CNC routing a stack of laminate - GIF

CNC routing a stack of laminate.

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Previously:

https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...873#post198560
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...236#post195995
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...943#post183808
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...047#post187518
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...905#post198704

I Guess it wasn't cut right the first time

Oh that's nice. I have a little 2 ft x 4 ft router table and when I try to do cuts deeper than a few mm it chatters like crazy. But x-y-z is on the head. This one has the end mill supported at both ends so it doesn't chatter, and the workpiece moves. That's pretty good.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nova_robotics

Oh that's nice. I have a little 2 ft x 4 ft router table and when I try to do cuts deeper than a few mm it chatters like crazy. But x-y-z is on the head. This one has the end mill supported at both ends so it doesn't chatter, and the workpiece moves. That's pretty good.

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Likely has extraordinarily higher RPM range, and swarf isn't helical, so that's probably a D-bit cutter.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Toolmaker51

Likely has extraordinarily higher RPM range, and swarf isn't helical, so that's probably a D-bit cutter.

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I'm just a newbie and have never used a d-bit cutter. I tried out a bunch of HSS and carbide on plastic (acetal), but just out of the thirty oddball small end mills or so I had on hand. I'm using carbides right now, not for any reason other than it worked slightly better than the HSS end mills I found in the junk drawer. I have a water cooled 2HP spindle on my little router and I can't quite figure out how to get the inverter to work properly, so it's just maxed out all the time at 24,000 RPM. I'm cutting acetal and it's a little fast. The chips come off pretty hot. You figure a d-bit would be better? I'm slightly worried about balance because the thing is running at a kajillion RPMs.

Generally, carbide milling cutters are slightly sharper than HSS, partly because higher density. Solid D-bits are available in either material, larger diameters are cemented (brazed).

D-bits are de rigueur for engraving. depending on diameter-material-depth. RPMs can exceed 24k. They are typically tapered and ball end.
A D-bit is technically 100% clearance, providing straightest, shortest chip ejection compared to helical, but restricts maximum depths. As depth increases, the need of efficient chip ejection increases at greater ratio because volume and heat retention. Thermo-sets are less problematic than thermo-plastics.

The balance issue is counteracted by mass in the drive, especially round belt types of full size pantographs.
I'd suspect armature and distance between bearings is good for any bits your spindle (and collets) accommodate.

[QUOTE=Toolmaker51;199850]Generally, carbide milling cutters are slightly sharper than HSS, partly because higher density. Solid D-bits are available in either material, larger diameters are cemented (brazed).

I've always understood HSS cutters are sharper than carbide. But carbide tooling is harder, so you can (and should) increase the depth of cut and/or surface speed, and carbide tooling holds a decent edge longer. On the lathe, I sometimes switch over to HSS from carbide on a final skim pass to make the finish nicer. Of course, that could be because I'm on the bottom end of the recommended power, speed, and material removal ranges for carbide cutters and right in the sweet spot for HSS. On the wood lathe, too, carbide cutters give a reasonably good finish, while a sharp HSS tool can give a really fine finish.

Am I misunderstanding or misremembering something? It could easily be I've got all this confused...I mean, there was this one time I thought I was wrong, but it turned out I was mistaken. (buh-dum-bump!)

I did mis-phrase statement of carbide vs HSS.
HSS starts out sharper, carbide will normally maintain edge longer; but when it starts to chip the decline is rapid. This is noticeable in cutters that actually 'cut', such as endmillls.

Razor edged carbide turning tools are a minority, it doesn't find simultaneous side and radial loads a kindly environment. That is a better way to observe how they work removing material; HSS cuts, carbide pushes.