Quote:
Originally Posted by Monochron
Would smaller (say roughly 1' x 1') sheet metal parts be appropriate for a CNC mill? Something like a side support on a manipulator or shooter? I ask because our team may be building a shooter during the offseason and we were hoping to use a CNC mill to cut a structure out of sheet metal.
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You won't learn anything without trying. I would focus on the best method of workholding. This is where I see the most issues. Plan out the workholding and keep it safe. What thickness material do you plan on using? You definitely want to take light cuts to avoid digging into the sheet. I think this is the most risk of a good part yield.
OP,
Your machine shop access sounds great! You will find out how to use the machines in due time. Since you are a rookie team, I would suggest starting with a KoP or Vex Drive base and focus your energy on game piece manipulation (don't forget to consider active intake of game pieces) and scoring.
A simple example I can think of is an active intake wheel for a tote. You could:
- start with a box tube,
- drill a hole for a bushing (drill press or mill, depending on accuracy required),
- press the bushing in (shop press/arbor press),
- turn down an aluminum shaft to the appropriate length,
- mill a keyway or broach a keyway (or use a hex shaft that could be turned round to fit in the bushing),
- mount a drive pulley with a key,
- drill holes in the end of each end of the shaft to mount machine screws to hold it all together (lathe),
- machine a motor mount bracket (mill),
- drill mounting points on the box tube for the motor mount bracket (mill),
- become amazed at what you can do with such a shop!
The surface grinder is something I don't think you'll ever use, but if you needed something flatter to within a few tenths (0.000[x] inches) that would be your tool.