Hi all,
I am relatively new to the space and have not had the opportunity to take the HAAS training yet, but I have several sprockets and simple plates I need cut out. I believe these would be best cut on the CNC plasma but it is not quite operational from my understanding. The material would be 12 GA plate steel. Is this possible on the HAAS? Would anybody be interested in helping for some extra cash? If so please contact me at [email protected]. I am fairly proficient at CAD so I can modify the design for limitations. Thanks in advance!
For whomever you find to help you, cutting steel on the HAAS is possible, but it requires coordinating with @bgangwere to swap out the tools in the caddy for steel approriate tooling. You will also need some kind of sacrificial sub plate to mount your steel on. Cutting the pieces out will require some additional means to secure the parts before they are completely cut free so that they do not fly into the cutting tool and jam it.
Thank you for the advice! Do you have a suggestion where is a good place to
buy the steel in small quantities?
Most of the questions related to the machine shop and work in it are pre-answered on the wiki. Well worth spending some time perusing the site!
https://dallasmakerspace.org/wiki/Machine_Shop_Committee#Metal_Suppliers
The first step will be providing a solid model of the parts. If you want to cut multiple parts at once, like your picture, an assembly should work. Inventor or Solidworks will probably be the best file types to use.
As Walter said: Fixturing is the trick w/ plate. Especially thin plate. If this were my project (assuming I understand the drawing), I’d drill and tap holes in a subplate corresponding to at least 2 holes on each of these pieces. Then I’d drill the holes in the pieces, bolt it to the subplate, and finally cut the pieces out. I’d probably add some holes in the resulting scrap as well to hold it in place once it’s cut free from the pieces.
This isn’t the only way to do it, just how I would. The adventurous might have a go w/ double-sided sticky tape.
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Thank you. I originally drew it up in Inventor but was unsure of the best file type to use with the HAAS, so I went simple. Does the sub-plate need to be steel as well? would it be easier to make a template for each piece and run the program several times to get all the parts as opposed to cutting them all at once or would that be preference?
The subplate could be anything but wood, as long as it’s millable and strong enough.
The only problem cutting them all at once is that the program might be too large to fit in memory. That’s not a show stopper, but is kind of a pain.
Would the pictured set up work? It would consist of 4 plates stacked and mounted to a fifth plate with a wider base to attach to the table. Each piece would be attached with at least two screws as well as the scrap piece. The pieces consist of two size holes the smaller 7/64" and the larger 5/16" and the slots to cut out the pieces. What would be the best tool to slot with and what size would it be for make sure I have enough room between parts? Thanks again for the help!
First: I don’t think I’ve mentioned it yet, but I am not a machinist. Just want to get that out of the way.
If it were me I’d add a 4th screw to the scrap in the upper right. And 7/64" is awful small. You’d have to use a #4 or smaller screws, and I question the ability of those to hold against the milling forces. I’d make the scrap holes the same 5/16, and use that to hold the pieces down for the second setup. Also; I don’t see any slots, so I’m not sure what your question is in that regard. The real question is what tolerances do you need? Can the holes be drilled, or do you need them milled (for a higher degree of accuracy)? If they can be drilled, then the limiting factor is the smallest inside radius. Looks like that would be on those sprockets. What is that radius?
The input is appreciated regardless. Drilling is definitely acceptable. I will adjust to use the larger holes as the support points. The smallest radius on the project is 0.1". My apologies when I say slot I mean the cut to trace the outline of cuts. I don’t know the technical term or the proper tool to cut that. I assume any mill tool that has a diameter smaller than 0.2" would be sufficient to cut the parts?
Then this should work. You are correct, we’ll need to use an end mill smaller than 200 thousandths… 3/16 or 1/8, most likely. And we’ll have to load an end mill capable of cutting steel, and honestly I’m not sure if we have one. But it won’t be that expensive.
This seems like a fun project, I’d be willing to take it on for you. Send me the CAD file and I’ll work on it. My email is [email protected].
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Walter,
I was in the Bridgeport class last week and briefly discussed my little project. I was going yo try and get the assembly made this evening and didn’t know if you were going to be up at the space? I would feel much more comfortable with some help to make sure I do it right.
No I wasn’t planning on being at the space this evening. I will be around tomorrow even and could help before or after the Colchester class I am giving.
Great I will be up there tomorrow. Thanks again
