🛠️ Small 4-Axis CNC Machine Building Guide: From Kit to Operation

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Concept: An illustration showing the main parts of a 4-axis CNC machine unassembled, such as the frame, stepper motor, milling head, control board, and rotary axis, clearly arranged.

🛠️ Small 4-Axis CNC Machine Building Guide: From Kit to Operation

This content provides a complete guide to building a small 4-axis Computer Numerical Control (CNC) milling machine, perfect for hobbyists, learning, or prototyping at the desktop level.

This 4-axis CNC machine has the ability to mill more complex workpieces than standard 3-axis machines because it can only rotate the workpiece around a single axis (the A-axis), enabling the carving or milling of delicate three-dimensional shapes.

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1. ⚙️ Essential Components

Building a 4-axis CNC machine from a kit requires an understanding of the main hardware and software components:

type	Component	Role and responsibilities
structure	Frame	They are often made from extruded aluminum (Aluminum Extrusion) for strength and light weight.
	Rails & Leadscrews	Linear Rails for precise movement and Leadscrews/Ball Screws for driving the X, Y, Z axes.
Driven	Stepper Motors	Motors drive each axis (X, Y, Z, and A axis), providing highly accurate position control.
	Spindle	The rotating part of the cutter (Cutter/End Mill) to cut the material should be selected in a size appropriate to the material to be cut.
control	Controller Board	It is like the brain of the machine, usually using a board that supports CNC firmware such as Arduino Uno + CNC Shield or other specialized boards.
	Motor Drivers	A circuit that converts signals from the control board into electric current to drive a stepping motor.
4th Axis Kit	Rotary (Rotary Axis)	Rotating workpiece chuck assembly (A axis), which requires a stepping motor and driver specific to this axis.

2. 💻 Software used for work (CAD/CAM Software Workflow)

CNC machine operation relies on three main types of software:

Software type	initials	duty
Design	CAD (Computer-Aided Design)	Used to create 3D models of parts (e.g. Fusion 360, SketchUp).
Creating a toolpath	CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing)	It is used to define the milling path of the cutter head (Toolpath) and convert it to G-code (command code that the CNC machine understands).
Machine control	CNC Controller Software	Software on the computer that sends G-code to the control board (e.g. UGS - Universal Gcode Sender, Candle).

3. 🛠️ Assembly and Calibration Guide

Step 1: Mechanical Structure Assembly

1. Assemble the chassis: Carefully install the aluminum frame components according to the kit manual, making sure they are square and secure.

2. Install the slide rails and drive axes: Install the slide rails and ball screws for the X, Y, and Z axes.

3. Install the milling head (Spindle): Attach the milling head to the Z axis.

Step 2: Connecting the electronic system

1. Connect the control board: Install the motor driver onto the control board (such as CNC Shield).

2. Connect the motors: Connect the 4 axis stepping motors (X, Y, Z, A) to their respective drivers.

3. Connect Limit Switches: Install and wire limit switches to prevent the machine from moving beyond its limits.

4. Install the Rotary Axis (4th Axis): Install the rotary unit onto the worktable and connect the motor cable to the A-axis driver.

Step 3: Software Setup and Calibration

1. Firmware Upload: Upload CNC firmware (such as Grbl) to the control board.

2. Driver Settings: Adjust the Current Setting on the motor driver to suit each stepping motor.

3. Calibration:

   • Connect the computer to the control board via the control software (UGS/Candle).

   • Adjust the Steps per mm value for each axis (X, Y, Z, A) to ensure that the software-ordered movement distance matches the actual movement distance.

4. Functional Testing: Load simple G-code to test all 4 axis movement and test the function of the milling head.

This guide will help users convert the kit into a working 4-axis CNC machine, ready for complex prototyping.

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Machinery & Control	CNC Machine, 4-Axis CNC, Stepper Motors, Spindle, Rotary Axis (แกน A), Limit Switches, Controller Board
Usage	DIY Machine, Hobbyist, Prototyping, CNC Milling, Desktop CNC
software	G-code , CAD (Computer-Aided Design), CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing), CNC Controller Software (such as UGS, Candle), Firmware (such as Grbl)
Procedures & Customization	Kit Assembly, Electronic Wiring, Calibration , Steps per mm, Toolpath

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