If you have any interest in robotics, electronics, and DIY gadgetry, you already know what a CNC machine is. If, however, that particular acronym means nothing to you, then this Wikipedia article will give you a quick introduction to “Computer Numerical Control” machine tools. Basically, a CNC machine is a computer-controlled machine that moves a cutting tool in 2 or 3 dimensions, facilitating the creation of precise and elaborate designs in materials such as plastic, wood, foam, metal, paper, etc.
Industrial CNC machines can easily run into the thousands of dollars, but there exists an army of DIY-ers out there who have been building their own CNC machines on the cheap. The DIY CNC community is like any other open-source community out there in that they freely share expertise, advice, and designs.
One of the more interesting CNC machines I’ve come across is the MTM Snap from the MIT Center for Bits and Atoms. The MTM Snap is made from high-density polyethylene and, as the name suggests, simply snaps together like Lego. The projected cost for the entire rig, including stepper motors, Arduino, motor controllers, and power supply is about $500 USD, which is pretty reasonable for a good quality hobbyist CNC device. The Snap is a little small compared to other CNC designs, but still very useful for projects which are not overly ambitious in scope. As well, the snap-together design eliminates a lot of the hassle traditionally associated with CNC construction.
To get an idea of what the Snap can do, check out the demo video:
If you’re interested in CNC hardware but the price tag on a Snap is still too rich for you, it’s definitely possible to Frankenstein something very functional out of old printers and other junk hardware. There are plenty of resources on the Internet to draw upon for this, including the following:
