Also, is it possible to cut into a certain spot on a object, or is it just cutting into raw material to create the object? So many questions, I know!
Full Version: Plastic And Metal Work
Hey i am very excited to see a base for DIY CNC here at lumenlab, because I do a lot of projects that require CNC work and I always end up outsourcing the projects[usually for a ton of money!]. The projects that I need a CNC for is shaping plastic and cutting/shaping metal. [By shaping i mean really just cutting to a certain form] I was wondering if Joe's model would be suitable for both, and no, they aren't very large projects. To give you an idea, about the size of a Xbox 360. Also, is it possible to cut into a certain spot on a object, or is it just cutting into raw material to create the object? So many questions, I know!
Also, is it possible to cut into a certain spot on a object, or is it just cutting into raw material to create the object? So many questions, I know!
Depends on the metal. Alum yes. But steel you need a mill to be able to mill it. Routers are just not built rigid enough for steel.
Yes, aluminum was what I had in mind. Damn, i just read that whole thread about Joe's machine. i am definitely doing this. Only problem is space constraints.
QUOTE (userhck @ Nov 12 2006, 01:09 AM) 
i am definitely doing this. Only problem is space constraints.
it could double as the dinner table
route your steak into bite sized pieces.
Lol. Is it possible to fit this into my room? i am building a work bench around a corner of my room, and I would love to have this there. Noise wouldn't be a problem, but I would have to deal with the mess. Thats ok though. i dont need it that big, just enough to do console work.
This machine will take up more room than you predict. I have a 4X4 machine and it takes up around 8X8 of floor space.
Damn. I guess i better start cleaning out the garage.
Can you do aluminum with Joes setup? Can you get router bits for that?
here's my setup
I use it mainly for cutting aluminum, bu plexyglass or polycarbonate also are no problem to cut.
My cnc router has a liquid cooling system, because you cannot cut any metal without liquid cooling. In fact you can, but it is not wise. Here's some pictures of my cutting results:
http://www.wwracing.lv/bildes/kvadraats1.jpg
http://www.wwracing.lv/bildes/galva_vol12.jpg
http://www.wwracing.lv/bildes/wc_galva_vol2.jpg
http://www.wwracing.lv/bildes/vol.2-2006_001.jpg
http://www.wwracing.lv/bildes/griezumi_014.jpg
This design of the router is very simple and cheap to build and it is performing great. You can find more pics of my machine here:
http://www.boot.lv/forums/index.php?showtopic=53294
I use it mainly for cutting aluminum, bu plexyglass or polycarbonate also are no problem to cut.
My cnc router has a liquid cooling system, because you cannot cut any metal without liquid cooling. In fact you can, but it is not wise. Here's some pictures of my cutting results:
http://www.wwracing.lv/bildes/kvadraats1.jpg
http://www.wwracing.lv/bildes/galva_vol12.jpg
http://www.wwracing.lv/bildes/wc_galva_vol2.jpg
http://www.wwracing.lv/bildes/vol.2-2006_001.jpg
http://www.wwracing.lv/bildes/griezumi_014.jpg
This design of the router is very simple and cheap to build and it is performing great. You can find more pics of my machine here:
http://www.boot.lv/forums/index.php?showtopic=53294
QUOTE (Meskalitto @ Mar 8 2007, 01:32 PM)
here's my setup
I use it mainly for cutting aluminum, bu plexyglass or polycarbonate also are no problem to cut.
My cnc router has a liquid cooling system, because you cannot cut any metal without liquid cooling. In fact you can, but it is not wise. Here's some pictures of my cutting results:
This design of the router is very simple and cheap to build and it is performing great. You can find more pics of my machine here:
http://www.boot.lv/forums/index.php?showtopic=53294
I use it mainly for cutting aluminum, bu plexyglass or polycarbonate also are no problem to cut.
My cnc router has a liquid cooling system, because you cannot cut any metal without liquid cooling. In fact you can, but it is not wise. Here's some pictures of my cutting results:
This design of the router is very simple and cheap to build and it is performing great. You can find more pics of my machine here:
http://www.boot.lv/forums/index.php?showtopic=53294
I would love to read more about your cnc but unfortunately I can't translate Latvian. Do you have an eglish translation for the boot.lv site
Sorry, I have no english translation, but I think that the main things are easy to understand form pictures.
I used hobbycnc 4 axis board and also their 200Oz motors. I didn't want to build a new power suply for my motors instead I used three computer PSU's connected in series, so I got 36V to power the motors.
There are some pictures where I tried to glue some aluminum plates together with epoxy to achieve the optimal thickness, because I already had many thin sheets and didn't want to buy a big expensive aluminum block. But my attempts of gluing these sheets together failed as you can see in the pictures. So I had no other choise and bought that big aluminum block. I used 14mm leadscrews with about 6 TPI.
I used hobbycnc 4 axis board and also their 200Oz motors. I didn't want to build a new power suply for my motors instead I used three computer PSU's connected in series, so I got 36V to power the motors.
There are some pictures where I tried to glue some aluminum plates together with epoxy to achieve the optimal thickness, because I already had many thin sheets and didn't want to buy a big expensive aluminum block. But my attempts of gluing these sheets together failed as you can see in the pictures. So I had no other choise and bought that big aluminum block. I used 14mm leadscrews with about 6 TPI.
QUOTE (Meskalitto @ Mar 9 2007, 11:47 PM)
Sorry, I have no english translation, but I think that the main things are easy to understand form pictures.
I used hobbycnc 4 axis board and also their 200Oz motors. I didn't want to build a new power suply for my motors instead I used three computer PSU's connected in series, so I got 36V to power the motors.
There are some pictures where I tried to glue some aluminum plates together with epoxy to achieve the optimal thickness, because I already had many thin sheets and didn't want to buy a big expensive aluminum block. But my attempts of gluing these sheets together failed as you can see in the pictures. So I had no other choise and bought that big aluminum block. I used 14mm leadscrews with about 6 TPI.
I used hobbycnc 4 axis board and also their 200Oz motors. I didn't want to build a new power suply for my motors instead I used three computer PSU's connected in series, so I got 36V to power the motors.
There are some pictures where I tried to glue some aluminum plates together with epoxy to achieve the optimal thickness, because I already had many thin sheets and didn't want to buy a big expensive aluminum block. But my attempts of gluing these sheets together failed as you can see in the pictures. So I had no other choise and bought that big aluminum block. I used 14mm leadscrews with about 6 TPI.
I was wondering, what kind of liquid do you use for cooling when cutting metal?
QUOTE (ninja0n3 @ Mar 18 2007, 06:11 PM)
I was wondering, what kind of liquid do you use for cooling when cutting metal?
Most people with a DIY machine uses compressed air to blow on the parts to act as a coolant.
Joe
Does aluminum cutting work with compressed air cooling?
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