CNC613: Ottawa CNC!

CNC613 is a group of CNC enthusiasts in Ottawa.

Here’s a quick video of the machine in action!

 

What’s a CNC Cutter/Engraver?

It’s an great way to cut or engrave many materials. They’re more affordable than lasers and work with more materials.

They can also make circuit boards.

Or you can attach other tools such as a pen!

CNC613 Purpose

Useful desktop CNC cutters have become affordable for individuals and hackspaces but with the hype of 3D printers they are often overlooked.

This project is to give people guidance and experience so they can get through the learning curve quickly.

Also to offer the technology in a communal environment so they can see different applications and share within a wider community. This experience will allow them to become comfortable with purchasing a machine or continue communally.

The scope is limited to softer materials such as hardboard, acrylic (plexiglass), poly-carbonate (lexan), cardboard, woods, plastics, vinyl, and so forth with cutters 1/8″ diameter and less. The scope is also directed towards free or opens source software tool chains. People can cut what they want but workshops and any support will be focused on these constraints.

The audience is artists, makers, engineers and everybody who wants to join the maker movement and increase knowledge and experience in making things.

Tooling

Generic 6040 three axis systems are affordable and very useful.

Cost

Endmills (cutters) are not included people will use their own endmills.

 

CNC Software Toolchain

I’ll be showing how to use Sketchup with Sketch-u-cam to do cutting on the CNC machine. That process is described on the Software Toolchain page.

Endmills

These are the cutters. They range from $1 to $20 mostly around $5-12 and can be procured locally and mail ordered.

Local supplier: Leger Tools near Lee Valley

Mail Order: Ebay (various suppliers).

Not to endorse any brand or seller but I’ve had some good luck buying from drillman1 on ebay.

V-carve example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/152126700891

Recommended Starting Kit

This machine will have an ER11 chuck which means that it accepts 1/8″ shank endmills.

  • 1/8″ two flute
  • 1/16″ two flute downcut (10) – 1/16″ (.0625″) CARBIDE 2 FLUTE ENDMILLS, DOWNCUT FOR SOFT PLASTIC
  • 1/32″ two flute downcut ((10) – 0.80mm (.0315″) CARBIDE 2 FLUTE ENDMILLS, SOFT PLASTIC – DOWNCUT)

Related

endmill suggestions: http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/Endmills#Specific_Bit_and_Brand_Recommendations

list of vendors: http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/Vendors#End_mills

Changing the cutter:

About cutters

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