Machine Files
Machines That Make Machines
mtm-snap (at) mit (dot) edu

(c) Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2011 Permission granted for experimental and personal use. License for commercial sale available from MIT.

MTM SNAP

material, parts & tools:
Bill of Materials

files:

SNAP TEST FILE
MTM SNAP DXF for 18" x 36" x 12mm HDPE
SNAP TOGETHER TRAVEL CASE FOR YOUR MTM

ShopBot toolpath settings for 1/2" HDPE:

drilling:
tool: 3.1mm drill bit
plungerate: 10 inch/min
spindle speed: 2k rpm

milling:
tool: single flute up-spiral 1/8" endmill
pass depth: 1/8"
feedrate: 30 inch/min
plungerate: 15 inch/min
spindle speed: 14k rpm

Learn the basics of toolpathing with Partworks.

A forum for Partworks (aka Vectric Aspire) is here.

links:

Jameco
McMaster-Carr
Onsrud
ShopBot
Stock Drive Products

DIY Snap-Together Desktop CNC Milling Machine

So you want to make your own MTM Snap:

The Bill of Materials! updated OCT 21, 2011

First you will need to cut out the snap-together machine on a milling machine, you will need about 4 hours on a ShopBot. The DXF files are available on the left side of this page for the 12mm thick HDPE in our BOM. The type of cut and depth of cut is defined in the layers within the DXF file. The tool we use is included in the bill of materials.

Still coming... step by step assembly instructions.
Here now: electronics and software instructions.

  • Electronics which motors and how to drive them
  • Software how to make your MTM snap move using G-code You can read a little about the mechanical design of the machine (and see pictures of cnc hardware) here: Mechanical

    We made a snap-together HDPE travel case for the snap-together desktop machine. This makes it easy to carry on planes, trains, and buses.