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Post by likwidplastik on Mar 21, 2017 15:07:40 GMT
Has anyone tried cutting any thin sheets of carbon fiber (1/8") on this?
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Post by mrbigj on Mar 21, 2017 15:47:12 GMT
Has anyone tried cutting any thin sheets of carbon fiber (1/8") on this? It's on my list of things to do, but I haven't yet. I will say, make sure you have eye/ear protection and a great dust collection system... The fibers in that stuff are nasty. Some stuff I read on another forum recommended 2F end mills or 4F diamon cut end mills. I don't have experience yet, so YMMV... J
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Post by aforww on Mar 21, 2017 15:49:50 GMT
Has anyone tried cutting any thin sheets of carbon fiber (1/8") on this? It will cut it. You have a couple decisions to make with stuff like CF and glassfilled polymers. You can use regular mills but it will wear them out really fast. Or you can use diamond cutters which won't wear down as quickly but cost more. They also create a ton of dust. Good dust collection is an absolute must as the stuff is horrific on your lungs and on the spindle if it's air-cooled. I've seen quite a few folks that will make a water tub and mill the parts in water to control dust.
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Post by mrbigj on Mar 21, 2017 15:57:46 GMT
Has anyone tried cutting any thin sheets of carbon fiber (1/8") on this? It will cut it. You have a couple decisions to make with stuff like CF and glassfilled polymers. You can use regular mills but it will wear them out really fast. Or you can use diamond cutters which won't wear down as quickly but cost more. They also create a ton of dust. Good dust collection is an absolute must as the stuff is horrific on your lungs and on the spindle if it's air-cooled. I've seen quite a few folks that will make a water tub and mill the parts in water to control dust. How do you do this without destroying the machine by covering it in water from the spray coming off the bit? J
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Post by aforww on Mar 21, 2017 16:04:05 GMT
It will cut it. You have a couple decisions to make with stuff like CF and glassfilled polymers. You can use regular mills but it will wear them out really fast. Or you can use diamond cutters which won't wear down as quickly but cost more. They also create a ton of dust. Good dust collection is an absolute must as the stuff is horrific on your lungs and on the spindle if it's air-cooled. I've seen quite a few folks that will make a water tub and mill the parts in water to control dust. How do you do this without destroying the machine by covering it in water from the spray coming off the bit? J It really doesn't sling it all that much. But precautions are needed. I cover the top vents on the box, and my machine is painted with Bedliner so no worries there. Then I blow off everything.
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Post by Derek the Admin on Mar 21, 2017 16:30:53 GMT
Ya, and also the painted version we sell is pretty darn resilient. I lightly use cutting fluid and have more hours on mine than most and don't have an issue.
I will say though that carbon fiber will absolutely eat up high speed steel. You want to look at carbide or diamond. I've cut 4mm (a little bigger than 1/8 inch) carbon fiber and it does just fine with the right cutting tool.
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