CNC Machine
This CNC machine was designed and built in-house over a two year period, beginning as a personal project and progressing into an industrial capable system that now supports our commercial work. The development process focused on achieving reliability, accuracy, and flexibility within a compact footprint, allowing us to remain competitive as a small design and fabrication business.
The machine has a working envelope of approximately 350 mm by 450 mm and is intended for versatile shop use. It features a steel work table fitted with aluminum extrusion to support a wide range of workholding solutions. The table is mounted to a steel chassis, providing the mass and rigidity required for consistent machining across different materials.
The spindle is a 2.2 kW water cooled unit operating between 6,000 and 24,000 RPM and uses an ER20 collet system. It is mounted on an all steel carriage to maintain stiffness under load. Linear motion on the X, Y, and Z axes is provided by stepper motors driving precision ball screws, with precision ground linear guides on all axes. A belt driven A-axis (rotary) attachment is integrated into the system, offering expanded machining capability for simultaneous or indexed rotary work.
Several auxiliary systems are built into the machine, including dust extraction, cutting coolant, an electronic tool setter, and fourth axis support. These features are integrated into the core design, reducing setup time and improving workflow efficiency.
Machine control is handled through UCCNC software. We have developed custom screen sets, macros, and a dedicated postprocessor to suit our workflow. This allows toolpaths to be visualized prior to machining, improves process confidence, and enables a high level of automation. Conversational programming is also used for quick, one off jobs directly at the machine.
The enclosure is a multilayer construction using high density fiberboard and closed cell foam for noise reduction, combined with stainless steel and polycarbonate panels. Integrated LED lighting and dust extraction improve visibility and cleanliness. A dual-hinge door system allows the enclosure door to pivot backwards then upward and out of the way, providing unobstructed access to the work area when required.
