Acta Marisiensis.

SeriaTechnologica a
Vol. 18 (XXXV) no. 2, 2021
ISSN 2668-4217, ISSN-L 2668-4217

10.2478/amset-2021-0014

DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A MINI

CNC MILLING MACHINE

Tran Thanh Tung1, Nguyen Xuan Quynh2, Tran Vu Minh3

1
Faculty of Engineering Mechanics and Automation, University of Engineering and Technology, Vietnam
National University Hanoi , VietNam
[email protected]
2,3
Department of Manufacturing Technology, Ha Noi University of Science and Technology Ha Noi, Viet Nam
Address Including Country Name
[email protected]
[email protected]

Abstract
The development of mechanical processing machines with integrated CNC systems allows
the manufacturing industry to produce complex products quickly with high quality. CNC has
become a main course for mechanical students in technical and vocational universities. CNC
machine training is required to enhance student's skills to learning in design and
manufacturing technology. However, the cost to buy a CNC machine is not cheap. In a
developing country like Vietnam, along with the limited budget of most universities, this is
an obstacle for students to have the opportunity to use CNC machines. To help students have
a teaching aid in learning, improve practice capacity. The article proposes an alternative to
design and manufacture a simple, inexpensive milling machine with all the required
functions. The CAD models design of the machine model structure were done using
Solidwork and NX software. Most of the machine's parts are manufactured and assembled
in the Faculty of Engineering Mechanics and Automation laboratory of Engineering and
Technology, Vietnam National University Hanoi. The study's main objective is to propose a
process for designing and manufacturing a mini vertical 3-axis CNC milling machine with
low cost but full features similar to an industrial CNC machine. The machine model
introduced in the article can be used as a teaching aid, improving practical capacity for
students of machine building

Keywords:CNC machine, milling machine, CAD/CAM

© 2021 Published by University Press. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/CC-BY-4.0/)
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 1. Introduction 2. Materials and methods
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) is a kind of The CNC milling machine consists of two primary
machine-controlled automatically with the aid of a movements, the translational motion according to the
computer. Parts are automatically programmed to X-Y of the table and the translational and rotational
operate according to the series of events set by the user motion of the cutting tool. These movements were
to create a product of the required shape and size [1- performed using sets of motors. In addition, the
3]. The industrial product formation cycle in a modern complete control unit of the machine includes control
way uses the CAD/CAM/CNC method to design, circuits and G-codes. Thus, the CNC milling machine
manufacture, and assemble products, which is fundamentally consists of mechanical components
becoming the focus of research, development, and (main shaft, ball bearing, bearing, tool table, tool drive,
wide application in many countries worldwide. CAD lead screw, etc.) and an electrical system (including
(Computer-Aided Design) is a field of application of motor, control part, transmission parts
the computer to design. It assists designers in The primary design factors for building a CNC
modeling, creating, and exporting design documents milling machine are shown in Figure 1. The device's
based on graphic techniques. CAM (Computer-Aided dimensions in X, Y, Z correspond to 360 mm, 480 mm,
Manufacturing) is the next step between CNC and 340 mm, respectively.
machining and CAD design. When the product was
entirely designed by CAD software, it was imported
into CAM software to output programs for CNC
machines to perform the machining process [4- 6].
Generally, a CNC machine is complex with many
high-precision manufactured parts that integrate many
control systems [7-9].
CNC machine tools are controlled using a special
type of code called G-code. CNC machine tools can be
programmed directly through the keyboard and screen
integrated on the machine or CAM software and then
transferred to the computer via USB or other
connections [10-12]. Today, integrated with many new
and modern features, CNC machines increasingly play
an essential role in machine manufacturing
technology. Most commercial CNC machines are very Fig. 1: The 3D prototype of the CNC milling machine
bulky and complicated, so their cost is not cheap,
making it very hard for universities, especially in Different configurations are considered for the
developing countries like Vietnam, to invest in a CNC qualities; they offer better rigidity, better accuracy,
machine. Therefore, the mini CNC machine with simple operation, and simple programming. The power
affordable price but still full of basic learning functions was calculate base on the suggestions in [16], as
gradually became popular [13-15]. The mini CNC follow: the coefficient of friction, μ = 0.0025. The
milling machine is specially designed and used in screw diameter (d) = 14 mm, the table lead screw angle
classrooms, offices, or laboratories to help students (α), pitch of leaf screw p= 2mm
improve their practical skills [16-17]. In addition, 𝑝𝑝 2
small CNC machines can still process products with μ= tanβ= 0.0025 and 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝛼𝛼 = = = 0.045 (1)
𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝜋𝜋×14
high precision. Using small machines for production Assumption the maximum workpiece mass m =
brings many advantages, saving space and electricity, 4kg, the external force is:
less vibration, reduced noise, high flexibility, and Fe= mg = 4x 9.81= 39,2 N (2)
easily relocated [18-19]. The main aims of the present
work are the development, analysis, manufacture, and The frictional force is:
assessment of a cost-effective, easy-to-use, flexible, Ff = (9.81)μm = 0.0981 N (3)
small-scale prototype 3-axis vertical CNC laboratory The total force
milling machine developed, which was developed for F = Fe+ Ff = 39.3 N (4)
student experiments in CNC and CAD/CAM The tangential force is [20-21]:
programming areas. The machine produced must have Ft = F x[tan α+ tan β]/ [1-tan α x tan β] = 1.864N
a simple interface, be easy to use, receive the common (5)
G-codec, have low power consumption, and be safe The torque required for the table screw rotation is:
and durable. Prototypes produced have been calibrated T= Ft x(d/2)+ μ FtR= 1.864x7+ 39.3x7x0.0025=
and self-tested to meet industry standards. 13.74 N-mm (6)
The speed of the table lead screw N= 40 rpm and
P= Tx𝜔𝜔 = 0.137 x 4.2 = 0.57544W . (7)

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 3. Manufacture of a CNC machine Some CNC machine parts are fabricated by the 3D
Figure 2 shows the design of axes motions in CNC printing method, as illustrated in Figure 4, while some
machine. Its structure had the Z-axis fixed in the study, remaining components such as lead screws, nuts, and
and the workpiece was controlled to move up and bearings are purchased as standard products available
down. The fixed part consists of the machine base and in the market.
the Z-axis driving mechanism attachment. The Fig.4 : Fabricate some parts from 3D printer
workpiece is placed on the machine table and can
move freely in the X- and Y-axis directions in the 4. The hardware and software system
horizontal plane using the standard actuators. The For the optimization, cost savings and fabrication
motor is attached to the lead screw. The tool holder simplification, all circuits are standard in the market,
carries the machining tool to perform the movement in including the Arduino Uno boards, as shown in Figure
the Z-axis (vertical axis). To make a cost-effective 4.
CNC machine model, we choose the option of the
workpiece to move in the Y-direction. It has the
advantage of being easier to manufacture, and the
machine part is also relatively compact, serving mainly
in study and research.

Fig.4 : The diagram for electronics system

With Arduino, we can build electronic applications

that interact with each other through software and
hardware support. For example, GRBL is an open-
source software or trigger program that controls the
movements of a CNC machine. We can easily install
the GRBL program for Arduino to have a low-cost and
high-performance CNC controller right away. GRBL
uses G-code as an input signal, and an output signal is
Fig. 2: The stainless-steel linear movement guides rods used to control motion via Arduino. Control board:
Arduino CNC shield V3 is an expansion shield for
The workpiece plan moves on the Y axis, and the Arduino Uno, allowing to control engraving machines.
tool moves along the X and Z axes. The fixed part Laser, CNC milling machine, or mini 3D printer.
includes the machine frame (or platform), the sliding Arduino CNC shield V3 enables control of up to 4
axes, the motor, and the transmission mechanism of stepper motors via the A4988 or DRV8825 driver
the X and Y axes. Set of the machine frame consist in (with jumpers to control the stepper motor in the whole
both X-axis and Y-axis attached on the sliders fixed to step, half step, 1/4, 1/8, or 1/16 mode). Shield Arduino
the structure, the Z-axis slides on the X-axis, so there CNC – to connect the stepper motor controller to the
is a slider, a motor, and a transmission mechanism of Arduino, the simplest way is to use the Arduino CNC
the Z-axis. On the Z-axis, there is a tool holder shield. They use all the pins of the Arduino and provide
mechanism. The belt transmission is used to drive the easiest way to connect to everything, stepper
between the shafts in order to save costs, easy motors, spindles, limit switches, heatsinks. In terms of
maintenance, and smooth operation, as shown in software, the machine uses the Arduino IDE (Arduino
Figure 3. Integrated Development Environment), which is a text
editor that helps users write code to load into the
Arduino board.

5. Result and discussion

The complete model of the machine is shown in
Figure 5. The machine is in good working order; there
is no error in operation. The machine is easy to
disassemble, convenient for replacing parts of the
machine. When the machine is in process, the noise is
not too loud, does not affect the surrounding
environment, and does not cause pollution. The
Fig. 3: The belt drive machine has full essential functions as an industrial

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