1.7*0.74*0.4m Mill / Router building...

[Jonathan]

I tried cutting a sign ... the test one with V-carve:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThVYR...=youtube_gdata

I need to get a cutter which has a sharper point ... that one has a 3mm or so flat on the end which spoilt things somewhat.

[Jonathan]

Just tried cutting aluminium ... no problem! I put a bit of cutting fluid in the slot as it went round at 800mm/min, 0.85mm depth of cut with 6mm 2 flute HSS cutter @ 9000rpm. A lot faster than I could have used on my milling machine.

The edges are reasonably nice, still room for improvement but not bad I reckon for a first attempt. Next time I will add a climb milled finishing pass. Better than the milling machine...





Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ossjj...=youtube_gdata

I'm happy now that the conversion was worth it ... I always wanted the machine to be able to cut aluminium at a decent feedrate. I might try a relief with aluminium and ball nose cutter next.

[luke11cnc]

nice cnc you have there Jonathan are you going to paint it at some point ??

[Jonathan]

nice cnc you have there Jonathan are you going to paint it at some point ??

Thanks... it's not going to rust where it is so I don't think I'll paint it. It's there to make things not look at Paint would also get annoying if I need to add bits to it.

[luke11cnc]

Jonathan
Reading more and more post I find my self thinking o's##T what have I let my self in for

I really thought 20 mm rails for the bed would be more than ample to carry the weight of the whole cnc machine

two 20 mm rails (made from 304 stainless steel) and four bearings mounted on the 90 degree side of 40/80 profile aluminium extrusion
and a centre ball screw (centre of the bed) 0f 16 to 20 threaded bar


where on earth do you all get your aluminium from as I have ordered of ebay, it arrived today so bent it is unusable

James & Luke

[Jonathan]

I really thought 20 mm rails for the bed would be more than ample to carry the weight of the whole cnc machine

They will be ample to carry the weight since each of the 20mm bearings is rated for about 880N. That's not as excessive as it might seems though, see what I posted here:
http://www.mycncuk.com/forums/showth...near-bearings-...

The reason I advised using the bigger bearings is not directly due to the higher load ratings. It it because they have 5 rows of ball bearings, not 4. This seems to make them have a lot less play than the <=20mm bearings. So I'm not saying you have to get the 25mm bearings, just that it will probably be better if you do.

where on earth do you all get your aluminium from as I have ordered off ebay, it arrived today so bent it is unusable

I now use http://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk/
Only issue with them is you have to buy 2000mm lengths. If there's something smaller you need let me know as I might have a bit...
What size did you buy out of interest, and who from so I don't make the same mistake?

[Jonathan]

The first of many upgrades to come:



I'll be fixing 20 meters of 2"x1/2" aluminium strip under the bed in a grid to make it a bit stronger, since it's only 20mm thick aluminium. I've got 6m of the aluminium angle to go round the perimeter to enclose flood coolant, which will be the next upgrade. I'll have the router drill an array of holes to tap M8 for clamping. I elected not to go for strips (to imitate T-slots) as the difference in price is not that great in the whole scheme of things and this should be stronger although either would have been sufficient. Need to get it at the right height too...

[JAZZCNC]

That looks like an expensive piece of Ali make sure you don't Fubar .!! At least with strips if you do then it's a cheap repair.!

After fitting the strips are you going to fly cut it.?

[Jonathan]

That looks like an expensive piece of Ali make sure you don't Fubar .!! At least with strips if you do then it's a cheap repair.!

Ascmetals are to blame for the good price. Not that bothered about marks to be honest - if I do mess up it's unlikely to cause more than aesthetic damage, which luckily I don't care about!

After fitting the strips are you going to fly cut it.?

Not sure yet since the issue is I can't reach the full area with the spindle in one go. Once they're fitted I'll height map it and see how close it is. I can always put some aluminium 'sacrificial' strips on top (which could even make T-slots), but I think I've spent enough.

[JAZZCNC]

Not sure yet since the issue is I can't reach the full area with the spindle in one go. Once they're fitted I'll height map it and see how close it is. I can always put some aluminium 'sacrificial' strips on top (which could even make T-slots), but I think I've spent enough.

90% sure you will.? . . . When I did mine I height mapped it with 45mm grid and was surprised at the differences.!! Thou mine was an easy surface has I only had to do the strips.
I had the same problem regards cutting the whole area but actually it works out good because the shoulder it leaves acts has a parallel reference edge for X & Y.