Portable CNC Machine for Stone Countertops
Format
SOECS Senior Project Demonstration
Faculty Mentor Name
Kyle Watson
Faculty Mentor Department
Mechanical Engineering
Abstract/Artist Statement
Granite countertops are a common and popular option for kitchen and bathroom features. In a large scale construction site, such as a hotel, there are often numerous, identical slabs of granite that must be cut to the same shape and design in order to accomodate sinks and other features. These sinks often require complex, non-linear cutouts in the countertops. Traditionally, large, industrial CNC (computer numerically controlled) machines pre-cut the features off-site. The countertops are then transported to the installation site. However, the large cutout weakens the structural integrity of the slab and often results in fractures during transportation that require expensive and time-consuming repairs or replacements. Thus, there is a need for a machine to cut the sink cutouts on site. This project involved designing, fabricating, assembling, and operating a portable CNC machine capable of cutting complex, nonlinear shapes out of stone countertops. The machine is collapsable and easily transported to construction sites. The X-Axis of the machine can be extended to accommodate longer countertops. The machine incorporates an open source CNC software that can easily be programmed to cut various complex shapes. The project was sponsored by Edgewise Tools, LLC. They provided a manual cutting machine and requested an automated, CNC design. The final product is capable of cutting complex shapes with a reasonable degree of accuracy and repeatability out of ¾” - 1 ¾” thick granite and is programmable to accommodate specific sink designs. It is transportable, able to be assembled by a single user, safe to use, inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to repair.
Location
School of Engineering & Computer Science
Start Date
5-5-2018 3:30 PM
End Date
5-5-2018 4:30 PM
Portable CNC Machine for Stone Countertops
School of Engineering & Computer Science
Granite countertops are a common and popular option for kitchen and bathroom features. In a large scale construction site, such as a hotel, there are often numerous, identical slabs of granite that must be cut to the same shape and design in order to accomodate sinks and other features. These sinks often require complex, non-linear cutouts in the countertops. Traditionally, large, industrial CNC (computer numerically controlled) machines pre-cut the features off-site. The countertops are then transported to the installation site. However, the large cutout weakens the structural integrity of the slab and often results in fractures during transportation that require expensive and time-consuming repairs or replacements. Thus, there is a need for a machine to cut the sink cutouts on site. This project involved designing, fabricating, assembling, and operating a portable CNC machine capable of cutting complex, nonlinear shapes out of stone countertops. The machine is collapsable and easily transported to construction sites. The X-Axis of the machine can be extended to accommodate longer countertops. The machine incorporates an open source CNC software that can easily be programmed to cut various complex shapes. The project was sponsored by Edgewise Tools, LLC. They provided a manual cutting machine and requested an automated, CNC design. The final product is capable of cutting complex shapes with a reasonable degree of accuracy and repeatability out of ¾” - 1 ¾” thick granite and is programmable to accommodate specific sink designs. It is transportable, able to be assembled by a single user, safe to use, inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to repair.