| Yellow Tag Tool
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| Contact Owner Before Using
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🚨 This is an ongoing project, tool is not functional yet 🚨
Project Objectives
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The following is the list of design goals and hoped-for features.
Core Objectives
- Build a CNC machine capable of milling acrylic or pressboard - the standard backing board of the ubiquitous inexpensive clipboard.
- Build the machine using mostly salvaged and found parts.
- Machine should operate using a standard Arduino Uno board, with the standard CNC expansion board kit.
- Workflow should be possible from
 Inventables Easel to Universal Gcode Sender.
- Purchased parts should ideally be the cheapest available.
- Machine should have interchangeable tool functionality, so the gantry can be used to utilize a number of different tools. Those tools potentially could include:
 Dremel Carver (or inexpensive WEN alternative) - possibly mounting the tool-end of the Flexible-Shaft attachment, to reduce machine vibration.- Embroidery Hoop on extension arm, allowing a minimally modified sewing machine to create embroidered patches.
- May be better as a secondary machine.
- Free-Rotating 'Drag Knife' or inexpensive
 Vinyl Cutter replacement blade cartridges.
- Filament Extruder and Hot-End for 3D printing, or modified 3D Pen
- May require secondary Arduino pre-configured as 3D printer instead of CNC. Possibly could use a serial port switchbox to switch arduinos, usb, etc??
- Inexpensive soldering iron with copper wire to replace tip, for cutting foam.
- Reciprocating needle cutter for cutting cardboard or foam-core.
- Pen or Pencil holder for use as plotter. Uses Part 1 Uses Part 2 Uses Part 3
- Fabric markers for making t-shirts/wall hangings, paint markers or metallic sharpies for marking surfaces like glass, mirrors, tile, and chalkboards.
- Glue pen for heat embossing
- Ball-point pen without ink, for use as pressure embosser/creasing tool.
- Cutting Laser - at a later date, as funding permits
Secondary Objectives
- Clamping area should be able to accommodate a standard 9" x 12.5" clipboard, with the clip removed, whether or not it can mill that entire area.
Tertiary Objectives
- The footprint of the completed machine should not exceed 12.5" x 16.5" (to fit inside folding cart for easy transport)
Creeping Featuritis - Acquired Objectives
It's nearly inevitable when any suitably complicated project drags on, or even goes on hiatus. Eventually you're going to start daydreaming new ideas and features for the build. The Doozer was no exception to this. The trick is to try to make sure that the feature creep is actually a reasonable addition that can be missed out if need be, due to budget or skill constraints. The following is a lits of ideas that cropped up along the way, that made the cut.
- Redesign machine to use aluminum extrusion for the major structural elements
- Upgrade to using actual lead screws and aluminum shaft-to-motor couplers from the start - not 'later date' upgrades
- All parts created components should be either copies of purchaseable replacements, or be capable of being made WITH the machine.
- Slotted waste-board that allows carriage bolts to travel in the aluminum extrusion below, for clamping materials down with wingnuts.
- Waste board slats should also be possible to make/replace WITH the machine!
- Laser Crosshair built into the X Axis to allow for 'same every time' axis zeroing, and thus repeatable jobs.
- USB 10-key number-pad for use as a remote positioning/control pendant for the CNC.
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Project Status
01/05/2020 - Latest!
Progress in SketchUp is going really well. The bracket designs are starting to take shape. I'm assuming that they'll be made of 1/8" thick (~3mm) aluminum plate. Overall I'm fairly pleased with the project as it's coming along, though in watching other people's projects on YouTube, I certainly do have my doubts. Each of the 3 axis is basically resting on 4 linear bearings, each held in place with 4 m3 screws. I've done my best to make their stance as square as possible for maximum rigidity, but I still have my concerns.
At the end of the day, it's all going to be made of metal, mostly aluminum extrusion with steel rods. While the machine will hopefully be capable of occasional milling of aluminum, the 'router' will still be a Dremel. The Doozer's more common use will be for milling materials that are much less resistant: Acrylic, ABS/PVC/Polystyrene Sheet, MDF, Pressboard, Veneer, and Balsa Wood.
Project Development History
⬇ Click here to expand section ⬇
01/03/2020
I had the opportunity to speak with Keith Legg on New Years Eve, in regards to machining some of the needed custom brackets for the linear rod , motor, and threaded rod bearing mounts. That part of the equation is a resounding GO.
This evening I re-inventoried my box of previously acquired components.. motors, rods, screws, and so on.. and I’m looking forward to returning to the design process with renewed enthusiasm. Looking forward to beginning finalizing the design, so I can finally begin BUILDING.
Soon, I hope!
09/20/2019
Email received from AliExpress. All components of the targeting laser assembly ( crosshair & dot lasers and USB power adapter ) are now in the hands of couriers in the USA.
Beata donated a 2-port USB power converter to the project after I'd ordered the single-USB version, so I may utilize the dual-port unit instead (one for each laser)
09/18/2019
All off-the-shelf structural components have been purchased, and have arrived. All components are measured and 3D modelled in SketchUp Make 2016. The 3 axis assemblies have been assembled in SketchUp.
Currently developing a modified 3D model of the tolerances of the aluminum extrusions, that model will help me easily create functional 3D-printed parts that fit properly.
Maximum workspace dimensions seem to be coming in at (305mm x 250mm x 180mm), which is approximately (12in x 11in x 7in). These are the maximum lengths that the linear rails and bearings can accommodate. I suspect these lengths will reduce somewhat as the actual gantry is designed.
What even is a ‛Doozer’?
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The Doozers are a race of characters from Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock television series. Doozers love to work all day long. They're tiny, green creatures who usually sport construction helmets, boots, and tool belts. Doozers stand approximately knee-high to Fraggles, at six inches tall.
When compared to the other races within Fraggle Rock, they are by far the most technologically advanced. Most Doozers are construction workers, while others are architects or miners. With the help of various Doozer machines and vehicles, they build elaborate constructions all over Fraggle Rock, like towers, buildings, roads and bridges. Doozer constructions are the Fraggles' favorite snack, and they love to eat the buildings that the Doozers build. The Doozers don't mind their buildings being eaten -- if the Fraggles didn't eat the constructions, the Doozers would run out of building space!
