12/8/2025 5 PM - making the base

Hi ! I started by designing the base of my CNC mill/plotter in Fusion 360 , I used 20×20 T-slot aluminum extrusion. The frame measures about 239.5 × 200 mm, and I added 3D-printed brackets to hold everything firmly in place

12/8/2025 7:01 PM - Added the x movement

so I designed a 3D-printed shaft-support brackets to hold the two guide rods for the X-axis. They keep the rods aligned, and I’ll add the platform next.

12/8/2025 7:43 PM - FINISHED THE PLATFORM

SO I finally added the platform added the platform everything going well For now hopefully i design the y axis in the next hour hopefully but i would still need 3d models of some component like the spindle , the extrusion etc

12/8/2025 8:00 PM - Z axis

made the Z axis structure i just used the same component next goal is to make the Z platform where will be the Y axis and the spindle or the module or whatever ...

12/8/2025 8:52 PM - Y axis

Me again I’ve finished designing the platform for the Z-axis, and now I’m moving on to modeling the Y-axis for my CNC mill/plotter project this where i will make it modular

12/8/2025 10 PM - finished the design

after 2 hours i finally finished making this cnc milling machine im so exhausted + i need to recheck those stepper motor and their support . tomoroww i will try to make the controller, the github repo and the BOM

12/9/2025 9 AM - WHOLE REMAKE

I didn't like it cuz it was so small SO i stayed all night making this cnc router thats now modular just swap the head !! its better its bigger and yellow which is also cool. ill make a bom and a repo !

12/9/2025 12 PM - made the bom and repo

just created a repo for this project added a readme.md , the cad files ( with the full assembly ) and Bill Of Material next task is probably making the electronics

12/10/2025 5 PM - changed the layout

I shortened the frame to save money and i reinforced the Y axis extrusion with a 20mm plate since i changed the whole layout the dimensions now are 469*400mm

plate moving

12/10/2025 8 PM - finishing touches

i made some final changes to the design ( fillets etc... ) also changed the readme.md . Now i can hop onto the next task making the pcb

the final design

bare bone

the 3d printed components

12/11/2025 2 AM - made the cnc shield 1

I researched the available drivers and chose the DRV8825 because it handles higher current and offers finer microstepping. I finished the schematic, then routed the PCB. It took me three attempts, but I eventually settled on this design. i will probably upgrade or even change it since i m not a big fan of the layout nor screw terminal this took so much time i know its simple but im not that good in electrical engineering.

schematics

pcb layout

3d view

12/11/2025 7 AM - some change to the shield

Added proper 2-pin connector for adjusting the micro-stepping then made 2 socket pin for the limit switch mod. Also added a screw terminal for the big emergency stop button so it can cut the 24V line instantly. Makes the CNC safer and way less sketchy.

12/11/2025 9 AM - fixed the repo

made a logo using canva and enlarged the bom then added the price in dollar and mad
made a name for this project, updated the cad file ( SCD-CNC which stand for Super Cool Desktop CNC)

12/11/2025 12 PM - firmware

the cnc is going to run Grbl _ Esp32 firmware i added it in the repo
added pin configuration ( pins_scdc.h ) in the firmware folder
also added the gerber of the cnc shield from kicad

12/11/2025 8 PM - some change

PCB

• Cleaned up the layout and added proper mounting holes so the board can be fixed down
• added some arts (m4 and blueprint logo)

Repo

• Made a KiCad folder and added the Gerber files. Tweaked the CAD folder too(screws , brackets and lead screw nut). Also added a new PCB section in the README.md so everything look Nicer .
• added a whole render folder in the repo
• researched a PSU since i forgot about it then added it to the BoM

12/11/2025 9 PM - PSU case

RENDER OF BOTH THE CNC AND PSU

this look fire

THE CASE

Made a 3D-printed power supply case in Fusion 360 and mounted it on the CNC. It actually came out looking really good!! I dropped the STL into the repo under the 3D-printable folder so it’s all organized.

12/11/2025 11 PM - Controlling Grbl_ESP32

I’ll be controlling the CNC through Universal G-Code Sender. The whole setup will be accessible through a Web-UART interface, so I can run it directly from a browser without needing a dedicated PC.

12/12/2025 12 PM - Working on modularity

I added a laser module to the machine. Swapping between the milling head and the laser head is really easy:

1.Remove the four mounting screws.

2.Take off the spindle and the 3D-printed front cover.

3.Place the laser module in position and secure it using the four screw holes

4.install the 3D-printed cover.

And just like that. The machine is ready for engraving.

12/12/2025 2 PM - Last touches (hopefully)

- Repo

• Added links in BoM section (Readme.md)
• Included links in BOM.csv
• Implemented the full journal.md
• Improved the README :D

Please reviewer, could I get tickets instead of a grant? I’m in a tough spot with exams and spent all of this week building this CNC. (i really need to lock in)

3D printer here i come (:

12/13/2025 - Re clarification

As I said I'm not going to build this I only want those tickets not a grant ( for 3d printer) because I have so much going on please just give me those tickets 🙏😭

12/29/2025 - re-reclarification

i will re submit this project since tickets now are not given unless you build your project physically so i will try to get grants to build it and make it in real life

1/24/2026 - buying the parts

After a lot of troubleshooting, I finally managed to place my order. exciting, right? I’m expecting to receive it between February 11 and 20.

stay tuned!

2/8/2026 3 PM - Edit

shipping

90% of the components arrived today. I'm still waiting for some to arrive to start the Assembly of the SCD CNC i hope everything go smoothly

2/8/2026 7 PM - fixed the cnc shield

well i totally re-designed the cnc shield to be able to slide in the arduino furthermore i also added some cool decal i sent it to get manufactured at ALL pcb

2/9/2026 10 AM - Major Changes

After talking with a professional CAD designer, I was told the same thing that Samliu mentioned as well 3D-printed components are too weak unless you increase their size or switch to a different material.
So I decided to replace the parts that were judged inadequate, and I spent the entire night redesigning the cnc.

2/9/2026 5 PM - lubricating the linear bearing

i received the linear bearing (lm6uu) and they fit perfectly on the 6mm shaft 7 of them glide great but the last 3 are rough (probably defective) I tried lubricating them and saw a minor improvement ill see if i can do something if not i will re-order 3 replacement ):

2/10/2026 - The 3d printed part arrived

I just received the 3d printed components but when I tried to press fit the linear bearing ... well guess 11.9mm was too small so I spent 1h sanding.
The 608zz bearing was fitted easily since I knew the diameter. Im still waiting for some ali express part to arrive

2/13/2026 - last delivery scheduled tomorrow

i received 99% of the component i only need 2 more to start assembly i need the 6mm shaft support that will holder the platform and the round screws and thats it tomorrow i will go cut all the metal to their respective size and start to assemble

2/15/2026 - Assembly

I received all the components and started the assembly process. It didn’t begin smoothly. I had to search everywhere for long M3 screws (which felt impossible to find). Eventually, I found someone selling them locally. I also went to a workshop where I cut all my rods and aluminum extrusions to the correct dimensions.

Base Frame Assembly

I started by assembling the base frame. The T-slot screws were extremely difficult to tighten properly I probably spent nearly an hour just to make sure the base was securely fastened.

Vertical Extrusion Assembly

Next, I assembled the vertical aluminum extrusion that supports the Z-axis structure.

Z-Carriage Assembly

I then assembled the Z-carriage. This step went very smoothly it is probably my best designed part of the entire build.

Z-Axis Linear Shaft Installation

I installed the 6mm end shaft supports, inserted the 6mm linear shafts, and carefully slid the Z-carriage into place.

Stepper Motor Mounting (Z-Axis)

I mounted the stepper motor using the 3D-printed support bracket.

At this stage, the entire top assembly was completed.

Lead Screw & Final Shaft Support Assembly

Next, I mounted the end shaft support (SK6), installed the 6mm shaft, and assembled the lead screw with the stepper motor and its 3D-printed mount.

Final Frame Integration

Finally, I mounted the completed top assembly onto the base frame.

That concludes the work completed for this day.

I still need to find or order the correct lead screw nut, since I mistakenly ordered the wrong pitch. I will try to source it locally; otherwise, I will reorder it from AliExpress. I also need to mount the moving platform.

more pics

2/17/2026 - Mounting the platform and running the cnc

For the platform, I cut some wood that I had laying around then sanded it. As of now I only have 2 axis working I tested them the lead screw had some run-out but I fixed it now I only need 1 nut for the lead screw to hopefully finish this project 🙏 😭

2/20/2026 2 PM - First Gcode run

After I finally got the last piece I needed for my CNC, I mounted it onto the Y-axis platform and started working on the electronics.

I plugged everything in carefully and made sure the polarity was correct because I didn’t want to fry anything on the first try. Once everything was connected

, I made a simple circle in G-code just to test the machine.

It went really bad. The movement was shaky and messy, and it didn’t look anything like a circle. So I started checking everything one by one. I noticed the platform was kind of loose and was jumping while moving, so I tightened it. Then I realized the vertical aluminum extrusion wasn’t fully secure either. After that, I basically tightened the whole machine. Almost every bolt needed more tightening.

After doing that, the machine felt way more solid. The vibrations were reduced a lot, and it moved smoother. I’d say it improved the rigidity by around 30%. When I tested it again, it was clearly better.

Then I designed a crescent moon shape and ran it. The result was okay. Not perfect, but definitely not terrible either. It was good enough to see that the machine was improving.

Later, I removed the 775 spindle motor and replaced it with a pen to test plotting instead of cutting. I just wanted to see the motion without worrying about cutting forces. When I ran the program, it actually drew a circle properly.
That felt really good because it showed that the movement system was finally working the way it should.

With that final test done and the circle coming out clean, I can officially call this project complete. Everything runs the way it should, the structure is solid, and the motion is smooth. It started as a pile of parts and problems, but now it’s a fully working machine.

Mission accomplished. Ready to ship.

2/20/2026 10 PM - Improvements

So you want to make this cnc here are some suggestions i would give you :

• instead of using 6mm shaft use 8 or bigger diameter shafts
• The LM6UU linear bearings I ordered are very small, which makes them difficult to work with during manufacturing and increases the chances of ending up with a non-functional result. I would recommend using larger bearings or switching entirely to linear rails for better reliability
• More infill on 3d printed parts i recommend printing with 40% infill
• Use 40x40 aluminium extrusion
• sturdier z axis carriage

all these suggestions would improve the SCD-CNC milling quality :>

3/2/2026 - Getting things to work better

After quite a lot of tightening screws I decided to replace the spoilboard with something more beautiful and straight it did require some sanding not gonna lie I then bought some wood screw and decided to replace the plastic zippers fixing the Y platform guess what, Rigidity improved(duh) the play in the Y axis is now less than 1mm I also oiled up 😭 the bearings, shafts and the lead screws for smoother ride also had the z axis not fixed it was glued but now it's properly tightened with screw i believe the play in the z axis is the biggest ( 2.5-3mm) because I only have 2 linear bearing instead of 4 well that's it