Clank-LZ
Clank-LZ is a variant of the Clank machine platform developed as a machine kit for How to Make Almost Anything 2020, which was taught remotely at MIT in the fall term.
The dev log is here and I've written some reflections on clank-lz as a class kit here, if you're interested in my experience and collected notes from other TAs and students in the class.
What it Does
Clank-LZ is a circuit mill, meaning that it cuts traces from copper-faced phenolic stock, i.e. FR1 stock. It's just a small, precise CNC mill.
How to Build Clank-LZ
There's a full build guide for clank-lz here including a BOM pdf xlsx ods and assembly videos, and the most recent CAD files are f3z, step, and .3dm. The hardware costs around $400 (including motors) and controllers can cost anywhere between $250 and $100.
To build one, you'll need a 3D Printer (any will do), allen keys, scissors, and not much else. An arbor press helps for the spindle assembly.
Running Clank-LZ
The machine was developed alongside a standlone controller documented here, but is equally well suited to any off the shelf GCode interpreter. We like tinyg but any will do.
Images
Clank-LZ as a Milling Machine
The machine does just-fine as a general purpose CNC mill as well, capable of milling wood, machinist's wax, and engineering plastics like Delrin and HDPE.