For a while ago, I wanted to create a big cnc router. So I needed some tools to build this. Therefore I bought the HBM250, which is a mill-turntable combination.

Because that combination is not very handy, I bought an additional XY cross table, for mounting the BF16 mill. Later I also bought some stepper motors and thought, why creating a router? I can also rebuild this BF16. So from that moment I started this project.

The BF16 mill is sold under different names: Opti BF 16 Vario, Quantum BF 16 Vario, HBM BF16 and in the US: XJ-9510. (There are some minor changes in the specifications like max. spindle speed ranging from 2250 to 3000 [rpm].)
When starting from scratch, I would recommend to start with a bit beavier mill, like the BF45.
Planning
Starting 2009, I did not have a real plan. Just go with the flow & fun..
Learning some more about electronics, how steppers work, how to attach electronics and how to write my own real-time controller, using an Arduino Uno…
Then during 2010/2011, the project was paused because of a temporary move.
Finally in 2013 I started to get some workable results:
- Handheld functionality:
Very handy, I’m using the mill in manual mode for 99% of the time. - CNC milling: It’s working!
- Possible G-Codes: G0,G1,G2 & G3.
Today’s configuration

Read more about:
- Mechanical challenges & updates
- Electronicla challenges
- Controlling challenges
- Software challenges
- Pallet extruder head
Wish list:
- Create home-switches (& working with absolute & relative coordinates).
- Create edge finder tool (for 3D scanning)
- Create mill-height compensator
- Create 4th axis (was working for a while)
- Optimize maximum speeds & accelerations
- Start milling some nice projects…
Additional tooling:
- Create a working 3D extruder on top of the mill (idealy granulate)
Due to the heavy masses/stiffness of the system, it’s not very handy to attach an extruder to this mill. The speeds are relative low, compared to FDM 3D printers. So printing is way too time consuming. Instead I did build a 3d DLP printer (different subject).
Diamond circle square test
After everything should work, it’s time for the real deal: is this machine able to do some aluminium cutting? Yes it did.
First cnc milling project

Me working on a first prototype thingy. Also added a (noisy) vacuum cleaner to the setup. It took a couple of hours, milling those acrylic plates, this requires a laser-cutter (post…)!
Overall it was a very nice mechatronics project and I learned a lot.
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