Hi guys. Just wanted to share this as an appreciation for all Ryan’s hard work and all the help I have received from everyone in the forums.
I’ve got hundreds of hours on this machine without a hiccup and have paid the machine off more times than I can remember the past year. I’ve taken on more work than this machine can keep up with and am making the jump to a proper full sheet design of my own.
Anyway, I was not sure I was going to be able to make this happen. I’ve milled small 1/4" parts before with success, but did not think that this would actually work. These are the side gantry plates to my new machine. I am honestly surprised at the finish on the edges. This is a 2’x3’ cutting area. The plates are 12" x 18" x 1/2" and they will replace the MDF templates in the new cnc picture
6mm end mill single flute carbide. .025" step down, 13mm/s dw660 at full speed (24k rpm?) . Full depth finishing pass at the same 13mm/s .005". I use a little light oil (remington gun oil) in an aerosol can every other pass or so just because it makes me feel better lol. I don’t think i really even need it
The parts I am cutting are coming out about .015 too large, but those dimensions are not critical for most of the parts I am cutting. I need to measure the end mill to make sure it is actually 6mm. Otherwise (most likely) it may just be the machine flexing a bit. I use a v-bit to dimple the surface as a center punch to drill the holes on my drill press.
I have not had much success with 1/8" bits, as I find they do not clear the chips properly and just re-weld.
The new machine should be quite stout. The gantry will have another set of 3x3" angle irons across the back side for added rigidity. The base is a retired pallet scale, but is perfectly flat and square. It was a bear to get in place at about 550lbs. I will be sure to post a picture when it is up and running.
The Z should not be much of an issue. It is 1/2 x 6" plate and there will be gussets running down the sides to create an I beam of sorts. It is running on Hiwin linear guide rail with 8 medium preload guide bearings. It is super solid now that the aluminum side plates are on. The only bit of deflection I get right now is from the gantry…and I can’t seem to leave well enough alone, so it will end up being reinforced.
The MPCNC is still milling away at all sorts of aluminum parts for it’s big brother!