CNC Machine with Automatic Tool Changer

?The term CNC stands for 'computer numerical control', and the CNC machining definition is that it is a subtractive manufacturing process that typically employs computerized controls and machine tools to remove layers of material from a stock piece known as the blank or work piece and produces a cus

2025-06-28 16:25:50 - Adil Khan

Project Title

Project Area of Specialization Mechatronics EngineeringProject Summary

“The term CNC stands for 'computer numerical control', and the CNC machining definition is that it is a subtractive manufacturing process that typically employs computerized controls and machine tools to remove layers of material from a stock piece known as the blank or work piece and produces a custom designed part. This process is suitable for a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, wood, glass, foam, and composites, and finds application in a variety of industries, such as large CNC machining, machining of parts and prototypes for telecommunications, and CNC machining aerospace parts, which require tighter tolerances than other industries. There is a difference between the CNC machining definition and the CNC machine definition, one is a process and the other is a machine.”

CNC Machine is actually a Lathe machine but it's automatic i.e. we are required to provide G-Code of our product and the machine performs certain operations according to that G-code on work piece so that to convert it into our desired end product. There are many applications of CNC machines especially on industrial level like metal removal industries. CNC machines can also be used to create shaped products in the manufacturing industries, which may include threaded, rounded, rectangular, square, or even three-dimensional products. They also have wide applications in industries for fabricating metals. One of the greatest advantages is their versatility. They have applications for both at-home hobbyists and large-scale production.

There are CNC Machine manufacturers in some cities of Pakistan but CNC machines made by them are not professionally designed. Also, those machines lack features like automatic tool changer. And if they have such features they are highly expensive. Most of the machines are imported from other countries which is costly too.

So, we are destined to make a CNC machine that will be durable, cost effective and will be having high speed. Also, we will be including automatic tool changing feature in it that will not only increase the production but it will also lessen human error.

Project Objectives

CNC machines manufactured in Pakistan are not durable as they are not professionally designed and they lack features. Most of the CNC Machines are imported from other countries which also cost taxes, shipment charges and if an issue generates in them, there aren’t any engineers here who can resolve the issue.

Our objective is;

To manufacture a CNC machine that will have automatic tool changer and belt mechanism.
To manufacture a CNC machine that will provide efficient, expedient and precise production capacity.
To manufacture a CNC machine that will be durable.
To manufacture a CNC machine that will be cost effective.
To manufacture a CNC machine that will have high speed.

So our aim is to make a CNC machine which will be durable and cost effective. Also, it will have features like automatically tool changing mechanism and belt mechanism.

Project Implementation Method

We have divided our project into four phases to meet our goals;

Pre-Phase A:

To find out the Problem
To propose solutions to that problem
To Research on the problem and its solution
To finalize project based on research for solving the problem
Research on CNC Machines and their market in Pakistan. Also, their uses, applications, and the complications regarding them in Pakistan.
Research on different mechanisms used in making CNC Machine and automatic tool changing mechanism
To choose a mechanism based on research, that is fast, durable, efficient and precise.
To make a list of materials that will be used in this project for budgeting.
To make a project proposal based on our research work.
Defense of our project proposal.

Phase A:

Applying for funds for the project
Dividing the project into different phases and parts.
To Make 3D model of the CNC Machine with automatic tool changer

Phase B:

To purchase components for making hardware.
To assemble all the components.
To design toolbox system for CNC machine and assembling it with the machine.
To connect motors and spindle to the main controller board
To connect and interface the main controller board to computer.
To test G-Codes on the machine.

Phase C:

To design a job that uses different tools and testing it on CNC Machine.
To test the CNC Machine on different speeds to see its efficiency and accuracy.
To test the CNC machine with automatic tool changing mechanism.

Phase D:

To start writing Thesis
To finalize all the testing process.

Benefits of the Project Benefits of the Project

Benefits of CNC Machine with automatic tool changer are as follows;

High precision and accuracy
Efficient, expedient and precise production capacity
Capability to reduce human error
Capability to decrease production time

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

S. No	Specification Name	Specification
1	Working Area	12 x 12 x 5 inch / 300 x 300 x 130 mm
2	Bed Size	16 x 16 inch / 410 x 410 mm
3	Toolbox Size	5 x 5 inch / 130 x 130 mm
4	Frame Size	26 inch x 22 x 16 inch / 660 x 560 x 410 mm
5	Frame Material	Aluminum
6	Spindle	DC775 Motor. 24V, 5000 RPM
7	Stepper Motors	NEMA 17, 1A max current, 1.8° step angle
8	Controller	Arduino ATMEGA328P
9	Shield	CNC Shield V3
10	Stepper Motor Drivers	A4988 Stepper Motor Driver
11	Mechanism	Gantry wheel and belt mechanism
12	Control Program	GRBL
13	HMI	Candle
14	G-Code Software	Flatcam
15	Auto Tool Changer	Yes

S. No

Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry ManufacturingOther IndustriesCore Technology RoboticsOther Technologies OthersSustainable Development Goals Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureRequired Resources

Elapsed time in (days or weeks or month or quarter) since start of the project	Milestone	Deliverable
Month 1	To Research on a Problem and to propose a solution for that.	Identification of problem and Proposing its solution
Month 2	Research on CNC ,its market in Pakistan and Research and selection of Mechanism for CNC and submission of Proposal	Proposal Defense Presentation
Month 3	Mechanism and Component Finalization	Research report of different mechanisms and listing of vendors for procurement
Month 4	Division of project into different stages and categories, assigning task to team members. Placing order of the components.	Receiving Components
Month 5	To Assemble the components for making Mechanical structure of the machine.	Mechanical frame of CNC Machine.
Month 6	Adding Electrical components to the mechanical structure, wiring all the components and testing X,Y,Z axis motion and spindle control via HMI.	CNC Engraving Machine in working condition.
Month 7	To start work on Homing of machine and Automatic tool changer and research on G-codes for manual control through coding	CNC Machine with Homing feature and end stops.
Month 8	Adding the Automatic tool changer to the existing CNC Machine and testing it.	CNC Machine with automatic tool changer in working condition.
Month 9	Analysis and testing different jobs on CNC Machine and applying finishes to the project, Finalization of project thesis.	Submission of project and its thesis.

CNC Machine with Automatic Tool Changer

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