AndyUK's Build - 1.2x1.0m Gantry

[AndyUK]

Promised an update when I ventured into Aluminium; its only the smallest of steps, but I'm pleased with the results.

The "client" has requested a lampwork beadmaking tool which could form the molten glass into a heart shape. This is the first in a series of tests; the eventual product will need to have two identical sides to squish the bead into shape, but we've just started with a single side for now.

Tried two shapes, a 3D heart and a 2D heart. I pocketed and roughed with a 4mm single flute endmill at 18k RPM and 1.5m/min. Kept the DOC very low at 0.5mm as this is my first time, but the router wasn't phased in the slightest. Then finished with a 3mm Diameter ball nose, 24k RPM 1m/min. Very basic tool paths from aspire, nothing fancy. Went a bit overkill and gave it lots of air blasts to clear the ships and plenty of WD40 in between!

To give an idea of scale, these hearts are designed to fit within a 15mm diameter circle. Very small.







My thoughts are slowly turning towards the 4th Axis that I'd like to add to this machine, but I haven't come across any dedicated build threads yet. Anyone got any initial recommendations / suggested reading?