CAD CAM EDM DRO - Yahoo Group Archive

Re: Drives speeds and tooling

Posted by Jon Elson
on 1999-06-30 16:03:00 UTC
rhj-rbj@... wrote:

> From: rhj-rbj@...
>
> Firstly thanks to all the help I have had from members with info on and off line.
> I have query as to suitable drives for router type XYZ table activities for the cutting in 21/2D of aluminium sheet to 2mm (normally 0.7mm),plywoods 1-2mm, styrene and or PVC sheets -2mm.Mostly on plain 'cut out' profiling duties.
> Are speed controlled laminate trimming type routers suitable ie. Hitachi (to 30,000rpm) Bosch etc.
> What would people recommend.
> What speeds are relevant for the above materials?
> Are coolants appropriate?
> What cutters are appropriate for the above materials?

No expert, but I think most people use air jets as the normal coolant, and chip clearing aid.

> Two more off subject questions
> Has anyone had experience of 'Data-cut' XYZ router plans?
> I never hear BobCAD mentioned in this list has anyone an opinion on it? I presume that it may be 'overkill' when compared to some of the others available.

I am running Bobcad/CAM, Ver. 16.1 I wouldn't call it OVERkill, more like UNDERkill.
It DOES work, however. You can do most normal machining type operations, such as
boring holes, pockets of any shape, it computes roughing passes automatically, does tool
diameter offsets, etc. Much of this is semi-manual, and the methods of telling it what to
do are not well described in the thin manuals. But, I've learned how to do it, and it DOES
work, without any errors or malfunctions, in the few pieces I've done. I have some simple
programs that I run directly on the CNC computer, with no graphics, to write G-code for
boring holes, rectangular pockets, circular hole patterns and similar things. These are
just much faster than using a CAD package. But, when the geometry has several surfaces
to blend, or some other complexity, then Bobcad/CAM can do it, and you can see on the
screen that things are going to be in the right place. So, when the geometry is complex
enough that there is a good chance for error working numerically only, then the CAD/CAM
really saves time.

Jon

Discussion Thread

rhj-rbj@x... 1999-06-30 11:59:34 UTC Drives speeds and tooling Jon Elson 1999-06-30 16:03:00 UTC Re: Drives speeds and tooling