MIE243 – Mechanical Engineering Design

4 Month (Sept. 2024 – Present)

MIE243 – Mechanical Engineering Design

Final Project – Hobbyist CNC Design

After evaluating the candidate designs, Candidate 1 was chosen for its low cost, minimal custom components, and simple functionality, making it ideal for a hobbyist CNC machine. The final design uses square tube aluminum framing for a spacious 5 ft x 5 ft working area and employs a belt-driven system for the X and Y axes. This cost-effective power transmission method avoids the high cost of machined racks and reduces alignment issues.

To control costs, rolling bearings in the X and Z-axis carriers were replaced with affordable copper bushings, which slightly increased friction but significantly reduced expenses. The spindle mount, attached to the X-axis carrier, uses a belt-driven lead screw powered by a smaller NEMA-17 motor to cut costs further. An 80mm spindle mount, sourced from Amazon, accommodates the 2.2 kW spindle needed for cutting aluminum.

This project directly relates to my career path by providing hands-on experience in the entire engineering design process, from CAD modelling to detailed cost analysis and research. I also gained valuable experience operating CNC machines, which deepened my understanding of designing parts to be more compatible and efficient for CNC manufacturing. Contributing to every aspect of the project honed my skills in creating cost-effective and manufacturable designs, which are key competencies for a career in robotics, manufacturing automation, or developing novel technologies.