ROOT CNC – CNC Machine – 3D Printer – Motion Controller
Home to the Root CNC 3D printed CNC machine. This website is the Official Home and Official Forum for the Root CNC project.
3D Printed!
Root CNC used 3D printed parts to provide accurate assembly of the machine and easy the build process
Scalable
It is scalable – make the machine any size you want, to fit your application
Open Source
Its Open Source – built and controlled via open source hardware and software
Social Links
Where to Download
Root CNC shall continue to work and develop its machines across the multiple platforms. For now the following platforms will following this trend:
Github – Shall be used to track and implement any changes/ issues on any of the machine. Use this site for the latest and greatest
Thingiverse – shall continue to receive the core build updates
Project Goals
- Create a expandable CNC machine capable to machine aluminium
- Use minimal different 3D printed parts
- Customization (Make it Bigger)
- Cheap
- Simple
- Use parts commonly used in DIY 3D printers
- Easily sourced parts
Support
If you like the work I have been doing in my spare time please let me know, it gives me great pleasure to read the stories this machine produces and keep me motivated to bring new things out. But if you love the project and want help out, please consider hitting the donation button and help keep this server up and running for everyone to enjoy – after all this is my hobby.
Timeline
March 6, 2016
November 1, 2016
November 3, 2016
May 17, 2017
December 18, 2017
July 19, 2020
ROOT 2 Release
Root 3 Released
Facebook group were created
Website was launched
Root 3 Lite was released
Root 4 was released
Comparison Table
| Machine |  |  |  |  |  |
| Name | Root 2 | Root 3 | Root 3 Lite | Root 4 | Root 4 Lite |
| Status | Archived | Active | Active | Active | Active |
| Release date | 6 March 2016 | 1 November 2016 | 18 December 2017 | 19 June 2020 | 28 April 2021 |
| Download Location | Thingiverse GitHub | Thingiverse GitHub | Thingiverse GitHub | Thingiverse GitHub | GitHub |
| Motion System | Belts/ leads screw | Belts/ leads screw | Belts/ leads screw | Ballscrew | Ballscrew |
| Axis Type | XY = Root Motion Z = Linear bearing | XY = Root Motion Z = Linear Guilds | XY = Root Motion Z = Linear bearing | XY = Root Motion Z = Linear Guilds A = Rotary | XY = Root Motion Z = Linear Guilds |
| Corordinates | XYZ | XYYZ | XYYZ | XYYZA | XYYZ |
| Supported Controller | Marlin GRBL MACH3 MACH4 LINUXCNC | Marlin GRBL MACH3 MACH4 LINUXCNC | Marlin GRBL MACH3 MACH4 LINUXCNC | Marlin GRBL MACH3 MACH4 LINUXCNC | Marlin GRBL MACH3 MACH4 LINUXCNC |
| Configuration | Milling Drag Knife PCB mill | Milling Drag Knife PCB mill Plasma Cutter | Milling Drag Knife PCB mill | Milling Drag Knife Plasma Cutter PCB mill | Milling Drag Knife PCB mill |
| Materials | Soft & Hard woods Soft metals | Aluminium Soft & Hard woods soft metals | Aluminium Soft & Hard woods Soft metals | Aluminium Soft & Hard woods Soft metals | Aluminium Soft & Hard woods Soft metals |
| Box Section size (Width x Depth x Thickness) | 25x25x3mm | 25x25x3mm | 20x20x2-3mm | 40x40x4mm | 20x20x2-3mm |
| Spindle support | DC quite spindle Trim router VFD spindle 65 – 85mm | DC quite spindle Trim router VFD spindle 65 – 85mm | DC quite spindle *65mm option is planned | DC quite spindle Trim router VFD spindle 65 – 85mm | VFD spindle 65mm |
| Endstops | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Z Probe | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Motor Type | NEMA 17 | NEMA 17 NEMA 23 | NEMA 17 | NEMA 23 | NEMA 17 |
| Dust shoe | No | No | No | Z Axis independent | Z Axis dependent |
| Max working Area -mm (Estimate) | 500×500 | 1000×1000 | 500×500 | 1500×1500 | 500×500 (220×280 as per my build) |
| Z Axis Travel | 70mm | 120mm | 60mm | 160mm | 60mm |
| Filament required | (Unsure) | ~1.5KG | ~2.5KG | ~4.3KG | 1.4KG |