MaxBox

Wanted to build CNC with these specs:
- 50cm x 50cm x 50cm working volume
- could use it as a 3D printer or as a router for balsa/plywood with minimal changes
- made out of the least number of different parts as possible

This is made out of 20x40 v-slot extrusions 74cm in length, all axes are driven by ACME screws (still waiting for those ACME nut blocks to arrive in mail ) and NEMA-17 steppers.

I'm still in R&D phase, all mechanical parts are constructed so that I can move them around relatively easily (note how extrusions are not aligned at the ends and entire frame is held together by same 90-degree blocks).

Next step (once those acme nut blocks arrive) is to wire PSU, stepper drivers and controller board and try out some firmware code to check if mechanical design is basically sound.

After that it is X axis build which should be made out of 2 gantry plates sliding on two 8mm shafts and driven via, yes indeed, ACME screw.

I'm tempted to make this version a 3D printer first, that's why it ended up in 3D printers section.
However, for the first baby steps it may very well just be a sharpie marker drawing on a piece of paper

Parts list coming soon and sketchup model is just a first draft. Strange shape attached to X-axis is extruder from gCreate gMax printer.

update -- 02.01.2015
ACME nut blocks arrived and after spending quite some time to get them to slide over screws with minimum resistance, all v-slot gantries are mounted on rails and, with nut blocks in place, connected to drive screws.