How To: Make the stepper motor driver for a CNC router

A CNC router machine is probably the most useful tool a hobbyist can own, but the price for a CNC machine on the market is way more than the average hobbyist is willing to spend. You can build your own CNC with very basic tools, little knowledge of machinery, mechanics, or electronics, but be warned, these machines are inherently dangerous, so wear the proper protection and use common sense. At the very least, read the instructions and precautions on every tool you use.

Now, a CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control, but that is gibberish. It does hint you to the fact that something is controlled, and probably by a computer. It's really a mechanism that interfaces to a computer to control its movements, similar to a robot, but this machine has a specific function. It cuts or shapes things with this control. In essence, a computer precisely controls a cutting tool, like a router for instance, to cut materials such as wood, plastic or metals into shapes only bounded by your imagination.

This five-part video tutorial will show you how to make the stepper motor driver for a CNC router. In the first video, you will see the installation of the resistors, the first component that is recommended to be installed. Resistors are installed first due to their size. It would be very difficult to insert these small components after the larger ones have been installed. In the second video, see the driver caps, resistor networks and the mosfets.

Check out part three to see how all of the tiny components of the board are installed, then check out number four to see the big components.

Last, see how to solder in the driver chips, the heart of the board. You will also clean, inspect and set the board's configuration.