|
|
Post by electron on Dec 14, 2017 2:46:35 GMT
Howdy everyone. I am a new user to Millright CNC, and a first time CNCer. I am still getting the hang of things, have done some aluminum facing and learned a lot of stuff in Fusion 360. I got some free plastic cases at work for bits that we normally toss out and decided they would make great cases for my endmills. Here are a few photo's. I have an M3, used an 1/8 V-Bit, somewhere around 20k rpm at 39 IPM. This is actually the bit in the box that I used. It's a Dremel bit. Thanks for checking it out. Attachment Deleted  |
|
|
|
Post by jreimers on Dec 14, 2017 3:11:14 GMT
Nice 1st project.
|
|
|
|
Post by aforww on Dec 14, 2017 3:18:08 GMT
Good job
|
|
|
|
Post by electron on Dec 14, 2017 3:34:29 GMT
Thank you, I'd say most of the time was the fusion 360 cad, trying to add my v bit tool for cam (holy crap that was a pain!) and then figuring out the engrave option in cam. I think I didn't quite specify the correct depth of cut for the operation because the millright logo didn't come out solid like I would have hoped. This plastic sucks to cut, its very stringy like a nylon or something similar. The detail would have been a lot better with a stiffer material but I don't have to really tell any of you that. My next project will be to engrave aluminum, maybe a Keychain.
I have a few quick questions in regards to that, how do you guys clamp down small aluminum pieces on something like an M3? I have a low profile vice but it collides with the x carriage. The wood clamps cover too much of the part and I'd certainly cut into them. Double sided tape works OK but the part moves (hysteresis) during passes. It will NOT work for heavier milling, the aluminum pops right off the bed and turns into a projectile. Is there any good tricks I'm missing here? Thanks again.
|
|
|
|
Post by aforww on Dec 14, 2017 3:47:19 GMT
I have great success with the CA glue painters tape method. You can also look into vacuum clamping tables. They are excellent for what you're describing with aluminum.
|
|
|
|
Post by Derek the Admin on Dec 14, 2017 5:29:21 GMT
Good work.
How small a piece of aluminum are you talking? As Aforww mentioned, vac clamping is an option, but it can’t be too terribly small. We have some that we are going to list when we get past the holiday rush.
You could also mill up a special fixture to hold it.
|
|
|
|
Post by electron on Dec 14, 2017 10:45:31 GMT
Something around 2x2x1 inch, I'm milling aluminum cast billets from melted soda cans, I'm using a muffin tin for the pour. I don't know what the grade of the metal is, but it doesn't make great for machining. I did a facing operation with a 1/4 flat endmill and I get a stairs step on the surface which I discovered is from not having the tool perfectly perpendicular to the part so I spent a lot of time tramming. Front to back is good (tweaked x rails) but left to right is a problem as I can't seem to keep the router mount tight and taking it back apart isn't something I want to do considering how difficult it was to assemble. I'll probably end up taking it apart anyways, but once it's tight I can't loosen it to adjust so...not sure how to tram it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bones M&E on Dec 14, 2017 19:40:17 GMT
Very nice work, I'm waiting on my M3 now, new to cnc as well, This gives me hope, seeing all the other new cnc'ers like yourself doing such good work kinda eases the fear  ... You did an awesome first job. |
|
|
|
Post by electron on Dec 14, 2017 23:44:01 GMT
Very nice work, I'm waiting on my M3 now, new to cnc as well, This gives me hope, seeing all the other new cnc'ers like yourself doing such good work kinda eases the fear ... You did an awesome first job. I came from seven years of 3D printing. CNC shares a few similarities, but are completely different animals and CNC is by far harder and more rewarding. The precision I can achieve with material removal far quickly exceeds material deposition. The cut is also way faster, but the setup takes way longer. These are prices I'm willing to pay for what this little machine can do. |
|
...