Lately, I've been working on building some form of CNC machine (possibly a router) out of an old XY positioner. Given that the X and Y axes are not in an ideal configuration for holding a work tool, and that I would rather the machine be a gantry style CNC, I've been working on reconfiguring things a bit. Specifically, I plan on flipping the Y rails and X mounting plate around, and transposing the belt and rails for the X axis such that they are vertical. This will allow me to use the steel bed as the CNC's work surface, while also holding the machine rigid.
Here is an initial photo of the XY positioner prior to any reconfiguration.
Once the XY and axis are reconfigured, my next task will be to build a Z axis. Initially, I think I will use parts from an old CD-ROM drive to control a pen, such that I can test how well the XY components function. I am currently unsure if the machine will be too susceptible to chatter, and based off of how well the reconfigured machine works, this will be a major factor in determining whether a CNC router will be a viable option for this hardware.
To control the stepper motors, I plan on using an Arduino board with a CNC shield and Grbl installed.
To be continued...