11 replies to this topic

[JPete]

I am interested in getting started building and designing some hardware and have the option of purchasing a laser engraver/cutter or a CNC router. Which would be the better one to start out with? I may expand my interests in other areas later but initially I would be working on Quad parts and camera mounts and such...

Thanks,
Pete

[ahds]

Hi Pete,

Glass fiber or carbon fiber material embedded into epoxyd requires a special laser technology, starting at approx. 12-15k€. Another special Problem with laser is "smoke-handling". As material is burned, proper smoke treatment is very sensitiv and expensiv. "Simple" low-cost lasercutters are good for wood, paper, some thin plast-material. Going to metal or "combined materials" it starts to be (very) expensive...
A "water-cutter" could be an option, but is also very expensive.
So I think, a "CNC-Portal-Milling Machine" would be the best and could be used for any material.

rgds Dieter

[JPete]

Thanks Dieter,
I was thinking that cutting small parts on a router would be difficult due to the hold down requirements. Your point is well taken about the inability to cut epoxy resin fiberglass and carbon fiber. What about using plexiglass as a build material? Is it too fragile?
Also is it very difficult to learn to use a CNC mill/router as compared to a laser?

Thanks.
Pete

[jakestew]

I fixed up an older CNC router (QuickCircuit).  Seems to me that hold down was a problem.  Tool costs are also kind of high unless you can find a better source than I did.  I also don't think the life expectancy was all that great when you're milling lots of boards.  Doing the fine SMT stuff we need is also probably a pain.

In the end why use a CNC?  I had one for years and never used it except for doing silly things like copper engraving.

Boards are pretty cheap nowdays, so I think a laser cutter would be a lot more useful.  I'd use it for cutting stencils, as those are a lot more pricey than boards.  If you're going to do a lot of dev work a stencil cutter would be far more useful IMHO.

Cheap boards + cheap stencils is better I think than slightly cheaper boards + expensive stencils.


-Jake

[Stigoe]

Which material are you using for your stencils? I've tried transparencies for color lasers, but I haven't quite found the sweet spot for power/speed, especially for TQFP/LQFP for 0.5mm pitch. I have some 4mil kapton film on order, so I'm going to test with that.

[K Wells]

Did you try thin metal for your stencils?..using a conical diamond cutter

[Stigoe]

No, I was using a laser cutter so using metal is out. :-) I do have s small CNC router, so I guess I could try to find some thin metal and try this, too.

[K Wells]

here is a link that may help

http://www.pfingstco...d.html#taper161

I like the taper diamond burrs on metal....it cuts leaving a nice chamfer

[neobee]

ahds, on 11 January 2012 - 03:05 PM, said:

Glass fiber or carbon fiber material embedded into epoxyd requires a special laser technology, starting at approx. 12-15k€. ...

Hi Dieter,
It seems you know things about laser cutter, can you tell me if this machine have the good technology for cutting G10?
I don't want to buy one but I know there is a factory here who own this one.

[Adverse Effects]

that is a BIG laser cutter and time on it would cost a hell of a lot

[ahds]

Hi neobee,

problem with G10 is the imbedded glasfibre. A laser needs to be adjusted to the material you want to cut. G10 combines at least two materials with extremly different specifications: epoxy and glasfibre. Best would be, to contact those guys and check with them. I don't know the machine you linked. But its not only the machine, its also a certain "knowhow" required to cut things...

@Pete: sorry, I've got no notification of your entry!
Plexi-/Acrylglas = strong enough: 5mm, yes (more weight!). But that material is quite hard (crisp), so its breaks easy into sharp edges. You need to find a brand with right specifications (compromise between hardness and flexibility). I would not use it. Why not use G10, "flight wood" or similar.
Learning cnc/laser = basically the same process: you need to learn about 2D or 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) and how to construct your things using CAD software. After that, you need to learn about CAM (Computer Aided Manufactoring). This brings your sketches to your machinery, its translates drawing data into machine control commands. This step requires knowledge about the machine used und software which knows the machinery. Last step: learn about materials and how your machine can handle stuff. This last step might have a feedback into the first step, as special machinery requires special construction details (max.sizes of workarea, material limitations, cutting parameters, etc.).

But don't be afraid: starting is easy: search for CAD sw, there are cheep packages available, as well as open source projects. Look for a small, maybe used CNC machine and check, if required CAM software is included in the deal! HW might be cheap, additional SW could be expensive!
My advise: start using 2D or "2,5D". Full 3D (you need to controll 4 axis) is really advanced stuff.

Please check your searchmachine for further details - this forum would blow up with CAD/CAM details.

[jean]

hi, i just wonder, can i use my android phone to control my RC helicopter, which is DH9053, i bought it from amazon.