CNC Router for Aluminum

[Coach Norm]

Originally Posted by jman4747

What spindle/router do you use?

We got the Bosch 1617EVS router and spindle. You will have to order the router separate. If you prefer Porter Cable, it requires the same spindle.

We also got the collets from Precise Bits.

Probotix customer service is great. They answer most questions/emails very quickly and are great on the phone as well.

[kellymc]

Check out cncrouterparts (dot com) for machines, they are located close to Seattle so you could go see the machines and get help, plus they are priced better than shopbot.

I have bought parts from them but I do not have a machine from them

Kelly

[FIRSTgenius]

How do you know what is the best router bit and spindle rpm for each application. Is there a website or resource that provides this information? It is just so confusing to find out which router bit and spindle rpm is best for each application.

[marshall]

You can't go wrong with ShopBot! They are local to Durham, NC and they are one of our sponsors so we love them.

We cut our frame last year using them and the year before we had plates cut using them as well.

You can also use it to make awesome prototypes out of wood and polycarbonate.

All in all, a great machine and the software is easy to use and worth it.

[Dale]

Originally Posted by FIRSTgenius

How do you know what is the best router bit and spindle rpm for each application. Is there a website or resource that provides this information? It is just so confusing to find out which router bit and spindle rpm is best for each application.

This was sent to me from one of the fablous mentors of 2471, Mean Machine. They have the Romax machine and are quite happy with it. It's just smaller than what I'm looking for. They use a single flute 1/8" bit for most things in aluminum.
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Free web app to calc feed and speed. Just a starting point.
http://zero-divide.net/index.php?page=fswizard

Some thoughts on CNC routing aluminum
http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/03/...tting-success/

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by Dale

Thanks Don for the great info. Do you (or anyone else) have an opinion on the ShopBot Buddy, with it's moving work surface, vs the standard gantry ShopBot? Is one more accurate, versatile, or less fussy than another for FRC applications?

The moving gantry system is somewhat more versatile, but they are roughly equivalent. The gantry system also needs 'less' space since the outside edges of the machine are fixed, while the moving table needs some empty space to move into. But again, they're about the same. I can't say if one machine is better than the other though. Cost is a good indicator.

Originally Posted by cxcad

My team has a sheet metal sponsor. Would it be worth it to get a router or a CNC mill? We already have a lathe.

To be honest, a standard mill would be the next choice for me. CNC stuff is not a panacaea, you still need skill to run it, while a manual mill is a lot better educational value...especially if the mill is larger than the CNC version you're considering.

Originally Posted by Coach Norm

. We also got the collets from Precise Bits.

+1 on precise bits.

Originally Posted by kellymc

Check out cncrouterparts (dot com) for machines, they are located close to Seattle so you could go see the machines and get help, plus they are priced better than shopbot.

I have also bought parts from them but not a machine. However their CNC router is not as rigid as I believe necessary.

Originally Posted by FIRSTgenius

How do you know what is the best router bit and spindle rpm for each application. Is there a website or resource that provides this information? It is just so confusing to find out which router bit and spindle rpm is best for each application.

Google "feeds and speeds". There are books and software that allow you to calculate this precisely. You also need to consider "chip load", which is specified by the bit manufacturer. Onsrud.com has some good info on that point, but do some research.

Repeating what I wrote before, the Kronos Robotics KRMx02 machine is probably the best on several levels. I built my 27 x 50 machine for well under $4k, but that was making several parts myself and using the FRC 80/20 discount. For just over $4k* you can get everything pre-made, making it a bolt-together project.

*This includes everything, like software, that's usually excluded from most other similar machines.

[Mulcahy]

Team 987 uses a shop bot buddy for much of our prototyping. It is a fantastic machine for the money. We regularly cut 1/2" aluminium using a 3/16 single flute spiral (50 passes). Of course the mill does a better job on the big stuff, but if your team can only afford one machine, it is a great investment.