Desktop 3-Axis CNC Milling Machine

I designed and built a 3-Axis CNC machine to help bring future projects to the next level by giving me the ability to machine Aluminum components in-house. My goal was to deepen my understanding of mechanical design, design for manufacturing & assembly (DFM, DFA) and to create a machine capable of machining accurate aluminum components.

Following the Engineering Design process, I began by researching CNC machine designs created by both companies and individuals to identify common design challenges and their solutions. Based on this research, I created several sketches of my CNC designs to visualize and anticipate any potential issues. Once I had a clear concept, I developed a detailed CAD model using SIEMENS NX.

When I was confident in the design, I employed rapid prototyping methods, such as 3D printing, to build the machine. I repeated the engineering process multiple times, each iteration allowing me to apply the lessons learned from previous designs to improve the next version.