I finished my build a couple of days ago. I printed the parts over a year ago. Electronics and Hardware also have been lying around for some time. A couple of weeks ago I finally started assembly, everything was working out great. I decided to go with the dual endstop version. I printed some custom part for cable management and some cable chains to make it all look neat.
First test with the pen were a blast! It was square from the first time I used it, which really amazed me.
My main application is cutting Carbon Fiber Plates. Since I did not want to attach a vacuum to get rid of the nasty dust, I build a water container to submerge the carbon fiber plates during cutting - works like a charm and it does not even splash as much as I would have expected.
I use a China Spindle - 400W with ER11 collets and a speed controller. I was surprised by how quiet it is, when running full RPM it is maybe as loud as my vacuum cleaner. I can use my CNC without waking my girlfriend up in the middle of the night - I was totally not expecting that.
Last week I found a great carbon dealer in my area and acquired my first carbon fiber plates.
Just for reference, I used the following settings for my first carbon cutting experiments:
Tool Diameter: 2mm
Horizontal Feed: 8mm/s
Vertical Feed: 3mm/s
Speed: Maximum that the spindle will allow ~30.000RPM
Cut Height: 0.5mm
I have the feeling that I can push it some more, but this settings gave me great results, so I thought, I’d share.
I am very excited about having a machine that works so precise and reliable - this gives me totally new opportunities in making stuff.
Let me know what you think or if you have any questions regarding my build.
Thank you again, Ryan.
Chris