Re: Newbie: How to clamp material to cut shapes out of the center?

Hey Les,
Thanks for the suggestions.
I'll try them out.
PS.
Love SheetCam, been using it and Mach2 for a few months now.
Jim

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Les Newell <lesnewell@h...> wrote:
> Hi Jom,
>
> That can be a problem. One solution is not to cut all the way through.
> Leave 0.002" or so. You can then snap the parts out of the sheet when
> you have finished. It takes a bit of experimentation to get the right
> thickness. The small amount of 'flash' left is easily removed with
> abrasive paper or an abrasive rubber wheel. Another solution is to use
> double sided adhesive tape to hold the sheet down to a sacrificial
> backing sheet. The tape will hold the part in place while you cut it
> out. Depending on the size of the part you may have to use two or more
> passes so that the last pass does not cause enough load to move it.
> Obviously cleanliness is important when applying the tape. This can
be a
> pain if you use coolant.
>
> Another technique is to use holding tabs. On the last pass you don't
cut
> all the way through in two or three places around the periphery of the
> part. You can then snap them out of the sheet when you have finished.
> Again you will need a bit of finishing work.
>
> Les
>
> kaptainkarst wrote:
>
> >I finaly have my CNC machine (ShopTask 3 in 1 machine) "dialed in" and
> >running well.
> >I've done several projects on the lathe and mill and am pleased with
> >the outcome.
> >
> >Now what I want to accomplish is to use the CNC to cut several shapes
> >from a single piece of flat material.
> >
> >