3D printed CNC (MPCNC Primo) - My attempt at wooden relief panels
Hi,
Just felt like sharing what I've been able to carve using a 3D printed CNC (MPCNC Primo)
Build area is 800 x 600. Speeds are probably quite slow at 1000mm/m with 2mm depth of cut using 8mm flat end mill, then following up with a finish pass with 8mm ball end at same feed rate. I scale the depth back to 1.5mm if using 6mm mills. As someone new to the game I am happy with this. The real limit I've found though is the Z axis speed which I have had to limit to 150mm/m due to lost steps - This alone can add a lot of time to a job and seems to be far far the biggest weakness of the machine. Can't complain, at a guess i probably spent about £300-£400 on the set up 😄
I am using the machine in a garage conversion right next to the home kitchen so an enclosure to reduce sound was a must. To be honest it was more work than building the machine but totally worth it in the end. Its made from 2x4 studs with 18mm OSB either side. The internal layer of OSB isn't mechanically fastened to the studs, it is 'chocked' in place and all contact points sit on strips of EDPM foam to try and isolate vibration (no idea if it makes an actual improvement)
Something I love about the design is the "hatch back" style door as it gives you a lot more access to the front of the machine for setting up. Other enclosures force you to almost climb in.
The window is three layers of 6mm Plexiglass, The middle layers also 'float' on some EDPM foam to reduce vibrations. Foam also seals the edges once closed (VERY IMPORTANT!) also some advice if anyone who wants to build this style of door, use gas struts! its very heavy with two OSB layers.
Hope this post inspires anyone who is considering the MPCNC or who is on the fence about CNC woodworking in general but is put off by the start up costs. You don't always need to spend a small fortune to get started.
Some pics below, also a shameless plug for my ETSY store which has more pics Earthbound Carving (ETSY)
V1 Engineering - Here you can check out the MPCNC Primo and/or Lowrider machines. The forums and community seem really helpful.
My main limitation at the moment doesn't seem to be the machine but my ability to create things to carve. This is why most of my work so far is ripples and waves etc. All generated in Blender which I find to be quite daunting to learn. Either way I am really happy (and surprised!) with what I've been able to produce so far with very little experience.
Any questions let me know, Thanks
