Cheap test rig before committing to the aluminium build:
- Frame: 6mm corrugated cardboard, ribs glued with hot-melt
- Linear motion: 8mm steel rod (€2/m at hardware store) + LM8UU bearings (€1 each)
- 3D-printed corner brackets, tensioner mounts
- Salvaged motors from old printers
- Arduino UNO + RAMPS 1.4 + GRBL-Mega
- Wire: 0.3mm nichrome, ironing-board wire works in a pinch
Total cost ~€60, took a weekend. Cuts to maybe ±2mm accuracy — fine for learning, not fine for wings. Lasted 3 months before the cardboard sagged. Was a great proof-of-concept.
- Frame: 6mm corrugated cardboard, ribs glued with hot-melt
- Linear motion: 8mm steel rod (€2/m at hardware store) + LM8UU bearings (€1 each)
- 3D-printed corner brackets, tensioner mounts
- Salvaged motors from old printers
- Arduino UNO + RAMPS 1.4 + GRBL-Mega
- Wire: 0.3mm nichrome, ironing-board wire works in a pinch
Total cost ~€60, took a weekend. Cuts to maybe ±2mm accuracy — fine for learning, not fine for wings. Lasted 3 months before the cardboard sagged. Was a great proof-of-concept.