ShapeOko
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ShapeOko Basic Data Category: CNC carving machine URL (first publication): https://wiki.shapeoko.com/ License: Project status:
Technical documentation Maturity of the project:
no no
Other
Assembly instructions are editable: Bill of materials is editable: Design files are in original format: No Free redistribution is allowed licence: No
Project management
Open-o-meter: 0 Product category: Hardware Contains original non-electronic hardware: Contains original electronic hardware: Contains original software: |
Description
Ayo! If you're looking at this project, you probably think a low cost simple desktop CNC machine is as cool as we do. Sweet. It's always nice to meet like minded people!
CNC is an acronym for Computer Numerical Control. Growing out of the sorts of numerical controls used to control looms and mills manufacturing helicopter blades (see CNC History), affordable computers and clever programming (see Grbl) and opensource electronics have made CNC affordable at a hobby-level.
The Shapeoko is a 3-axis CNC machine kit. It is intended to provide basic functionality while being simple to understand, assemble, and operate --- all this at the best possible value. The stock configuration forgoes many features that are standard in more expensive machines (but many can be added as upgrades). This imposes limitations that the user has to work around. Despite this, or maybe because of this, many people with no prior experience with CNC, woodworking, or machining have successfully assembled and operated Shapeoko machines. Like most things in life, what you get out of it reflects the effort, preparation and patience you are willing to exert. We strongly suggest that you start by assembling and using the machine in its stock configuration. This makes troubleshooting via e-mail and the forums easier; more importantly, it provides you with valuable experience for implementing any planned upgrades.
Have a look around the DIY CNC scene and you will notice the lack of simple, low cost, straight forward build options. We want to fix that. For the last four years we have been designing, redesigning, and building what we hope to be a CNC machine that anyone can build for the lowest possible price (about $300 in 2012--3 with a bit of patience and luck in sourcing parts and w/o two upgrades (dual-motors and double X-axis) which are now standard, a full kit (sans spindle) for the much improved Shapeoko 3 is currently $1,099). Did I mention that cost even includes the electronics to run the machine? Unlike other projects where you can blow a significant budget on just the frame and maybe motors, ShapeOko includes everything you will need to turn your ideas from just a crazy thought into a tangible item.
If nothing else, this project is open. Nobody wants to get locked into some proprietary platform, and nobody wants to spend their money on a machine just to learn they will need to spend another $500 on software to run it. With that in mind, we built the entire process around open source components. From CAD and CAM software to the CNC controller; every step has an open source solution. Did we mention the entire project itself is open source? Every nut, every bolt, every belt, fully documented with part numbers and vendor list. Do with it as you please!
+ General Reviews 
Public cad repository for non-electronic hardware
Public cad repository for electronic hardware
Assembly instructions
Bill of materials
Link github
Link grabcad
Link media wiki
