CNC Hexapod I just found this interesting video of a Hexapod drawing with a pen, which the robot's creator intends to replace with a CNC routing head. [www.youtube.com] This is pretty much a subtractive reprap, considering that it draws one of its own parts in the video. Having a reprap capable of moving itself presents some interesting possibilities, namely that it is capable of having infinite tool heads without a complex tool head switching mechanism. Also, having six legs means that 2 of them can assist in assembly. Because it can move, it might be able to make it capable of autonomously searching for resources needed for replication. Just imagine what a swarm of these things could do! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,10765#msg-10765 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 07:08:03 -0500 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,65187#msg-65187 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,65187#msg-65187 ALI TAGHAVI Mechanics Mon, 01 Nov 2010 08:02:46 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,13199#msg-13199 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,13199#msg-13199
M@]]> winchymatt Mechanics Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:53:46 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,13198#msg-13198 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,13198#msg-13198 brucew Mechanics Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:26:42 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,13196#msg-13196 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,13196#msg-13196
Keep the videos coming.. and Forrest is right... Post in the Blog....

I want one of these my cat would love to play with it. If I had a cat that is.

Bruce W.]]> brucew Mechanics Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:19:50 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,13152#msg-13152 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,13152#msg-13152 winchymatt Mechanics Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:30:11 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,13136#msg-13136 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,13136#msg-13136
[builders.reprap.org]

Have you thought about hanging a Mk II extruder onto your hexapod and additively printing stuff rather than milling objects? I think it would be really cool to try that. :)-D]]> Forrest Higgs Mechanics Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:30:21 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,13132#msg-13132 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,13132#msg-13132
Cutting 3D face

To cut the face I did three passes:
1) roughing cut
2) X raster finish
3) Y raster finish.

The face took just under 30 minutes to produce.]]> winchymatt Mechanics Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:21:22 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,13048#msg-13048 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,13048#msg-13048
I made a few improvements to the software that streams the data to the hexapod.. including a stop button! The cutter was the same, 1/8 ball nose. After a roughing cut, I did a raster pass with 1mm step, and a second raster pass in the opposite direction with 0.8mm step.



I could use a smaller ball nose cutter to get a finer finish, but I think I'm approaching the limitations of the robots resolution.



I will edit the video and upload when I have time.
]]> winchymatt Mechanics Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:07:44 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,12939#msg-12939 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,12939#msg-12939
... very impressive!

I want to output cartesian 3D-data (X,Y,Z) with a vertically oriented tripod ( [builders.reprap.org] - look at "Assembling the Tripod"), so it's a similar problem.

Can you help me with the conversion?

Viktor]]> VDX Mechanics Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:52:56 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,12937#msg-12937 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,12937#msg-12937


I admit its not great, but you can kind of make out the eyes, nose and mouth.. kind of. The large 1/8" scar on the face was caused by operator error!

I will post a video of this process some time after the weekend, and try another test next week.
]]> winchymatt Mechanics Fri, 06 Jun 2008 07:44:48 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,12899#msg-12899 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,12899#msg-12899
I guessing it's not open source :(]]> Ian Adkins Mechanics Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:52:09 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,12882#msg-12882 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,12882#msg-12882
Original and larger New part


Close up of the cut edge.

]]> winchymatt Mechanics Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:23:19 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,12845#msg-12845 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,12845#msg-12845
Ok, so its only polystyrene, but its a start :)



A couple of improvements were made to the router since my last post, most significantly I had a colleague make me up an dremel collet adaptor to fit directly onto the motor shaft, much better than my brass grub screw style colet.

For these two videos I'm using a 1/16" two flute slot cutter, the router is running at approx 35,000 Rpm, the additional battery on the to of the hex is a 12V NiMh 4500mah pack just to run the router. DXF files are loaded in to artcam where G-code tool paths are created. Due to the 10mm thickness of the poly and the cutter only being 6mm long, I chose to do two passes on the workpiece, this also shows that although the resolution is low, repeatability is good enough for multiple passes. Material is held down by the weight of the hexapod, which is current;y 4.3Kg with the router and additional battery pack.

CNC Cut Poly Square

CNC Cut Poly Femure - 2 pass cut

You may notice in the picture of the poly femur with the hole left in the poly, the hole has a cleaner cut edge than the cut piece. This is due to the fcat that foam and poly cuts better in a reverse direction, however, I forgot and generated the tool paths for a normal cut direction.

I also tried to cut 2mm ABS, however, this caused too much vibration in the tool, which in turn loosened the colet allowing the tool to slip out and cut too deep into the ABS. A square was cut, but not terribly accurate, some work needed yet!


]]> winchymatt Mechanics Thu, 05 Jun 2008 07:29:05 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,11329#msg-11329 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,11329#msg-11329
I think one of the guys at work s going to make one for me in exchange of some tech services :)

Matt.]]> winchymatt Mechanics Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:28:44 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,11328#msg-11328 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,11328#msg-11328 9x20lathe.blogspot.com] , it's 7mm diameter and 40 threads per inch. It'd be tough to find a die for that.

Might be easier to buy just the collet and make your own nut by drilling a hole in an 3/8" acorn nut.

(thinks about it for a bit)

OK, try this:
- take a 3/8" carriage bolt, cut off the head but leaving plenty of unthreaded stock
- drill a 3/16" hole in the threaded end, at least 5/8" deep
- take a 3/8" acorn nut and drill a 3/16" hole in it

That should take a standard Dremel collet.]]> degroof Mechanics Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:17:38 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,11326#msg-11326 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,11326#msg-11326
Here is an example of a tap and die set...you don't have to get them as a set usually you can just get the "wrench" and the die you need for the job.

[www.dansmc.com]]]> ronanwarrior Mechanics Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:30:37 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,11317#msg-11317 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,11317#msg-11317
thanks for the link, this gives me all the information I need to give it a go! cheers :)]]> winchymatt Mechanics Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:34:27 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,11314#msg-11314 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,11314#msg-11314
Matt.]]> winchymatt Mechanics Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:27:54 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,11312#msg-11312 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,11312#msg-11312 > I would like to find a collet chuck that I could
> fit to the 1/8" spindle shaft, anybody know of
> anything suitable?
>
How about picking up a Dremel collet and collet nut set (part# 4485)? A piece of round stock, drilled and threaded, could be used to attach it to the spindle. Looks like this guy [9x20lathe.blogspot.com] managed to get one to fit.]]> degroof Mechanics Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:07:12 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,11309#msg-11309 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,11309#msg-11309 Forrest Higgs Mechanics Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:58:43 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,11308#msg-11308 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,11308#msg-11308
I have nearly finished making the routing head for my CNC hexapod, and I have added the ability for the control software to read g-code, so 3D routing should be possible :)



I would like to find a collet chuck that I could fit to the 1/8" spindle shaft, anybody know of anything suitable?

Matt Denton
micromagic systems
]]> winchymatt Mechanics Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:49:27 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,10778#msg-10778 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,10778#msg-10778 Forrest Higgs Mechanics Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:14:11 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,10773#msg-10773 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,10773#msg-10773



SUPERSIZED!!!!!]]> redskinsjbs Mechanics Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:51:33 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,10771#msg-10771 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,10771#msg-10771 Gene Hacker Mechanics Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:48:23 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,10766#msg-10766 Re: CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,10766#msg-10766 nophead Mechanics Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:42:02 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,10765#msg-10765 CNC Hexapod https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?14,10765,10765#msg-10765 [www.youtube.com]
This is pretty much a subtractive reprap, considering that it draws one of its own parts in the video. Having a reprap capable of moving itself presents some interesting possibilities, namely that it is capable of having infinite tool heads without a complex tool head switching mechanism. Also, having six legs means that 2 of them can assist in assembly.

Because it can move, it might be able to make it capable of autonomously searching for resources needed for replication. Just imagine what a swarm of these things could do!]]> Gene Hacker Mechanics Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:18:48 -0400