Design and Implementation of 3 Axis CNC Router for Computer Aided Manufacturing Courses

¹ Yıldız Technical University, Department of Mechatronics Engineering, 34349 Istanbul, Turkey
² Marmara University, Department of Mechatronics Engineering, 34722 Istanbul, Turkey
³ Istanbul Technical University, Department of Control and Automation Engineering, 34469 Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract

In this paper, it is intended to make the mechanical design of 3 axis Computer Numerical Control (CNC) router with linear joints, production of electronic control interface cards and drivers and manufacturing of CNC router system which is a combination of mechanics and electronics. At the same time, interface program has been prepared to control router via USB. The router was developed for educational purpose. In some vocational schools and universities, Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) courses are though rather theoretical. This situation cause ineffective and temporary learning. Moreover, students at schools which have the opportunity to apply for these systems can face with various dangerous accidents. Because of this situation, these students start to get knowledge about this system for the first time. For the first steps of CNC education, using smaller and less dangerous systems will be easier. A new concept CNC machine and its user interface suitable and profitable for education have been completely designed and realized during this study. To test the validity of the hypothesis which the benefits that may exist on the educational life, enhanced traditional education method with the contribution of the designed machine has been practiced on CAM course students for a semester. At the end of the semester, the new method applied students were more successful in the rate of 27.36 percent both in terms of verbal comprehension and exam grades.