CNC Router V1.0 (For Cutting Multiple Materials)

[biketrialsdave]

I might of solved my bed problems! Look what I found in the skip at work today (along with other goodies)... It's 6mm steel plate. The dimensions are perfect for the machine to sit on. The raised area in the middle also looks perfect for mounting a bed (aluminium plate or t-slot plate perhaps?). My only concern is how flat and level the plate is. I was thinking it doesn't matter too much if I skim the aluminium plate (or whatever) with the machine once it's built?

[biketrialsdave]

Decisions, decisions!

[biketrialsdave]

My latest thought is to bolt down a 20mm aluminium plate to the top of the steel raised area (shown in photo). I will then use the machine to skim the surface flat. Then I will use the machine to drill a grid of holes which I can then tap (maybe the router could do this??) for holding jigs and fixtures.

[routercnc]

My latest thought is to bolt down a 20mm aluminium plate to the top of the steel raised area (shown in photo). I will then use the machine to skim the surface flat. Then I will use the machine to drill a grid of holes which I can then tap (maybe the router could do this??) for holding jigs and fixtures.

A plate with holes in should work well. But I don't think the WC spindles have enough torque to tap directly? However, you can try thread milling using a special cutter (~£40), plus your CAM will need to be capable of a spiral cut with user parameters on the pitch:

Forward to 12:23 to see thread being cut:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a43S2y7Ccy8

[JAZZCNC]

My latest thought is to bolt down a 20mm aluminium plate to the top of the steel raised area (shown in photo). I will then use the machine to skim the surface flat. Then I will use the machine to drill a grid of holes which I can then tap (maybe the router could do this??) for holding jigs and fixtures.

Can't imagine that plate is flat enough to be useful and could cause you more trouble than it's worth.?

Personaly I would just buy Machine tooling plate that is ground perfectly flat. Put your Profile etc directly on this and then shim out any error using the nice flat surface for reference. No need to skim flat. Then you can drill tap matrix of holes. Forget tapping with router type spindle no where near enough torque or control to do this unless thread milling. It's nothing of job to do with spiral flute tap in a Cordless drill.

[biketrialsdave]

Can't imagine that plate is flat enough to be useful and could cause you more trouble than it's worth.?

Personaly I would just buy Machine tooling plate that is ground perfectly flat. Put your Profile etc directly on this and then shim out any error using the nice flat surface for reference. No need to skim flat. Then you can drill tap matrix of holes. Forget tapping with router type spindle no where near enough torque or control to do this unless thread milling. It's nothing of job to do with spiral flute tap in a Cordless drill.

Just to clarify...use the machine tooling plate as the bed? The problem I see is they are very expensive? Any links to something appropriate?

Cheers,

Dave

[JAZZCNC]

Just to clarify...use the machine tooling plate as the bed? The problem I see is they are very expensive? Any links to something appropriate?

Cheers,

Dave

Try these people. I deal with Lincoln branch but believe they have place in WH that will give you a quote and you'll find the price of Machine tooling plate isn't that much more than normal plate. Being Cast plate it's much more stable and being ground it's obviously flat so is worth the extra IME.!
http://www.ascmetals.com/

Here's Some I prepared earlier.!!

[biketrialsdave]

Thanks Jazz! Would I get away with 15mm?

I think I need to sit down and consider reducing the size of my machine. I don't envisage (famous last words) doing any large wood projects etc. A bed size of ~400mmx400mm would be more than big enough. Costs would be reduced across the board and I would have more room to manoeuvre around the machine in the shed! The biggest downside I see is that I already have THK linear rails I purchased a few years ago which would need cutting down. Seems a shame to cut them (also, I'm not sure how easy that would be!?).