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Buy CNC Robotics: Build Your Own Workshop Bot by Geoff Williams available and for sale on Brightsurf
| View Larger Image | CNC Robotics: Build Your Own Workshop Bot
by Geoff Williams
| | List Price: | $34.95 | | Price: | $25.51 | | You Save: | $9.44 (27%) |  | | Available: | Usually ships in 24 hours | | | | | Sales Rank: | 277935 | | Studio: | McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics | | | Binding: | Paperback | | Number Of Pages: | 311 | | Publication Date: | May 08, 2003 | | Publisher: | McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics |
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EDITORIAL REVIEWS |
Product Description
Here's the FIRST book to offer step-by-step guidelines that walk the reader through the entire process a building a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine from start to finish. Using inexpensive, off-the-shelf parts, readers can build CNC machines with true industrial shop applications such as machining, routing, and cutting--at a fraction of what it would cost to purchase one.
* Great for anyone who wants to automate a task in their home shop or small business
* Easy-to-use Windows-based software controls the robotic automation
* Builders can scale and customize the machine to suit their own industrial needs
* Numerous tips, tricks, and pictorials walk the reader through every step--design, construction, and completion |
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 3.0 based on 14 reviews)
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Good book 
Seeing the not so great reviews of this book I almost did not buy the book.
You will definitely need to find your own way through this project but this book is really informative. The author surely knows what he is talking about and its a fun read.
December 22, 2006 | |
Ridiculously bad book 
Hard to give justice in words alone to exactly how bad this book is. A full review requires much gesturing, cursing and the throwing of objects.
You can find much more useful information online.
Books this bad are criminal acts of fraud.
March 14, 2006 | |
Go to HobbyCNC dot com instead. Much better plans 
There are too many major flaws in this book. He builds his machine with a Nu-Arc camera positioner. How is anyone else supposed to find this exact model? Probably the worst part are the IC logic and driver chips. You will not be able to put this together unless you are already an experienced electronic technician.
He shows you a schematic with some seemingly 80's era integrated circuits. (Judging by the xerox-looking images and misspelled words). These chips are hopelessly out of date. Modern chips have built in protective diodes, so you won't have to search all of creation for the ones his plans require. The way to go is to by a driver kit for $20 from Electronickits.com. (You'll need 3 of these).
Some things he did made me wonder why:
1) Why have so many little jumper points on the boards for options that are unlikely to be used? I bought wire connectors for these unneccessarily. He didn't list mini-jumpers in the parts list. Only after very carefully studying the pictures, can you see what he is doing.
2) On page 4 he says he was impressed by how nice the Pac-Sci stepper motor people were to him when they were selling him his motors. On page 14 he says that he's not using Pac-Sci motors! Why? What happened? We paid some bones for this book and we want to learn from his experience. There just isn't enough explaining in this book.
On the good side is that this book will teach you how easy it is to make your own circuit boards: Laser paper and an iron. You have to experiment a little, but it is very satisfying to know that you will be able to make your own boards if the need arises. I found that removing the paper while it is still hot will deposit enough "resist". No need to soak in water. The chemicals aren't really that nasty (even Radio Shack sells them). Just use warm water instead of a burner and wait longer than you otherwise might. BTW if you already own this book take a look at the lower picture on page 102. I had to wonder why is he using a different resist pattern than the one he wants us to use. He should be consistent between his photos and what we're supposed to do.
I think that Dave Rigotti's book is much much better. He will personally give you advice through his Yahoo site. And, it's "cozy". By that I mean there aren't 5000 things on the site to get everything confused. His is more focused.
I'd give this book a 1, but I did learn how to make my own PCB's and he also recommends a decent CAD CAM software (KCam).
April 29, 2005 | |
Disappointed - Many details left out.
I was very disappointed that many important details were left out. Anyone who does a little research on the internet and has seen a CNC router knows the basics of what makes up a machine. What the book promised were the details of how to build your own. The details and parts lists were left out. Those are the critical items. Your money would be much better spent buying a good set of plans from the internet. There are many bulletin boards and web sites that have good information. Research them.
March 14, 2004 | |
Not the Best
This book is NOT what was promised. The parts list is very lacking..you must be very familliar with electronics just to be able to order the parts..specifications would have been nice. Labeling and numbering the circuit boards would have saved tons of time. I did get a set of boards built that will run the stepper motors..I believe most of the information is correct but very hard to understand and follow..a few more wiring diagrams or more complete schematics would have been a great improvement. I could write a book on how to use this book and I have not started the gantry yet. It would have been nice to have more advice on motor selection and what it takes to drive what..too much left to guesswork.
December 21, 2003 | |
SIMILAR PRODUCTS |
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