Hello from Nottingham

[deadmeat30]

Yeah it does a good job. Certainly been useful for my casting. In the first picture I posted, you can just see the side of the centrifugal machine, the press is just out of shot. Yeah I'll be making full 3d models. So both sides of the moulds will have details.

[Rogue]

Just wanted to say that your 3D modelling is impressive! If you went anywhere near your local Warhammer club with those completed models, the locals may start to worship you as a minor deity.

[deadmeat30]

Hehe, they aren't my sculpting skills, I get good sculptors to do them. I just print and cast.

[Rogue]

Fair enough. A well cast piece can still be a challenge, especially with that level of detail and complexity, so I'm still impressed!

[deadmeat30]

Now is this little CNC frame a good start?

CNC Design Limited - CNC Desktop Router

[Robin Hewitt]

I started down the DIY injection tool path and I got a bit stuck. I got as far as cutting simple shapes with the tiny tooling but never quite figured out the software.

It's the tiny tooling that puts in the fine detail which I found tricky, once you get down to sub mm you have to creep along and pray. You can't see what is happening because you are pumping in so much cutting fluid to clear the "chips" and keep it cold.

I ended up with a modified Roland CAMM-3 but I'm not sure that is the tool for the job.

I got a severe attack of confidence before I understood the problem.

I presume you are planning to inject at the mould break line rather than use a sprue?

Have some links...

Blackburns Metals Limited - Mould Plate - Alumec
DMS-Diemould | Serving mouldmakers, moulders and diecasters worldwide
Berger Tools

[deadmeat30]

Thanks for the reply Robin,

Yeah its the tooling that has me most worried, i can see it being a steep learning curve!

I linked the machine above, would that be more suited? bearing in mind this machine will only be used for cutting aluminum 95x95mm plates.

Yeah the Arburg will be injecting at the mould break, im thinking of having an internal sprue on it. Its something ive goto research, but there isnt much information on the net.

Thanks for the links! I was going to use HASCO in germany for the mould blocks, but the DMS looks rather interesting, and do the size i need!

[deadmeat30]

Thanks for the very insightful and detailed post jazzcnc.

So it is go big, or go home? That darton machine does look pretty amazing. What's the kind of price is involved with that?

The custom route seems the way to go, but as you say, its something for someone with a good background in machining and a sound knowledge in CNC machine. Of which I have neither :(.

I still think in the long run of things, getting the CNC machine will be cheaper than getting the moulds cut by a 3rd party time after time.

I guess time will be the teller. I still would love to do a CNC machine.

[JAZZCNC]

So it is go big, or go home?

No it's GO strong and quality or go home.!!

That darton machine does look pretty amazing. What's the kind of price is involved with that?

Like John S said to me recently " If you have to ask price you can't afford it.!!! Don't think I could afford a Datron catalogue never mind machine.!!. . .Lol

Building your own CNC machine is still do able even if you haven't got the tools, it will just mean a bit more money has you'll need to pay others to help make parts for you. I make loads of stuff for folks who haven't got the tools but yet build perfectly fine machines.

The design will be important to you because you need maximum rigidity. The fact you only need small cutting area makes this so much easier.
Far easier to build a strong machine when small then it's just a case of choosing the correct components to match to it.

The knowledge to design correct machine is all here on the forum you just have to look thru the threads and soak up the knowledge.
If you do decide to DIY then straight away start a build thread and start asking questions not matter how daft they sound, we will help and guide you to the correct result.!!. . . . . JUST DON'T RUSH IT.

[deadmeat30]

Thanks for the advice JAZZCNC. I'll be spending tonight looking through the build logs.

Great link thanks robin, what's the software your using? Love messing about and learning stuff.

Regards,

Alan