The minimill project was started for the sake of having a CNC mill that was well made, cheaper than store bought ones, but that during construction, taught me basic workshop principles.
This page is currently under construction (as the mill is), and will be updated in due time. For now, I have included a number of pictures of the progress to date.
The mill is being designed to opperate to the following specification
- 200mmx200mm working area on the X and Y axis.
- 0.01mm resolution on all axis, using stepper motors and ground ball screws.
- Linear bearing blocks and rails on all axis to provide solid, accurate movement.
- Heavy iron and steel construction.
- multiple head attachments to do varying jobs (high speed PCB routing / lower speed steel cutting)
This project has taught me the following skills:
- Using a mill.
- Turning, both internal and external.
- Thermal stress reliefe and surface grinding.
- MIG welding (although only on a prototype)
- Linear bearing instalation
