CNC Router Suitable Materials & Chip Load
Get better finishing results on different materials with our CNC Routers. http://am.co.za/ For better routing results, it is very useful to familiarise yourself with the difference between the various materials and the correct chip load data.
Chip Load Rates & Range
Chip load refers to the size of the chip of material cut by each cutting flute each time it passes through the material. http://am.co.za/ Cutting with the appropriate chip load will result in the smoothest finish and will help prolong the tool life as well.
Click here for CNC Router Calculator with Feed Rate, RPM, Tool Bit Diameter, Chip Load and Cutting Depth for each material.
Starting depth of cut is 1 × Diameter ( ⌀ ) of the tool bit. http://am.co.za/ For deeper cuts, follow these guidelines:
- 2 × ⌀ = 75% × Chip Load http://am.co.za/
- 3 × ⌀ = 50% × Chip Load http://am.co.za/
- Deeper cuts than 3 are not recommended, due to the fact that the tool bit may break easily. http://am.co.za/ Well, this depends on your material and the tool bits you have purchased.
Refer to tool bit manufacturer data whenever available. http://am.co.za/ And trust your experience.
Good Materials for CNC Routering Machine
- Softwood
- Include Plywood, Chipboard. http://am.co.za/ Softwood comes from the Gymnosperm trees;
e.g. Pine, Spruce, Cedar, Fir, Larch, Douglas-Fir, Hemlock, Cypress, Redwood, and Yew.
Check below for Softwood v.s. Hardwood. - Hardwood
- Hardwood comes from the Angiosperm trees; http://am.co.za/
e.g. Ash, Beech, Birch, Cherry, Mahogany, Maple, Oak, Poplar, Teak and Walnut. - Supawood
- MDF ( Medium-Density Fibreboard ) , Particle Board
- Soft Plastic
- Refers to polyethylene ( or similar ) soft plastic. http://am.co.za/ The soft plastic can bend or is somewhat flexible. If you drop soft plastic on a hard surface, it will make a muted thump-like sound. http://am.co.za/ Soft plastic usually floats in water. Also, soft plastic usually smells like plastic.
e.g. ABS, Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, PVC, Polypropylene, HDPE, Polystyrene, UHMW and Extruded Acrylic - Hard Plastic
- Refers to polystyrene ( or similar ) brittle plastic. http://am.co.za/ One example of hard plastic is the plastic of a model kit. It breaks if bent. If dropped on a hard surface, it makes a "click" or "tink" sound.
- Acrylic
- Both Coloured and Colourless Cast Acrylic Sheets. http://am.co.za/ These are branded as Perspex Plastic, Plexiglas, FlexiGlass, ACRYLITE, Lucite, Acrylic Glass and many other names.
- Soft Metal
- Aluminium, Copper and 24 Karat Gold ( Who is Routering this?! )
- HPL
- Decorative High-Pressure Laminate, Laminate Floors, Formica, Max on Top. http://am.co.za/
- Phenolic
- Phenol Formaldehyde Resin, Phenolic Panels, Phenolic Boards, PCB Phenolic Prototype Boards. Maritex Aquarius, Bakelite, Novotext and Tufnol Plate. http://am.co.za/
- Low Density Foam
- All kinds of light foam and memory foam. A cubic metre of foam weighing less than 20 kilograms is considered to be low density foam, whereas 20 to 24 kilograms is considered medium density and above 24 kilograms is considered high density. http://am.co.za/ There are no limits to using Low/Medium density foam on CNC Router, use any speed you feel comfortable with.
- High Density Foam
- Ultra High Hardness Packaging Foams. The hardness of foam refers to its firmness and is measured by taking a standard piece of foam and recording how much pressure is needed to compress it. http://am.co.za/ Hardness and density should not be confused with each other as high density foam is not necessarily hard and low density foam is not necessarily soft.
Softwood v.s. Hardwood
| Softwood http://am.co.za/ | Hardwood http://am.co.za/ | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Conifer trees have needles, but normally do not lose them. http://am.co.za/ | Comes from deciduous trees that drop their leaves every year. http://am.co.za/ |
| Uses | Widely used as woodware for buildings ( homes/cabins ) and furniture. http://am.co.za/ | Used for trimmings and furniture but less frequently than softwood. http://am.co.za/ |
| Examples | Examples of softwood trees are pine, spruce, cedar, fir, larch, douglas-fir etc. http://am.co.za/ | Examples of hardwood are mahogany, teak, walnut, oak, ash, elm, aspen, poplar, birch, maple etc. http://am.co.za/ |
| Cost | Softwood is typically less expensive as compared to hardwood. http://am.co.za/ | Hardwood is typically more expensive than softwood. http://am.co.za/ |
| Growth | Softwood has a faster rate of growth. http://am.co.za/ | Hardwood has a slower growth rate. http://am.co.za/ |
| Properties | Less dense; less durable; high calorific values; coniferous trees. http://am.co.za/ | Broad leaves; enclosed nuts; higher density: not all hardwood is hard e.g. poplar and basswood. http://am.co.za/ |
| Type | Evergreen. http://am.co.za/ | Mostly deciduous. http://am.co.za/ Some European evergreen trees that yield hardwood are holly, boxwood and holm oak. |
| Density | Softwood has a lower density, therefore most softwood varieties are softer than hardwood. http://am.co.za/ | Hardwood has a higher density and is therefore usually harder. http://am.co.za/ |
| Shedding of Leaves | Softwoods tend to keep their leaves throughout the year. http://am.co.za/ | Hardwoods shed their leaves over a period of time. http://am.co.za/ |
| Colour | Light http://am.co.za/ | Dark http://am.co.za/ |
| Annular Ring | Distinct http://am.co.za/ | Not Distinct http://am.co.za/ |
| Weight | Light http://am.co.za/ | Heavy http://am.co.za/ |
| Strength | Strong in tension but weak in shear ( strong along the granins ). http://am.co.za/ | Strong in compression, tension and shear ( strong along and across the grains ). http://am.co.za/ |
| Structure | Resinous and splits easy http://am.co.za/ | Non-resinous and close grained http://am.co.za/ |
| Fire Resistance | Poor http://am.co.za/ | More http://am.co.za/ |
| Conversion | Easy http://am.co.za/ | Difficult http://am.co.za/ |
Our CNC Router Products
CNC Router Price
| SKU | CNC Router for Sale | Price | list,Router_CNC |
|---|
© Bates Trust, Advanced Machinery ™
http://am.co.za/ . 2014/01/12 11:01 . [ Homepage | Price List | Visit Us ]
