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MTM Snap: A snap-together Arduino-powered desktop CNC milling machine.

David MellisMay 20th, 2011

MTM Snap, the Martha Stewart Edition

Jonathan Ward from the MIT Center for Bits and Atoms has designed a snap-together, desktop-sized CNC milling machine. The MTM Snap (part of the Machines that Make project) is made from 1/2-inch high-density polyethylene (HDPE) – itself milled on a ShopBot – and can be assembled for about $700. This three-axis CNC machine can mill circuit boards, wax molds, and harder materials in a 5x3x1.75″ working area.

Version five: now with the screw terminals on the other side

The MTM Snap is controlled by an Arduino board running grbl, a full-featured and robust g-code interpreter. A custom shield (designed by Nadya Peek) with three Allegro A3982 chips drives the machine’s stepper motors, and the whole thing is controlled from a simple GUI written in Processing. The advantage of this setup is that you can use the machine from pretty much any computer: desktop or laptop, Mac, Windows, or Linux. We use the CBA’s Kokompe tools for generating g-code files, but grbl should handle most files from other sources (like PCB-GCode).

You can’t yet buy the MTM Snap, but the machine has been designed to be as easy as possible to assemble yourself. All the design files are online if you want to cut out your own pieces on the ShopBot. The complete bill of materials is available, as are the documentation for the Arduino shield and software instructions.

If you’d like to see the MTM Snap in person, drop by the ShopBot booth at the Bay Area Maker Faire this weekend. It will be running off of an OLPC laptop.

18 Responses to “MTM Snap: A snap-together Arduino-powered desktop CNC milling machine.”

  1. A $700 desktop CNC milling machine | Coldstreams.com by Edward Mitchell Says:

    […] A $700 desktop CNC milling machine Posted on May 21, 2011 by Edward Arduino Blog » Blog Archive » MTM Snap: A snap-together Arduino-powered desktop CNC milling machin…. […]

  2. trox Says:

    How accurate is this thing?
    And why does commercial use require a separate license?

  3. Mark Jackson Says:

    Is there a detailed drawing of the spindle? Thanks.

  4. Josh Says:

    We are assembling the red SNAP at AS220 Labs in Providence as part of Fab Academy, it’s really solid and going to be a great CNC. We’ll be posting documentation on http://academy.cba.mit.edu

    The licensing is because MIT funds the Center for Bits and Atoms, where it is being developed. This allows free use for academic and personal use but requires a license if you want to sell kits or builds of their design. I’m unsure about derivative works and possible use in manufacturing.

    The spindle on ours is just the elliptical mounting plate and a (iirc) 25K rpm motor with the chuck attached. The chuck should be in the bill of material.

  5. Josh Says:

    http://mtm.cba.mit.edu/toolheads/spindle/makeit.html

  6. swherdman Says:

    Now if you could make a modified version where i could print one on a Maker Bot or rep rap snap it all together complete at home manufacturing and prototyping setup?

  7. Tech Curl - MTM Snap, a Snap-Together CNC Says:

    […] x 1.75″ area. Design files and BOM are available if you want to make your own. [Via the Arduino blog] This entry was posted on Monday, May 30th, 2011 at 10:30 am and is filed under Latest […]

  8. High Technology » Blog Archive » MTM Snap, a Snap-Together CNC Says:

    […] The MTM Snap was designed by Jonathan Ward of MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms. It costs about $500, runs off an Arduino, is CNCed out of HDPE, and can mill a 5″ x 3″ x 1.75″ area. Design files and BOM are available if you want to make your own. [Via the Arduino blog] […]

  9. MTM Snap project lets you build your own CNC machine so you can build more stuff | MakeNoise : MakeNoise Says:

    […]  |  Arduino Blog, MTM Snap  | Email […]

  10. MTM Snap project lets you build your own CNC machine so you can build more stuff | STEMroots Says:

    […] 31 May 2011 09:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Make  |  Arduino Blog, MTM Snap  | Email this | Comments This entry was posted in External Content, […]

  11. MTM Snap project lets you build your own CNC machine so you can build more stuff - Daily Gizmo News | Daily Gizmo News Says:

    […]  |  Arduino Blog, MTM Snap  | Email this | Comments Posted in Gadget « Apple to unveil […]

  12. MTM Snap project lets you build your own CNC machine so you can build more stuff | Zoomfly Says:

    […]  |  Arduino Blog, MTM Snap  | Email […]

  13. MTM Snap project lets you build your own CNC machine so you can build more stuff | Gamez Menu Says:

    […]  |  Arduino Blog, MTM Snap  | Email this | Comments Share and […]

  14. MTM Snap project lets you build your own CNC machine so you can build more stuff | Says:

    […]  |  Arduino Blog, MTM Snap  | Email […]

  15. a snap-together, desktop-sized CNC milling machine | DailyM Says:

    […] Arduino blog says: Jonathan Ward from the MIT Center for Bits and Atoms has designed a snap-together, desktop-sized CNC milling machine. The MTM Snap (part of the Machines that Make project) is made from 1/2-inch high-density polyethylene (HDPE) – itself milled on a ShopBot – and can be assembled for about $700. This three-axis CNC machine can mill circuit boards, wax molds, and harder materials in a 5x3x1.75? working area. […]

  16. MTM Snap project lets you build your own CNC machine so you can build more stuff | Mobilestopic.Info Says:

    […] :Arduino Blog, MTM Snap Posted in : Misc Gadgets Tags: cnc, cnc machine, CncMachine, diy, mill, milling, mtm […]

  17. Julia ASTECH Says:

    smart design, great job!

  18. washer dryer sets Says:

    washer dryer sets…

    Arduino Blog » Blog Archive » MTM Snap: A snap-together Arduino-powered desktop CNC milling machine….

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