3 ms·

If we could get off-the-self and cheap CNC cutters to deal with aluminum ~2-3mm plates... But I don't think it is possible. A pain to get that DYI keyboard pla

If we could get off-the-self and cheap CNC cutters to deal with aluminum ~2-3mm plates... But I don't think it is possible. A pain to get that DYI keyboard plate (no, I don't want to use a PCB).

jdietrich 3y ago
Depends on your definition of "cheap", but a Shapeoko handles light cuts in aluminium very well. Cheaper routers are readily available on Aliexpress if you don't mind tinkering. https://shop.carbide3d.com/collections/cnc-routers https://shop.carbide3d.com/collections/cnc-routers
- sylware 3y ago
  I did watch some youtube video about "cheap" aluminium cutting (carbide mills), it is far from easy. It seems plasma/high energy laser cutters are a must.
  - jacquesm 3y ago
    Plasma cutting aluminum has challenges all its own. Hydrogen production for one (you can imagine where that's going :) ), and you'll need some shield gas to make it work reliably. Cutting speed is going to be pretty impressive, edge quality not so much compared to a laser.
    - sylware 3y ago
      Then we are back to high energy laser CNC cutter...
      - jacquesm 3y ago
        Yes, for sheet that is the best way. For complex shape it's milling for subtractive and sintering for additive. https://www.btu.com/applications/sintered-metals/ https://www.btu.com/applications/sintered-metals/
jacquesm 3y ago
Cheap, laser and metal cutting are not normally seen in the same sentence... You'll want a beefy fiber laser and an industrial setup with regards to fume extraction, metal vapor isn't exactly healthy to breathe. Operating a machine of that power level in or near a residence is probably not the best idea unless you live remote. For work like that I'd probably outsource it, I do not have enough metal cutting projects that I need that capability in house and in an extreme case I can always break out the jigsaw (or even the grinder...) for a one-off. Not quite as precise but for most stuff I do that would be good enough.

If we could get off-the-self and cheap CNC cutters to deal with aluminum ~2-3mm plates... But I don't think it is possible. A pain to get that DYI keyboard plate (no, I don't want to use a PCB).

jdietrich 3y ago

Depends on your definition of "cheap", but a Shapeoko handles light cuts in aluminium very well. Cheaper routers are readily available on Aliexpress if you don't mind tinkering. https://shop.carbide3d.com/collections/cnc-routers https://shop.carbide3d.com/collections/cnc-routers

sylware 3y ago
I did watch some youtube video about "cheap" aluminium cutting (carbide mills), it is far from easy. It seems plasma/high energy laser cutters are a must.
- jacquesm 3y ago
  Plasma cutting aluminum has challenges all its own. Hydrogen production for one (you can imagine where that's going :) ), and you'll need some shield gas to make it work reliably. Cutting speed is going to be pretty impressive, edge quality not so much compared to a laser.
  - sylware 3y ago
    Then we are back to high energy laser CNC cutter...
    - jacquesm 3y ago
      Yes, for sheet that is the best way. For complex shape it's milling for subtractive and sintering for additive. https://www.btu.com/applications/sintered-metals/ https://www.btu.com/applications/sintered-metals/

jacquesm 3y ago

Cheap, laser and metal cutting are not normally seen in the same sentence... You'll want a beefy fiber laser and an industrial setup with regards to fume extraction, metal vapor isn't exactly healthy to breathe. Operating a machine of that power level in or near a residence is probably not the best idea unless you live remote. For work like that I'd probably outsource it, I do not have enough metal cutting projects that I need that capability in house and in an extreme case I can always break out the jigsaw (or even the grinder...) for a one-off. Not quite as precise but for most stuff I do that would be good enough.