CNC Experts, please help me to choose a "Spindle Motor Power Output"?

[HKPhysicist]

Dear all CNC Experts,
I am coming down to these criteria for choosing my new mini CNC after having received your experts' opinions:

1. all metal structural frame

2. expensive ball screws the best; but cheap T screws are also good for jobs with short duration + periodic manual maintenance.

3. I only need to handle about 100 stock ABS small enclosures. Metal cases will not be handled in near future.

4. Thickness of my enclosure material is 1.6mm ABS.

5. Holes ought to be milled are USB-C opening 9mm x 3mm

6. plus a few simple circular holes with diameter around 0.5mm to 1mm on the ABS enclosures.

7. It also has to mill a shallow (0.1mm to 0.5mm) logo and serial number on the enclosure's surface.

8. A T-type mill bit is required to drill the USB-C opening.
   

9. overall result example
   

Now, it comes to the question - How much power should the Z-axis Spindle Motor output so that my CNC can finish my small project beautifully? 100W, 200W, 300W, etc?

Thanks for your precious experiences in advance. ^^

Yours faithfully,
Timmy

[massiveradiation]

Is that the only thing you need the CNC for? It's just plastic, I would try to have a punch and die made or better yet, contact the manufacturers and ask if they can modify the case for small quantity. How many do you need? Also, Be careful to look at your Z height, including the bit you want use and make sure there is enough clearance to stand that box on end. Also, how will you clamp it?

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On Thu, Jun 19, 2025 at 1:08 PM HKPhysicist ***@***.***> wrote: Dear all CNC Experts, I am coming down to these criteria for choosing my new mini CNC after having received your experts' opinions: 1. all metal structural frame 2. expensive ball screws the best; but cheap T screws are also good for jobs with short duration + periodic manual maintenance. 3. I only need to handle under 100 stock ABS small enclosures. 4. Thickness of my enclosure material is 1.6mm ABS. 5. Holes ought to be milled are USB-C opening 9mm x 3mm 6. plus a few simple circular holes with diameter around 0.5mm to 1mm on the ABS enclosures. 7. It also has to mill a shallow (0.1mm to 0.5mm) logo and serial number on the enclosure's surface. 8. A T-type mill bit is required to drill the USB-C opening. t.mill.jpg (view on web) <https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/7b7e518f-25a9-4e72-8aa1-9dbc968132d0> 9. overall result example USB-C.jpg (view on web) <https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/1c7e9624-d008-45f4-9dc2-0b3705b4b265> *Now, it comes to the question - How much power should the Z-axis Spindle Motor output so that my CNC can finish my small project beautifully? 100W, 200W, 300W, etc?* Thanks for your precious experiences in advance. ^^ Yours faithfully, Timmy — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#1945>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AGUKYUSFCOUFAU6EOBUI4PL3ELVADAVCNFSM6AAAAAB7WM4UDCVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43ERDJONRXK43TNFXW4OZYGQ3TGMZWG4> . You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[HKPhysicist]

Hello Friend,
Thanks for your reply.

Modification by the manufacturers is very expensive. The cost can buy a very serious desktop CNC. They count each hole.

Punching cannot form beautiful opening on plastic enclosure. It will break into pieces.

Moreover, once I finish the CAM file from within bCNC, the repetitive job is automatic and fast. So, my way should be the cheapest.

I just use the small clamps bundled by mini CNC. They are enough to hold the enclosure. Circular holes can be drilled by my ikea power drill. I just lock the enclosure by a desktop vice. I can turn it any direction I want.

[Harvie]

you can also 3d print simple jig. you stick plastic box from one side, drill from the other side and you have repeatable way of making lots of boxes.

eg.:

[lalo-uy]

For the circular holes you may want to meke a tiny one by the cnc for exact positions. You enlarge them with the drill later. El El jue, 19 jun. 2025 a la(s) 17:28, Tomas Mudrunka < ***@***.***> escribió:

…

you can also 3d print simple jig. you stick plastic box from one side, drill from the other side and you have repeatable way of making lots of boxes. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#1945 (reply in thread)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ACXBW4MCVD6KYKERH5HFRQL3EMMNNAVCNFSM6AAAAAB7WM4UDCVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43URDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHMYTGNJSGM3DSMA> . You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>