I am working with a Non-profit private school for special students. We are trying to start a CNC-based curriculum that at the end of the day, each student designs (within limits), builds, programs and ultimately takes home their own CNC desktop machine. We recognize these machines, due to cost constraints, will be small and have limited capabilities.
We are kind of working backwards in that to assist us in kickstarting our efforts, one of the parents donated 30+ NEMA 17 stepper motors (17HS16 2004S1). We are struggling trying to find an optimum CNC size while using these steppers. IS a 24"by24" platform reasonable with these steppers or shuld we go for a different size and if so...how big? Our original plans had us using NEMA 23 with a max size of 24x24". Can you assist me in figuring out a max size these
NEMA 17 stepper motors could support? We are looking at Dremel-type routers and MDF as the primary machine material. We would like to go with leadscrews/ACME threads We are hoping to use Arduino/GBRL as teh basis for our electronics.
Any help you would be appreciated.