In September, I wrote up a blog entry (Information Below) in reference to The Pocket NC P5 - 5 Axis Desktop CNC Mill (http://www.pocketnc.com). The Pocket NC P5 - 5 Axis Desktop CNC Mill (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1090944145/pocket-nc-the-first-5-axis-cnc-mill-for-your-deskt?ref=nav_search) is the first 5 Axis CNC Mill that fits on your desk. The husband and wife team are making great strides that are going to enable putting affordable 5 Axis CNC machining capabilities in the hands of Makers.

I’ve been following Pocket NC over the last year and it has been my favorite product under development. I jumped onto the Kickstarter campaign as soon as it was released. I secured a NC P5 - 5 Axis Desktop CNC Mill but they sold out very quickly. Visit http://www.pocketnc.com to be notified when Pocket NC begins accepting preorders (including internationally). GREAT JOB and CONGRATULATIONS to everyone at Pocket NC on the successful Kickstarter campaign!

Previous Engineering Blog Entry (September 2014) - Pocket NC P5 - 5 Axis Desktop CNC Mill - http://socal-engineer.com/engineering-blog/2014/9/4/pocket-nc-p5-5-axis-desktop-cnc-mill

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Pocket NC Kickstarter Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdXGNZvW7vY

Content Below from Pocket NC Kickstarter Page

What is the Pocket NC?

The Pocket NC is a 5 axis desktop CNC mill.

Now let’s break down exactly what that means:

Milling Machine: Today, most people are familiar with the concept of 3D printing which is an additive manufacturing process. The part is built up from the base by adding a layer of material at a time. Milling is a subtractive process where material is removed from a solid piece of stock using a sharp tool to reveal the part inside.

CNC: CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. This means that the machine is controlled by a series of codes and numbers output by a computer. These codes can either be output by software, or written line-by-line in a text file. For more information on the software you need, keep reading.

5 Axis: If you are having a hard time visualizing what “5 axis” could mean, don’t worry. It’s a lot more simple than it sounds. Conventional milling machines typically can move in 3 linear axes at a time. An example of this would be a milling machine where the part fixed to the table can move back and forth in two directions (X and Y axes) and the cutting tool can move up and down (Z axis). The extra 2 axes of movement are rotational, which for the Pocket NC means that the part can also rotate about the X axis (A axis) and about the Y axis (B axis). The main advantage of this is that you can now machine on multiple faces of the part without having to refixture it.

Machine Statistics

X Axis: Max Speed: 40 ipm (inches per minute) · Resolution: 0.000125in · Backlash at 100% load : 0.003in · Max Travel: 4.5 in · Homing Repeatability: - +/-0.0005 in · Repeatability: +/-0.002 in at 0% load

Y Axis: Max Speed: 40 ipm (inches per minute) · Resolution: 0.000125 in · Backlash at 100% load : 0.003 in · Max Travel: 4.8 in · Homing Repeatability: - +/-0.0005 in · Repeatability: +/-0.002 in at 0% load

Z Axis: Max Speed: 40 ipm (inches per minute) · Resolution: 0.000125in · Backlash at 100% load : 0.003in · Max Travel: 3.45 in · Homing Repeatability: - +/-0.0005 in · Repeatability: +/-0.002 in at 0% load

A Axis: Max Speed: 20 degrees/second · Resolution: 0.025 degrees · Backlash at 100% load : 0.05 degrees · Max Travel: 100 degrees (90 degrees +/- 5 degrees) · Homing Repeatability: - +/-0.025 degrees · Repeatability: +/-0.025 degrees at 0% load

B Axis: Max Speed: 40 degrees/second · Resolution: 0.025 degrees · Backlash at 100% load : 0.05 degrees · Max Travel: continuous rotation · Homing Repeatability: - +/-0.025 degrees · Repeatability: +/-0.025 degrees at 0% load

Spindle: Spindle Speed: 65-10,000 rpm (rated to 50,000 rpm) Runout 0.000078in, Lever type tool change (no wrenches necessary)

Power Output: 104 Watts · Spindle Motor: BLDC 3 Phase with Hall Feedback

Machine Control: BeagleBone Black running Machinekit/LinuxCNC, compatible with Windows, OSx, and Linux systems

Features: Spindle Override, Feed Override, Stop, Start, Pause, Jog while pause, 5 axis simultaneous movement

Ethernet connection

Accepts Standard Gcode

Power Source: 90-264 VAC, 127-370 VDC, 47-63Hz

Components: 7 NEMA 17 Motors, 3 linear lead screws with preloaded nuts, 4 rotary 8/1 belt drives, Linear Bearings 9 & 42mm 10% preload, Angular contact rotary bearings, 6061 Aluminum Frame, +/-0.002in squareness

Machine Dimensions: Fully extended: 17.5 in wide(444.5 mm) x 12.5 in (317.5 mm) tall x 11 in (279.4 mm) deep Fully compressed: 13 in wide (330.2 mm) x 9.5 in (214.3 mm) tall x 9 in (228.6 mm) deep

Overall part tolerance: +/-0.005 in

Software Requirements

The typical process flow for creating a part using the Pocket NC would be to draw your part using CAD (Computer Aided Design) software, generate the toolpath using CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) software, and then interface with the machine to send over and monitor the toolpath.

Pocket NC is excited to be partnering with Autodesk to offer their Kickstarter backers a free, one-year commercial subscription to Autodesk® Fusion 360 (Limited time offer; subject to applicable terms and conditions.) Fusion 360 is cloud-based design software that includes both CAD and CAM. One of the large barriers for 5 axis machining is that CAM software capable of 5 axis toolpaths is typically prohibitively expensive, but Fusion 360 package offers 3+2 machining which gives the user the ability to use the rotary axes to rotate to a new work surface between toolpaths. After the one-year period is over, Fusion 360 is free for enthusiasts, hobbyists, and startups and is compatible with Windows and OSx.