Equipment/CNC Router
Class Red equipment: Do not use without specific training.
(More about equipment classes)
Summary
A CNC router is a computer controlled shaping machine. These are related to the hand held router. Instead of hand held routing, the tool paths can be controlled via computer numerical control. It is a computer-controlled machine for cutting various hard materials, such as wood, composites, aluminum, steel, plastics, and foams. It is one of many kinds of tools that have CNC variants. A CNC router is very similar in concept to a CNC milling machine. The CNC router is controlled by a computer. Coordinates are uploaded into the machine controller from a separate CAD program
- Capacity: 1200 x 1200 x 120mm
- Rate (X,Y): 6000mm/min (Max) 5000mm/min (Working)
- Rate (Z): 30mm/sec
- Spindle Speed: 4500 to 24000rpm
- Mechanical Precision: 0.01mm
- Spindle Power: 1.5KW Variable Speed, Water-cooled
- Blade Diameter: min 3.175mm, max 12.7mm
- Order Format: HPGL, G code, u00, mmg, plt
- Control System: DSP with USB connection
Here are some examples we've made on the Model Mill (please add a photo of yours any time you do a job!)
Using the CNC Router
Owners
The Owners are those who have volunteered to be in charge of the equipment, organising maintenance, training others to use it, and generally being a point of contact. The current Owners of the CNC Router are:
- Stephen Woolhead
- Chris Abri
- Mark Mellors
- Dave Ansell
- David Bebb
- Simon Sitrley
If you have any questions, problems or concerns around the Model Mill, please use the mailing list thread:
Training
YOU CAN ONLY USE THE CNC ROUTER IF YOU HAVE BEEN TRAINED
and have been added to the Trained Users list by one of the Owners
To get trained on the model mill and be added to the qualified user list, you will need to arrange for a training session with one of the Model Mill Owners.
If you'd like to arrange training, please see:
Health and Safety
The CNC Router is a potentially dangerous piece of equipment which must only be operated by members who have received appropriate training and who take due care. The top things to always remember when using the CNC Router are:
- ONLY USE THE CNC ROUTER IF YOU ARE ON THE LIST OF TRAINED USERS
- NEVER LEAVE THE CNC ROUTER RUNNING UNATTENDED
As a trained user, you should be very aware of the following risks and how to deal with them:
FIRE - Cutting with the wrong settings could result in the material igniting.
TRAPPING - Stand clear of the machine while in motion.
DUST - Ensure extraction system is working.
NOISE - Ensure that you wear the correct PPE when working with the machine for prolonged periods.
Instructions
Feeds & Speeds
Tips & Tricks
Maintenance
The maintenance of the CNC Routeris carried out by the Owners, with some basic maintenance being carried out by Users on every job.
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Log
Installed on 9th May 2013.
Maintenance Shopping List
- Cutters
- Sacrificial Bed (1.2m x 1.2m 12mm MDF)
Further Information
Installation
Installed on 9th May 2013.
Purchase
Full Purchase, Delivery and Installation (£?????)
Original Requirements Notes
- CNC Controlled
- Minimum 4' x 4' cutting bed
- It was generally concluded whilst 8' x 4' would be attractive, it may have limits in terms of floor space and also materials storage and handling - storing and moving 8' x 4' sheets on to a flatbed machine is a pretty impractical task in a full workshop, and certainly not a 1 man job.
- We concluded we could store a lot of sheet material in 4' x 4' and 600 x 900 for the router and laser respectively (and for general use), making storage much more tractable and avoiding the need to cut down such large sheets.
- decent software
Maybe a Vacuum bed
- Would make jobs quicker to setup (except vacuum beds sometimes require a custom 'mask' cutting to cover all the unused holes)
- avoids risk of hitting clamps/bolts
- Will be more expensive (new mask needed for each job?)
- Unsure how "magical" a solution it is
Options
Shopbot
- The defacto FabLab CNC router
- Would be from the [PRS Standard Range]
- Prices are roughly $11500 and $13000 for the 4x4 and 8x4 models
- Ship from US (no distributors), by air or sea, and import duties etc payable
- Quote from Shopbot: approx $15k/£10k + shipping/taxes for 4x4, 8x8 would be approx £2k more
Piranha
- Look like imports, sold by radecal
- Include internal vacuum bed
- Available in 4x4 and 4x8. 4x4 and 4x8 both listed as weighing 800kg.
- 4x8: http://www.radecalmachinesales.com/product.asp?cid=2&scid=&pid=18
- 4x4: http://www.radecalmachinesales.com/product.asp?cid=2&scid=&pid=70
- Quote from radecal: TBC (guessing about £13k and £18k)
HPC Laser CNC
- Not clear what is available or specs; assume it is china import again, but could be interesting to go with HPC given great service
- 1200x1200 looks like it might be: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HPC-CNC-router-1200-x1200-engraver-CNC-Machine-sign-making-UK-stock-/150966295622
Others
| Machine | URL | Price (UKP) | Size - X | Size - Y | Size - Z | Weight | Notes |
| Heiz S400 | link | £1595 | 400 | 300 | 110 | 31kg | |
| Heiz S720 | link | £1995 | 720 | 420 | 110 | 41kg | Videos - Making PCBMachining metalEngraving in wood |
| Heiz S1000 | link | £2395 | 1000 | 600 | 110 | 51kg | £4012 including all options and VAT |
| HPCLaser RC6090 | link | £3750+VAT | 600 | 900 | 65 | 200kg | Up to 24000rpm, 30mm cutting thickness. From same supplier as Laser cutter. Upgraded spindle from one listed. Claimed accuracy of 10 micron. |
Weight gives an indication of stiffness and quality for a given size of machine. Shopbots weight is not listed
