Team 5026 Iron Panthers Present: Deadliest Catch

[alicerao]

We are proud to present our 2014 FRC Aerial Assist Robot! This is our rookie year and we're excited to join the FIRST community!

Deadliest Catch

Check out our robot release video here.

Also, our video to sum up our build season can be found here.

[bobcroucher]

Super impressive robot for a rookie year. And you even had time for an unveil. Congrats!

[alicerao]

Thank you!

Our first competition is next week, wish us luck

[Bruceb]

is that your CNC router? can you tell me what bit you were using? What transit speed, plunge speed and spindle speed you were using?
What is the depth of cut per pass?
Thanks

[Ian H.]

Originally Posted by Bruceb

is that your CNC router? can you tell me what bit you were using? What transit speed, plunge speed and spindle speed you were using?
What is the depth of cut per pass?
Thanks

We're a rookie team so our process has been evolving constantly. In the video it is a 3/16" spiral O bit (we purchased them here http://www.toolstoday.com/p-5801-sol...uter-bits.aspx , part number 51478).

Feed with this setup was 30 IPM feed, 2 IPM plunge, 0.07 depth of cut and either 13000 or 16000 RPM I can't remember. For this cut we did a contour of the hole instead of a helical bore.

We use mastercam, if you do too, check out our mastercam files here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/h7jbyoq3w...HiVc/mastercam

We started breaking bits once we ramped up our manufacturing of parts, so I think we're going to switch to a cheaper 1/8" bits from amazon in a pinch and I haven't found a supplier yet. The rigidity of our machine is not great, it's a 24"x30" cnc router, with variable speed 13000 rpm - >20000rpm. We're making parts, and still breaking bits. Any advice?

We've switched to 0.03 depth of cut or less to help reduce breakage. We don't have enough data and aren't being scientific enough to really tell what is giving us better results yet. But time will tell.

[JamesCH95]

Very cool, how did you come up with the idea of a catching robot like that?

At around 0:25 in your video I see someone is lining up to drill a hole with the power cord resting against the drill bit. Might want to review safe use of power tools with your team!

Originally Posted by Ian H.

We're a rookie team so our process has been evolving constantly. In the video it is a 3/16" spiral O bit (we purchased them here http://www.toolstoday.com/p-5801-sol...uter-bits.aspx , part number 51478).

Feed with this setup was 30 IPM feed, 2 IPM plunge, 0.07 depth of cut and either 13000 or 16000 RPM I can't remember. For this cut we did a contour of the hole instead of a helical bore.

We use mastercam, if you do too, check out our mastercam files here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/h7jbyoq3w...HiVc/mastercam

We started breaking bits once we ramped up our manufacturing of parts, so I think we're going to switch to a cheaper 1/8" bits from amazon in a pinch and I haven't found a supplier yet. The rigidity of our machine is not great, it's a 24"x30" cnc router, with variable speed 13000 rpm - >20000rpm. We're making parts, and still breaking bits. Any advice?

We've switched to 0.03 depth of cut or less to help reduce breakage. We don't have enough data and aren't being scientific enough to really tell what is giving us better results yet. But time will tell.

Using GWizard (which I strongly encourage you to get) I find that you should be running around 30IPM, 20k rpm, 0.03in cut depth.

At 13krpm you should be running a feed rate of 19.5IPM and .03in DOC.

This is assuming a 3/16 OD single-flute carbide cutter in 6061-T6 aluminum. Any changes to these parameters would necessitate a recalculation of your feed, speed, and DOC.

Single-flute cutters REALLY don't like plunging. I would try pre-drilling plunge holes or learning how to do helical interpolations. Made a big difference on my router.

Also, an air blast and/or some decent coolant will go a long way. You also have to keep the cut clear of chips, chip re-cutting is death for a router.

[Safety Sophie]

Wow.. really great job guys!