors already purchased via E-Bay. Next thing is to measure the PCB - helpfully no physical sizes are provided on the website, and design the enclosure/test the electronics. Once that is done I need to figure out the limit switching bit, and get some limit switches. Finally I need to acquire some bearings of some description and design/make the actual physical machine - I'm fairly relaxed about it as I know enough to make this bit easy, the electronics/software bit was my knowledge hole and I hope to have filled this by the end of the weekend, but I do have my 2 year old sons birthday party on Sunday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Tee Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 **LINK** There was a kit to build a CNC router which used a dremel some place too but i don't have the link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben goodfellow 1 Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 this is what i intend on getting...http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311266422451?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT some one please fix the link......thanks ,....fly low Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly P Posted April 8, 2015 Author Share Posted April 8, 2015 Ben, that looks good, but I'm enjoying the challenge of designing and building my own. Had a message from the courier, delivery will be today of the remaining electronics. Fixed link: **LINK** Might get some shed time, but unlikely this week with prep for the little ones birthday part on Sat - we will see, I would like to test the electronics if I get chance, I will then figure our enclosures for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben goodfellow 1 Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 ill follow with interest , i would find the mechanics the easy bit . ive access to lathes milling macines drill presses ect . but the computer side would stump me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly P Posted April 9, 2015 Author Share Posted April 9, 2015 Ben, I'll attempt a 'simple' explanation.... The user creates a design on the computer (in the Computer Aided Design software or CAD) this is then passed to another piece of software (or part of the same software in some cases) which creates the instructions for the machine to cut to (called G-Code). This is then passed to a 'breakout board' which figures it out. The breakout board then turns this G-Code into a series of signals for the Stepper motor controller, which turns the motor a set amount to move the heads. I have bought a 'combination board' which acts as the breakout board and the stepper motor controllers, this makes wiring up simple for me..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly P Posted May 3, 2015 Author Share Posted May 3, 2015 OK. My better half is away, with the nipper for a week later this month, and as the plan is to have the garden finished by then I might get the shed back, and I'll have time to use it! So I am no having to make some decisions. I have found a source for the remaining electronics trivia, and it will not cost much. I need to obtain the ball bearing slides to run the actual wire 'shackles' on, and therefore need to make some decisions based on size. The principle use will be for cutting wing sections, and therefore the height should be easy to accomodate within a 500mm runner, But what about the chord? I can set the 2 runners almost any distance apart so the span is not limited by this, but the chord will be. Is 550mm enough, or do I go to 600, or more? The other factor is space - at full extension the arms will be twice as long as the movement! hmm....decisions, decisions..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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