Design of a desktop milling machine for fabrication in an introductory machine shop class

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to design, fabricate and test the electromechanical subsystem of a CNC milling machine kit. Unlike all other CNC kits on the market, the purpose of this kit is to teach students the principles of electro mechanics during its construction and to teach the principles of CNC machining during its operation. The design process and final designs of both the software and electronic subsystems are described and evaluated. The CNC kit is assembled using off-the-shelf, easy-to-use electronic elements. The software is programmed using Matlab, a common and easy to program software system purchased for all students by MIT. The outline for a course in which this kit could be taught is given, including sample code and circuit schematics.