Summary

In this chapter, you have seen a design for a versatile type of purpose-built CNC machine that runs faster than a 3018 for laser cutting and plotting. The same machine also can be applied as a drag knife cutter. Because this is a belt-driven machine and the toolheads are very light, they can operate much faster than the 3018 for these functions. That is not to say that the 3018 in all those modes doesn’t work, but you get added utility and the ability to run parallel, unrelated jobs rather than tying up your machine to run those same jobs in series. More importantly, this kind of machine can have its work area adjusted by simply changing the dimensions of the two larger extrusions. The limit to this is how much the machine can take the way it is without tipping over (the Y-axis mount stabilizes it). However, I built a machine recently that adds a second 2040 extrusion, feet, and X-axis carriage that supports the Y axis on both ends and there is no change in the software...