Development of mini cnc machine design and building for making ceramic cup and bowl prototype

Abstract

This article aimed to describe the design and building of a 3-axis mini computer numerical control (CNC) machine for making a ceramic cup and bowl prototype that helps achieve a fully-automated production process using a small budget. Step motors were used to control the movement of the 3 axes, X, Y, and Z axis, of the Mini CNC machine. Automated operating system was controlled through unipolar microstepping driver and spindle adjustment PC interface board. The operating system was controlled by Mach 3 software, G-code command. Based on a test using a prototype milling of a lotus leaf ceramic bowl with a diameter of 130 centimeter and height of 65 millimeter, it was found that the depth of cut in milling each round was 6 millimeter, the test of building a dry clay lotus leaf bowl with a hard plaster lotus leaf bowl, fine milling with feeding speed of 1000-3,000 (mm / min), and increasing the spindle speed of 10,000-15,000 (rpm), circular milling cutter with a depth of 0.1 (mm). In each circular, the increase of the feeding speed and the spindle speed would reduce the time required for building. The smoothness of the lotus leaf bowl surface depended on the hardness of the material used to make the prototype. When comparing the performance with the 5-axis CNC machines on the market, it was found that the performance was similar, but the Mini CNC Machine had size, weight, and price less than others.