Projects

This section is designed to give you a taste of what you can do with the CompUCut system.

The gallery is a collection of jobs and machines that the CompUCut system can be used with.

We've also picked out a couple of 'main stream' jobs that CompUCut'ers do to give a bit more info into how CompUCut assists with these projects.

And finally we've taken the three machine configurations that we supply kits and/or manuals for and provided what we hope is some useful info.

Click through and be inspired!

Building a Machine

Whether you build from scratch or adapt an existing machine will depend on the materials to be cut, the accuracy required, the scale and shape of the work and the quantity you intend to produce. The machine construction manual cannot cover every configuration of a three axis machine so the approach is to use two examples of multi function machines, one for wood/plastics and one for metals.

The small 2-axis wood routing/turning/drilling machines are adaptations of a popular alloy diecast XY table made by Wolfcraft in Germany plus other easily available DIY accessories such as a 150W mini router head. Everything which can be bought is bought rather than made, consequently the construction is quick and does not require tools other than simple household tools.

A third axis can be added by the user, which in the case of the router and drill give vertical control which allows unattended drilling profiling engraving etc. with up to approx. 500W. In the case of the lathe the third axis allows synchronised turning for such things as 'Barley twist' columns and fluting work.

Once the size limit of these small machines is reached they can be reconverted to manual mode and the motor gear used to drive machines scratch built from MDF or plywood with ballraced motions to suit the particular work/cutter arrangement needed.

If you prefer to add stepper motors to existing machines, it is important to decide how much torque you will need, as this will determine the size of motor, and so the method of drive (direct or via belt etc). The photo below shows an adaptation of the Taig lathe to stepper motor control. Note the stepper driven head allows for "creative" or non symmetrical work.

The Taig lathe adapted to CNC with a Dremel cutter. The work is turned by a stepper motor co ordinated to the X, Y movements of the Dremel to cut this stylised universal joint. Power supply, computer and CompUCut interface are all on show in the background.