Building the KRMx02 CNC: The Illustrated Guide to Building a High Speed CNC Router

What is "Building the KRMx02 CNC"?

It's a workbook that takes you step-by-step through the process of building your very own High Speed, Heavy Duty CNC. As a bonus by purchasing the workbook edition from this site, you gain access to our private forums.

 

"No matter what your experience you can build this machine!"

 

 

 

 

The instructions for building the KRMx02 are in the form of a book. This book consists of 182 pages grouped into 16 chapters. The book will take you step by step through the process of building the KRMx02 CNC.

For more detail as to the actual contents of the book visit the "KRMx02 Book Content" page.

 

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What can I cut with a KRMx02 CNC?

Check this example page

 

KRMx02 Design Highlights

Universal Z-plate and K2cnc mount

The KRMx02 Z-plate supports K2CNC mounts available from K2CNC

Using K2CNC mounts, you can easily attache the following routers to your KRMx02 CNC.

Bosch 1617EVS Porter Cable 690 Porter Cable 892 Dewalt DW618 Hitachi M12VC Porter Cable PC7518 Makita RF1101

 

Exclusive Air Exchanger and Dust Shroud

The KRMx02 utilizing a K2CNC mount can utilize the Kronos Robotics Air Exchanger.

The AirExchanger has the following features:

• Diverts the cooling air from the router out the sides away from the bit
• Supports a dust shroud for easy debris extraction
• Supports a second wrench support for easy one handed bit changes
• Supports an optional LED light

 

Steel and Aluminum Construction

The KRMx02 utilizes 100% steel and aluminum construction.

The KRMx02 utilizes full aluminum clamp table. Its design lets you very easily create some very useful configurations.

 

The KRMx02 utilizes a low gantry with raised sides. This design creates a lower center of gravity and creates a more rigid design. The raised sides also keep debris off the rails.

 

 

CNC Specifications

The base size of KRMx02 has a 30" x 27" x 6" cutting capacity. The design allows you to cut pieces longer then 27" by sliding them through the table. The overall footprint is 56" x 46" x 73". The estimated weight is about 400lbs.

The KRMx02 will do rapids between 600IPM and 1000IPM without any tuning. After the breaking in the KRMx02 (30" x 27" build) and doing some fine tuning we were able to get rapids as high as 2000IPM. Your actual cutting speed will depend on the router and router bit used, material and type of cut.

 

What about the cost to build the KRMx02 CNC?

 

The estimated cost to build the 30" x 27" KRMx02 CNC is around $3500. This includes the K2CNC mount and a Hitachi router, controller, power supply and hookup cables and a Mach 3 license. Keep this in mind as many other builds do not include these items in their estimates.

As for time, it can take as little as a week or can be spread out over several months. The book is set up so that the chapters present the build in stages. And since the costs are tied to each chapter you can budget your time and funds.

Here is a complete breakdown the time, costs, and tools needed for each chapter.

 

 

 

Build Sizes and Costs

The KRMx02 was designed so that it can be built to any size. We supply a "Bill of Materials" for the following sizes.

 

18" x 14"

This is the machine we take to shows for demos. Of the three machines in the lab this little beauty is a favorite and can be built for as little as $2800. Ours is mounted on 5" castors.

 

30" x 27"

This is the base build described in the book. The other sizes are require changes to the lengths of certain components. These are listed in the forums. If you have limited space this may be the machine for you. The cost estimate to build this CNC is $3500.

 

50" x 27"

This is the base build with the X axis constructed to 50". This is good starting point, as the Y axis can be easy lengthened to 50" or 96" later with no change to the gantry. The cost estimate to build this CNC is $3900.

 

50" x 50"

This is the most popular build. It is large enough to support many projects, yet will still fit in most shops. The cost estimate to build this CNC is $4630.

 

50" x 102"

This is a monster. It utilizes the same gantry as the 50" x 27" and 50" x 50" so the need for larger electronics are not needed. The stand for this machine requires six support posts with leveling feet to properly support the machine. We also recommend solid Baltic birch panels in leu of the cross braces. The cost estimate to build this CNC is $5580.

 

Please be advised that the 18" x 14" and 30" x 27" machine sizes can be built by a single individual. The larger machines will require two or more individuals to aid in the assembly. Please note that the 50" gantry with the Z axis installed weighs about 300lbs.

When deciding on a machine size to build keep in mind that the build sizes given are the cutting sizes. The actual machine footprint will be larger.

 

Parts Bundles

While there is not a complet kit available for the various builds. There are extensive parts bundles available from a couple venders. The sources for these bundles as well as a bill of materials list for all the componets. The bill of materials includes sources, part numbers and in many cases direct links to the actual part.

 

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About the Illustrations

In order to properly illustrate the book, It was fully modeled in 3D with AutoCAD. Every thing down to the smallest washer was modeled. AutoCAD also allows the ability to to a lighted rendering like the clamp table shown below. Each chapter in the book starts out with a fully rendered drawing if the completed stage of that chapter.

 

 

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KRMx02 in Action

 

 

Need a stand? Check out this one.

 

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Purchase "Building the KRMx02 CNC" book