Building a robotics lab
 

We are building a lab for our new FRC team, and we need to give the architect cut sheets and measurements of the tools we will be putting in there. So far we have been looking at threads here and have talked to some local teams (4159, 254, and 2144), so we know the kinds of machines/tools we need but haven't looked at specific models yet. If anyone has cut sheets of these machines or recommendations, it would be super helpful.

The machines we're currently looking at getting are:

• a drill press
• horizontal and vertical band saw
• CNC lathe
• CNC Mill (we've already got one)
• laser cutter (we're looking at the epilog mini 24)

Recommendations for machines/tools not on this list would also be very helpful.

Re: Building a robotics lab
 

CNC router before a CNC lathe or 2nd CNC mill.

Re: Building a robotics lab
 

Can you explain the difference? I thought a cnc router was just a mill for softer/easier to cut materials.

Re: Building a robotics lab
 

A CNC router is typically optimized for cutting sheets of material, and often has a larger space in that regard (for example, the ShopBot at the school 2667 works out of cuts 4'x8'x6" of material). They really are very useful, and high quality ones can cut through aluminum in addition to wood, plastics, or foam. They're really quite nice, and often have different use cases than a CNC mill.

Re: Building a robotics lab
 

CNC router > CNC Mill > CNC Lathe

CNC router is the work-horse of 1678, followed by our manual mills, followed by our CNC 2 Axis Bridgeport, followed by our manual lathes. Then bandsaw, drill press, and chop saw.

Re: Building a robotics lab
 

Since most FRC work is lighter duty cuts, it's a substantially larger work area which is easier to fixture sheet to. This lets you nest many gussets/plates into a single run easily.

Also, it's nice to take advantage of their long travel and build a long vice-style fixture for holding tubing so it can be machined quickly.

A good router can be had for $5k (if good discount), and $15k will get you something pretty solid for FRC.

You're going to have an incredibly tough time getting the same bang for your buck out of a CNC mill in that price range.

Re: Building a robotics lab
 

+1
Our ShopBot has been a tremendous help...for prototyping and especially when iterating components. In 2013 we probably made a dozen versions of our shooter plates.

Re: Building a robotics lab
 

I've been working on a home-made one, as a personal side project.

http://solsylva.com/cnc/25x25.shtml

Nothing to do with FRC, it started before I got involved with FRC, and mine was aimed at cutting wood and was never intended to be used for aluminum. The tolerances are probably nowhere near good enough for detailed robotics work.

Still, if I ever get it done, I wonder if my team would find it handy...

Re: Building a robotics lab
 

A manual lathe is very often more useful than a CNC lathe in FRC. Most FRC turning operations are just cutting stock to length.

Re: Building a robotics lab
 

I would personally suggest adding a CNC plasma cutter to your list. Great for sheet metal parts like gussets and belly pans.

Re: Building a robotics lab
 

Plasma cutters are pretty low tolerance and are generally for steel. I would probably buy a cnc router and a manual lathe then cnc mill. Those are my go to machines in the shop.

Re: Building a robotics lab
 

A good CNC router is far better than a CNC plasma cutter. A CNC router has miles better accuracy and precision. Aluminium is just not a great material to plasma cut, it has a strong tendency to warp due to its thermal characteristics.

Re: Building a robotics lab
 

Adam, do you have any picture of your setup? I'm working on a new clamping setup for ours and I'm looking for ideas.

Re: Building a robotics lab
 

Those of you who have purchased a CNC router, can you recommend your supplier or point of contact at the company. Thanks.

Re: Building a robotics lab
 

What kind of material should the router be able to cut? The ones I see mostly do woods and plastics and maybe aluminum.