December 15th, 2008 by admin

Before building a machine, you must know what each part of the machine is and what it does. We’ll start with the main part of the machine, which typically acts as the support as well for the machine, the work table. The work table usually consists of a table with strong support to keep the machine from binding while in use. If the table moves, the accuracy will be horrible. On top of the table is a material used as a sacrificial table top such as mdf. It is used to place your cutting material, and allows the machine to cut all the way through the material. Next, we go on to the x-axis. On most machines, this is located on the stationary table with a set of rails or slides that slide horizontally. These slides need to be perfectly parallel so when the machine moves from one side to the other, it will not bind. On the x-axis, sits the gantry. The gantry holds the y-axis, the z-axis, as well as the cutting head typically a router. The gantry extends from one side of the machine, up and over the work table, to the other side. The y-axis is mounted across the gantry perpendicular to the x-axis and also moves in a horizontal manner. Mounted on the y-axis is the z-axis. The z-axis moves up and down, vertically, moving the cutting head in and out of the material. Usually the cutting head is a router, or spindle, but can also be a laser or vinyl cutting head. These parts make up the overall body of the machine and are essential to any cnc machine.