Steps for HOWTO Build a home made CNC machine (JGRO router)

Intro Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Step 9 Step 10 Step 11 Step 12

Step 5: Make the Z axis

Now its time to make some moving parts. I'm going to start with the Z-axis. This is the part that moves the router up and down. It's the smallest of the axes and by making it first I can ensure the rest of the machine fits around it. The parts are mostly MDF, held together by dowels and bolts.

The router will be attached to the plate on the front, with a clamp (not made yet). I bought a Ferm 850 router from amazon.co.uk for this job (£25), it's a small laminate trimmer type router with adjustable speed. It's already been used to route out the necessary channels in the MDF.

You can see from the picture how the linear bearings roll up and down the metal pipes. The same system is used on the other two axes. It seems to be working here so hopefully the rest of the machine will work too.

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