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AR4-Powered CNC and Drilling for Fully Automated Production

AdvancedIndustrial Automation

Self-loading CNC mill + high-speed Arduino drill for manufacturing

Built by Gleb DenysiukMilan, Italy

3

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AR4-Powered CNC and Drilling for Fully Automated Production

About my build

Goal: Replace manual part handling with automated systems for efficiency/consistency.

Challenges: Retrofitting old drilling machine with Arduino-controlled pneumatics.

Results:

CNC machine: Reliable 15-minute cycles over 3 months.

Drilling machine: 40-second cycles with zero downtime in first week.

Long-Term Testing: Monitoring performance under 8-hour daily operation.

Workflow / process

1. CNC Milling:

Robot picks part from cassette → places on machine → clamps part.

CNC program runs → portal retracts → limit switch signals robot for next cycle.

Throughput: 1,000+ cycles in 3 months (8 hrs/day).

2. Drilling Machine:

Arduino triggers clamps/vacuum → part drilled → pusher advances next workpiece.

Throughput: ~1500 cycles/week (40 sec/cycle).

Primary use cases

  • High-speed automated drilling
  • Robotic part loading for precision milling

Custom modifications

  • Arduino Nano firmware (custom logic for relay control)
  • Custom cassettes for part handling
  • Custom CNC program

Hardware add-ons

  • 4-axis CNC system
  • 8 pneumatic clamps + rotary column
  • AR4 6-axis robot arm for part loading/unloading
  • CNC Milling Machine
  • Controller: Arduino Nano (manages 10 relays)
  • Drilling Machine
  • Mechanical limit switches (cycle triggering/empty cassette detection)
  • Vacuum suction cup + workpiece pusher

Software used

  • Arduino Nano
  • Custom G-code programs

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