Abstract:
The purpose of the Self-Guided CNC project is to construct a functional CNC type machine
capable of tracking lines on and object to guide the armature in cutting the piece correctly. The
device would be capable of functioning independent of off-board computers for both operation
and determining cutting paths. The goal is not high-precision cuts, but an easy to use interface for
basic cuts.
Technical Merit:
The project would generate a multitude of engineering challenges and problems, which would
serve to provide experience in areas such as mechanical design and construction, embedded
C programming of microcontrollers, debugging, and sensor based navigation design. Problems
in these areas would require investigation and learning via research and experimentation which
would serve to educate.
Budget:
The estimated total cost of the project is $715, with the physical construction of the project
costing approximately $665 plus a guestimate of shipping of parts. The category breakdown of
cost is $260 for the physical structure of the machine, $175 for actuation components, $180 for
electrical components, and $50 for random connector parts possibly including printed parts.
Project Cost Estimations:
Structure Actuation Electronics Fabrication Software Other
$70 Rail $75 Stepper
Motors
$60 Arduino
Mega
$50 Random
connectors
$50?
Shipping
$30 Linear
Bearings
$80 Cutting
tool
$5
Potentiometers
$35 Fiberboard $20 Vacuum
pump
$5 Photoresistors
$100 belts* $6 ADC ICs
$5 Wood Glue