Quote:
Originally Posted by notmattlythgoe
What kinds of materials have you been cutting with it? Our team is looking into giving our current mill CNC capabilities, but depending on the cost and space building another one might also be beneficial.
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I cut wood, polycabonate and aluminum. I am using a Hitachi M12VC router and high-speed carbide bits from Onsrud.
Wood is trivial, just about any router bit will do, but upcut bits are best for slots and outlines of parts.
Believe it or not, but polycarb is the hardest to cut, primarily because I am using a 1/8" bit which cannot handle much deflection.
Contrast that with sheet aluminum (6061), with my 1/4" bit I can cut 1/4" thick material single-pass at 50 IPM...As long as the coolant mist and compressed air are on. Chip management is critical for Aluminum, or bits will break.
Repeatability is a few thousandths, but you need to take time and set up the machine carefully.